Concern was prominent on Navia’s face while her dark eyes followed Théadan’s movements as he tried to offer Wyndagar a bribe. Her hand lingered on Vari’s neck, she wanted the horse to get used to them touching her, but Théadan and Wyndagar had her full attention. She just didn’t understand why Wyndagar would act so strangle other than in reaction to finally being off the ship, but he did not seem too upset to resist taking an apple treat from Théadan. Knowing he had bought a few apples while they’d stopped at the fruit stand, Navia procured one for Varinata as well, frowning slightly to herself while she watched the horse gently take the fruit from her palm. “Hmmm….” Navia mulled over what could be Wyndagar’s problem and hoped the apple was enough to gain his permission for Théadan to ride him again.<br/><br/>Unfortunately it did not seem to be the case. No sooner had Théadan tried to take a seat in the saddle was he tumbling back down to the ground. It mad her gasp in alarm, having never seen Wyndagar refuse Théadan so strongly. Only once before had Théadan fallen so roughly and it’d been right after his hands and feet had been injured. He was too graceful for it to be common. He recovered quickly though, coming back up to a stand before she could go over and help, but it was amongst the giggles of some Khluri women heading into the city with their children in tow. Navia shot them an annoyed expression, dark eyes filled with warning, but the women were continuing on their way and Théadan was trying to take hold of Wyndagar’s reins.<br/><br/>“Wyndagar!” Navia gasped in protest when he wedged his big self between her and Varinata. It caused her to drop the reins she’d been holding, but Vari appeared disinterested in leaving and instead snorted her annoyance at being shoved aside by the larger horse. Despite the scowl she sent him, Wyn acted affectionately, giving her shoulder a nibble as if he wasn’t acting rudely toward Théadan. He even pushed closer when Théadan questioned his motives, causing Navia to lose her footing a little and stumble a couple steps. “You’re being rude,” she chided the horse as if he’d understand, her frown deepening before she looked to Théadan for what they should do about Wyndagar’s behavior. It seemed the only answer was for her to ride him and Théadan to ride Vari however. If Wyndagar was pushing up to her and nibbling at her, she figured he’d probably let her ride him. Sighing and sending Théadan a brief look of exasperation, Navia rolled her eyes and turned to gather up Wyndagar’s reins.<br/><br/>In truth, Navia had been excited to see how Varinata would do with riding. She knew Wyndagar would not act so obstinately forever and she would get her chance, but she had been a tad jealous to watch Théadan ride Vari first. The first couple hours of riding had been fun. They’d tested to see how fast Vari could run, then spent some time walking side by side on the dirt path so the horses could recover and they could enjoy the Khluri countryside. Traveling would be easier with the ability to use the rudimentary roads between towns instead of picking through forestry like they had in Mes’Mo’Tan. The further east they went the more distressing their travels became however. Less people were on the road with them and places where Navia figured people would be living nearby appeared deserted. It wasn't until they were nearly an hour from the Taluja family home that Navia finally understood while towns appeared abandoned in the distance. They came upon the outskirts of one and the destruction was clear. Fields surrounding the town where farmers probably fed the entire town population were black and charred from obvious fires. A few houses peppered amongst the fields had been burnt as well, parts of them barely standing. The road they followed Yed to allow passing travelers to choose between entering the town and continuing with their journey and it was there Navia brought Wyndagar to a stop.<br/><br/>“Where is…” Her hands clutched Wyndagar’s reins, eyes taking in the rubble of the Khluri town. The pretty buildings were charred and disfigured, what should have been a bustling town in the bright of the afternoon had only the noise of birds calling in the distance. Just before the entrance, on the side of the road, was a mound of earth rising from the flat ground, wide and the length of a couple horses. The grass there seemed newer, sparser, and just in front of it, only couple feet in height and simple in its craftsmanship, was a statue of a bird. At the base, flowers of all colors had been laid. She did not have to see its key features, the spotted wings carved into stone and the curved hook of the beak, to know it was of an eagle, and Navia released a stuttered breath. Horror alight in her features, she turned in her saddle to face Théadan.<br/><br/>“I…” She knew he had fought in the war, had forgiven him and come to terms with it, but actually seeing some of the grisly results was still jarring. How she wished they weren’t atop horses, that she could bury her face in his chest and cry for the lost lives of her people, but seeing what the Mes’Mo’Tanians had done to one town made her all the more determined to find out if her friends were okay or if Rhodon had destroyed them too. The need to move on and the desire for comfort warred in her, causing her to hesitate in what to do. “We have to keep going,” Navia finally said with tears flooding her eyes, voice thick with her emotions as she urged Wyndagar to continue with a gentle prod with her feet, “<i>Arash</i>, Wyn.”