Trees shook with either the thunder of hooves or just the wind. This particular runner chose to believe the first option. As he ran, the trampled foliage under his hooves wore flat as noticeable paths started to form. This terraforming did have a purpose other than for the pure enjoyment. Marked paths sent signals of their own, signals he was motivated to send.
During the consistent loop, the stallion always took time to stop at the Lavender lake. Time and travel found him one log away from that same lake for the first visit that evening.
Getting rid of the log would be safer and quicker but not quite as fun. Learning from each encounter, Atheron knew better to land on any flower beds. Progress!
Fatal Irony