As relief spread throughout the young Oracle, the approach of another caught her attention also; the flicker of movement just beyond the grasp of pale, creamy eyes. Behind Ciceron’s swivelling dappled frame, another horse appeared, jogging briskly to meet them- a filly, painted both coffee-brown and white. She called her name in greeting, and the courtesy was received well by the one-winged creature who shuffled closer to welcome her into the midst of the conversation. The stallion too seemed untroubled and spoke first, in response, introducing each party present respectively. At the mention of her name, Africa smiled broadly and nodded- then again, with a small backward gesture, when Silas’s was told.

There was no time even for the meeting to continue; Merou growled fiercely, interrupting the nice exchange and alarmed ears guided the path of her eyes to that which had caused such a ferocious sound to escape. All in the same moment, Silas too was crying out angrily, his shrill warning peeling through the atmosphere; shattering the tranquillity which had enveloped the field all around.

“Danger!” Their bond shrieked, startling flashes of fury warping the calm hue of their minds. Africa’s sinewy legs began to twist and writhe as she danced in place, unsure what exactly what event was unfolding- certainly she had not seen the likes of one so ill before now, and when finally the gruesome creature clothed in all manner of rotting filth scrambled forward, Africa was already turning from its approach, preparing herself to flee. Suddenly though, the beast called her name and she was dumbstruck- paralysed by confusion as frantic eyes tried to determine what had plummeted from the heavens.

The wraith lunged forward and it was all the Oracle could do to try and scramble from the gnash of its foul teeth; awful breath which spilt before her in a wave of nauseating gas. It then switched with limberness she could not have believed to be mortal, and made for Ciceron who in turn found himself guarded by the bear cub. Silas screamed, lost to his wild rage and began to flap his wings like once he had done in the Threshold to aid the actions of his endangered beloved. The time began to flicker slowly, but Africa cried out for him to stop- she feared for those friends who too would be slowed, hindered by the zephyrs art; and he ceased instantly, unsure what next he should do.

As the Unicorn stallion ordered their retreat, the one-winged mare was already breaking forward into a breathless sprint, driving as quickly as she could; though she cared not to hide herself in the stallion’s unfamiliar home (despite his unmistakable care)- instead she galloped south, angling for home. Perhaps then, when they were clear of that madness, Silas could try again to use his magic and whisk them faster through time.