Dragon snorted, with amusement.

"So eager to be off, child-? Remember us fondly, when you are grown. Come; I will carry you as far as the exit so you don't sink."

The alligator turned, pushing back to fall fully back into the water channel, so that he faced back the way they'd come and here, he turned broadside for James to clamber back on, if he wanted to.

Faint memories of tiny hooves on his back, of the squealed word 'Boooat!' brought an unexpected twinge of nostalgia, but he did not speak of that.

Khloros glanced down at the foal's nudge, and his question--"...If there's no one there, do you have to be afraid of going?"--brought a flicker of warmth to the stallion's heart. For one so young to show such empathy--that boded well for him, Khloros thought, for his future.

He stepped down into the mud channel, himself, ahead of Dragon, and began the trudge back toward the exit. He sank nearly to his chest, but seemed familiar with the place, unlikely (one would hope) to suddenly fall into an unexpected hole, or get a hoof stuck between roots, or otherwise horrifically drown. He spoke, as he walked.

"It is kind of you to show such concern for me. I do not... fear, but yes, I must still use caution. The Masters come even here, and roam the tunnels, and there is one that will kill me if he finds me. I have a duty to avoid that."

Khloros was not entirely sure if he was even mortal, anymore. If he died again, would that pale, gentle creature not send him back again..? Perhaps again, and again-? He didn't know, but it wasn't a gift he was going to willingly throw away on an assumption.

"I would not tell others that you've met me. Not for my sake, but for yours. I'm not sure if they would... question you more," he added, "but if it ever puts you in danger, just tell them the truth."

horse stock by venomxbaby on deviantart

@James

James looked down at the alligator and sprung forward, landing onto his back and quickly settling down, legs tucked underneath him.

He looked up at Khloros and at Dragon and let loose a valiant whinny, "I won't forget you, though! I promise! I won't forget either of you- even if you're gone."

It was a promise he was sure to keep.

The foal set his head down and sighed softly, ears pricked up as he looked around, before shifting and getting comfortable. From what he could tell from where the water reached up Khloros' body, it was deep, too deep for him, so he knew he would have to stay still in order to not fall off.

James tucked his head into his side and let himself relax, yawning widely.

"I'll visit you if I can,", he said softly, "Being alone sounds awful."

@Dragon

Dragon grunted, first as the child impacted his back again--not painful, but a brief sudden weight--and then as he heard him yawn.

"Rest, horse-child!" he suggested, as the thick, ridged tail began its slow propulsion forward. "I will wake you, if you wish, when we reach the cave exit."

He knew from experience that the young often tired soon after hatching--not all, but many--and they had a little ways to go before they reached the edge of Cetus.

Khloros paced along in silence, long tail trailing in the wet, leading the way--not that he needed to--to Cetus' exit. He didn't answer the foal, with nothing really to say; instead the horse simply trudged along, peacefully quiet.

The wet suction of hooves, the sloshing of knees in water, the scream of the birds and buzz of flies, was a rather odd lullaby for a foal. But it was cool and misty, easy to rest in, at least; and Khloros himself found himself drowsy, lost in thought, as he walked.

He didn't share his thoughts, but he did seem to drift away in them, almost unaware of Dragon and James behind him as he went.

horse stock by venomxbaby on deviantart

exit Khloros & Dragon

@James

James nodded and curled up tighter, "Thank you, Dragon. And Khloros."

He curled up and closed his eyes, listening to the water and the trees around, letting himself be soothed to sleep. He was glad for the warmth of the body beneath him, chasing away the cold chill of the mist, which muffled any of the less soothing noises.

All was silent as James slumbered, his tiny chest rising and falling, nostrils flaring with each delicate breath, ear twitching gently as he floated off into the land of dreams.

Exit james.