The expression of the stallions face dropped slightly at Nyx's question. If at all possible he would have preferred not to mention the conflicts that run through the undercurrents of the land, not right away like this. Perhaps it was selfish, but Lace wanted to have these two for himself a while, talk old memories and re-establish bonds that might not have been that strong in the first place.

Perhaps it was better this way though, he thought with a sigh, head turning slowly to glance at the black colt with a slightly apologetic look.
"All horses with open minds and tolerant hearts are welcome at the World's Edge" he said quietly, unable to keep a quiet thought from questioning whether this indeed would be the case for the two unicorns. They had all lived together in a mixed herd who held equality and freedom high, but that had been a long time ago...
"Unfortunately, you are correct in your suspicions that not all are as accepting, lady Nyx. Though I doubt you would feel the impact of it, since it's the unicorns of the north who shun the rest of us. Due to certain... circumstances the Qian are in conflict with them, mostly because of persistent attempts on our herd members."

The smile that flashed by the lips was grim, not reaching the eyes; it was a poor subject to bring up to guests, and he hoped it wouldn't deter them from the uttered decision to follow him.
"Not to worry though" he tried with a lighter expression, straightening up as he sought to bring back the pleasant elation he'd felt mere moments before, "we are strong and have good allies; the summer has been calm and peaceful as well, and the borders are well protected. You will be able to find plenty of food and rest - perhaps you might even feel a bit at home. It's a forested land, not entirely unlike the Mystic Woodlands, and placed just by the sea to that."

Slowly starting to turn as he spoke, the silver king prepared to lead the way to the land he spoke so fondly of - he wasn't aware of it, but the tone of his voice softened and grew warm as he spoke of the homeland, eyes glittering at the thought of being able to show it to these road-weary travelers. His step faltered a bit in surprise, however, as the words of Nato reached him; a baffling statement, that set his thoughts spinning with wild guesses. As Fajira dipped her head in a surprisingly accepting gesture at the hail of the black warrior her bonded tilted the head, eying the elder steed curiously.

"I had no idea" he confessed in plain honesty. "Mirage speaks very little of herself or her history... All I know was that she was born in a land without sun, and that she came by Isilme after the Morning War... " There was a question embedded in the words, whether they'd met before or after Isilme; he didn't ask though, hesitant to pry in the affairs of a friend without her being present.
"I'm sure she will welcome you as much as I do" he simply said, a hope rather than any reassuring promise - she was unpredictable too, not just secretive.

"But come, let's be on our way! It's a few days journey to the borders, through lush and easily traversed landscapes. We can talk on the way... " With that he turned to lead the way, the ivory dragon slipping off his back and rose into the air; she would scout ahead from the sky, assuring that they could avoid most apparent dangers.

Dim vales- and shadowy floods-
And cloudy-looking woods,
Whose forms we can't discover
For the tears that drip all over!
Huge moons there wax and wane-
Again- again- again-