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  Indira was tired. And sweaty. And caked in dirt and dust. She'd been out in the Barrens with Fleet for what had felt like a long time. It had probably been her longest journey to date. It had been hard, but she'd pushed herself past where she thought her body could go. And she'd felt her magic deep. A clear reward from Grandfather Tree, for staying to the path. But it had been time to return to Homewood, so here she was. Before she found a place to clean up and go to sleep she wanted to check in on the foal she'd found. Indira was sure that the little thing was now nearly on the cusp of adulthood. How time had flown. Indira was sure that the nannies of Homewood had been seeing to her upbringing, ensuring she was safe and educated. A good life for a foal. Indira was keen to see how Aisling was progressing. She'd taken the little one to the Barrens, and been impressed. It still felt a little foreign to Indira to have someone to check in on that wasn't Fleet. But it felt good. Fulfilling, really.  Fleet was perched on her shoulder. "You looking forward to seeing her, Indira? Is she going to come with us into the Barrens again? Travel with us?" This was something that had been stuck in Indira's mind fro some time. Perhaps this was a noulicorn she'd be able to travel with. To do good work with. An interesting thought. "Perhaps, Fleet. We'll need to see what path Grandfather Tree sets before her. For all we know she'll be called to protect Homewood, or raise foals ..." Things that were very foreign to Indira.  As she traveled down a well worn path to a little meadow she wondered how she'd find the little foal. Probably not so little anymore. Ahead the sun broke through the trees, shedding warm light on a lush meadow. A favourite of the nannies, Indira had come to know. Aisling had probably spent many a day in the little place. Safe, comfortable, good for playing. She could see a few foals frolicking, making the best of the day. They all seemed quite young. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a soft pink noulicorn, resting in the shade. She looked like an older foal, nearly ready to face the trek to Grandfather Tree. Perhaps Aisling was nearby ...  Indira cast her eyes across the meadow, and eventually located the foal. She was on the margins, near some trees. She stood far apart from the younger foals. Indira frowned for a moment. Perhaps that made sense. Most of the others looked too young to be playmates, really.  "Aisling!" She called out, trying to attract her attention. The pointed foal clearly heard her, and quickly began to trot over. Indira could feel Fleet in her mind, and the jack hop's sense of pride.  "She really is nearly grown." Indira nodded. Aisling had broken into a gallop, covering ground between them as quickly as she could. The foal was still in that gangling phase, but she did seem to be approaching the end of it.  Indira wondered if it would even be another season before she was ready to go to Grandfather Tree ...

Rosaline was intent on doing a good job. A very good job. This was the largest group of foals that she'd ever been assigned to, and she was determined not to make any major mistakes. Normally she was entrusted with one or two foals, but today she had nearly ten under her care. No matter that they were in an incredibly safe grove, and that most of the foals were a little bit older ... or a lot bit older in the case of one, it was still a lot of responsibility. In a way she felt proud. She was doing well enough at her job that her responsibilities were already increasing. And she hadn't even been here a season yet! She smiled softly. This truly was exactly what she was meant to be doing. Rosaline was utterly sure of it.

She kept a watchful eye on the little ones playing, and occasionally glanced up at her older charge. A foal who'd been found out in the Barrens, of all places! Rosaline could hardly believe that a foal had managed to survive out there. Her parents had emphasized what a dangerous place the Barrens were, and how she should never under any circumstances venture out alone. But a little foal had made it! What a marvel. Rosaline shook her head as her eyes scanned the grassy area.

Suddenly, the very foal she'd been thinking about broken into a trot. Rosaline frowned. That was unlike Aisling. Usually she just kept to herself. Perhaps she was busy thinking about her home in the Barrens, and getting back to it. It did make Rosaline curious. She'd have to ask the foal again about what it had been like ... She didn't rush after her, she just trailed her at what felt like a respectful distance. But she certainly wasn't about to let her out of her sight. Just then she noticed another noulicorn. Dirty and sunburnt looking. Aisling was running straight towards her. Rosaline picked up the pace. Aisling didn't have any family, so who was this?

The pair seemed to talking. Rosaline approached. She wasn't about to let anything happen to a foal under her watch! The adept then seemed to address her. Rosaline put on a wide smile. "I'm Aisling's nanny. And you are?" Aisling seemed to know this noul, but Rosaline certainly didn't.

Rosaline shifted nervously, unsure of how to answer this stern adept. She clearly knew the foal ... Was this the noulicorn who'd found the wayward youngster? That made sense, Rosaline supposed. She did her best to meet the noulicorn's intense eye contact, but it was a struggle. And in truth, she was unsure how to answer. It was just her job to watch the little ones. That was all! She was doing the best she could!

And then the other adult just turned around and left! Rosaline gaped as her charge followed, without a single look back to her. How was she going to explain this to the other nannies? Surely this wouldn't count as her having lost a foal ... Aisling clearly knew this noulicorn. And it was true, Aisling was on the very cusp of adulthood. Feeling a little shaky, Rosaline turned back to the rest of her charges, who were busy playing tag in the meadow. They seemed to have totally ignored the little ... situation. Rosaline tried taking a few deep breaths to steady herself. She would just have to explain as best she could. Aisling had gone off with her ... guardian? friend? She was old enough to do so. At least Rosaline was pretty sure. 

Now guilt was settling in. Perhaps when Aisling was young, still unsteady on her feet she should have been left in Homewood, but now Indira was sure she'd just been neglecting her upbringing. She had no parents to ensure that she learned how the world worked. Learned that she needed to be dedicated to Vykeli ... Now Indira needed to make up for lost time. 

"I know you're almost grown, so I think now I need to focus more on teaching you. About the world. About what you must do in it. It's very important, you know. Soon you'll be ready to go to Grandfather Tree. I think we'd best make sure you're ready to receive you gift. I'm sorry if I've let you down, but I won't let you down again." Indira looked back at her, and smiled. It was a tired smile, but she meant every word. 

Fleet poked at her again. "Don't be so hard on yourself Indira. Perhaps this is what Grandfather Tree wanted all along. Aisling got to have a nice foalhood, but now it's time for her to learn more. We've come back at the perfect time." 

Indira flicked her mane, considering the words of her bonded. Perhaps it wasn't too late.