He had been gone longer than he thought. Relic paused outside the cave that held special meaning to him. It was the same cave that he'd forged a bond with the mare Jessamine. He was sure that fate had led him straight into the mare's path when he had unknowingly stolen her cleaver. That mistake had quickly been rectified when she had found him. There had been tension at first but slowly he had broken down the walls that the mare had erected around her fragile psyche.
It was perhaps that bond that kept them together for a little while. He had been careless though. Within a small period of time he had begun to notice physical changes in Jessamine. She had developed a certain roundness to her belly that he couldn't help but ignore. He knew what it signified though. Jessamine was with foal. There was no doubt in his mind that he was the father.
Relic shook his head and pushed the memories aside. It would not do well to dwell on the past. Only the present mattered to him right now. He had left a few days ago to find a meal that Jessamine could sink her teeth into. She had insisted on staying in the cave to watch over the three baskets tucked into a corner. It wasn't an unusual request so Relic had left her alone. That had apparently been his first mistake.
A shaky breath was drawn in as Relic took in the empty cave. The scent of copper in the air surrounded him and he let loose with a loud string of curses. His satchel lay forgotten on the ground as the once proud Relic became increasingly frustrated. Jessamine had disappeared. Where had she gone? The stallion gave an anxious snort as he entered the cave only to receive his second shock; the baskets were gone. Frantic now Relic scanned the interior of the cave before his eyes lit on a pale glimpse of white. He numbly approached the scrap of color before exhaling. There was one of the baskets. He looked around more carefully but it seemed as if this basket had been left behind. Relic gazed at it longingly as he felt the heart inside of him break. Where had Jessamine taken the other two baskets and, more importantly, why had she taken them. Obviously the connection that they had shared was weaker than Relic had thought. Abandoning his previous task Relic gently nosed at the remaining basket. Inside lie one of his children; small and helpless. There wasn't anything he could do for the other missing two. But this one; Relic would see to it that he would instruct his son or daughter in the ways of his craft.
The stallion stood thoughtfully for a moment before taking the darkest piece of cloth off his body. Perhaps he would find someone to fashion a gift for his future child. Relic dropped the fabric gently over the basket before lying down and nestling with it against his body. He would not risk this basket being taken away from him.
