As Solace turned to leave them, so did Africa turn her focus upon Vanity. “I’m afraid it’s the long road home at the moment.” She joked chuckling, brushing aside the fragility of her disability as though it were really no big deal. The lonely wing strewn idly; uselessly, across the curve of her short dappled back ruffled as she spoke of it, the glossy mottled feathers shining as the streams of sunlight stroked across them. Kindly eyes roved between the bright, sea foam-green gaze of her new friend apologetically before motioning in a southerly direction, that which would guide them home. “Shall we leave?” She suggested cheerily as her elegant frame turned also.

Indeed the trek through Helovia would be tedious for one so used to flying- as Africa presumed Vanity was. Both of the grey Oracle’s wings had been broken before the left had been ripped from its socket, and the impact of her forced, undeserved grounding had sunk her into a grave, hopeless depression- although in truth it had been the culmination of events surrounding that had driven her to despair. She hoped quietly that the walk would not weary the palomino’s spirit excessively; that her decision to follow would not be hampered. Never the less, she set off as guide and struck up conversation to act as a healthy distraction- telling Vanity about all that they passed- each vast region, and explained to her in extravagant detail (naturally) all she knew about each.

As expected, the journey took them the remainder of the day.

As evening began to sink darkness across the countryside, Africa’s hard, sturdy hooves sank for the first time that day into the comfortable substrate of her home. The rust-red sand was still warm, even cast beneath the blackening shadow of the half-made wall which grew far into the sky above. Always the return home felt wonderful, and she turned, legs still in motion to grin at Vanity- hoping eagerly that the feeling steamed through her also. “Welcome home.” There was still a small distance to cover, though she was not overly concerned given the security which now covered them. Always there was a niggling pressure when she was away; Africa was vulnerable both because of her lost wing, but also due to the gentleness of her nature- she was an easy target for the monsters in the north.

“Look ahead, you can just see the oasis.” Africa was peering through squinting eyes right ahead of them. There laying across the rippling desert horizon shroud in the shadow of the impending evening, the jagged impression of tropical palms and thriving life. “It is the life-blood here- the great lake which we call the Throat. Our borderline reaches all around the main desert, though the only land is to the north from where we came. The ocean is our neighbour on each other side.” She continued on and began to hum a soft tune; the words to which she wasn’t ready to share. It was a ballad in the making, to celebrate the wealth and prosperity of Dragon’s Throat.