Time... It was a peculiar thing. At times so slow moving that it would seem possible to step over it, run ahead of it and leave it far behind, it somehow managed to get to the goal before oneself did. It was short, it was long, it had no beginning and no end - at least none that could be perceived by a mortals restricted mind. It was quite amazing how much that could be contained in a single instance, and how many instances that could be conveyed during the short span of a touch.

Though, if he couldn't touch anything the information he would have been able to gather from the land, the rocks, the water and the piles of dung left behind by the rare passerby was to remain hidden. For some reason the air itself wouldn't talk to him, and the thin mist that soaked through the coat and blocked the golden autumn sun from view only whispered, in voices so faint and fleeting that it was impossible to get a clear picture of anything.

"It would be easier if we walked" the foal called out and threw a glance towards the black shadow that flew next to him, her charcoal ravens wings cutting through the drifting clouds with stubborn determination. The childish voice unsettled his mother, he knew that. Not because of the apparent youth of it, but rather from the all but innocent tone and choice of words. Kari had always been old for his age - it was bound to happen, when all the wisdom of the world was poured into his head just by walking over the earth. "You know I could find the place with my..."

"No" the raven mare cut off, with a finality in her voice that made Kari close his mouth with a surly look. "We fly until we can't fly anymore. The ground isn't safe, and until we find the rest of the herd I won't risk anything."

She had said that already. About twice every hour, and every time the slate-gray colt asked to land and rest his wings. He wasn't a very good flier yet - he'd only been able to for a few weeks, but already he was growing sick and tired of it. His mother wasn't a very good teacher - too impatient, she drove her only son to his limits both physically and mentally, and still it never seemed enough. From the day he was born she'd made him strengthen the muscles that propelled the wings, with endless exercises and constant nagging - and when the woolen down finally had been replaced by proper feathers he had been pushed from slopes, rocks, hills, fallen logs - anything and everything that might help him take to the sky.

Even now Kari was unable to take off by his own strength, with a running start like the sleuth did. He wasn't big enough, the wings not yet so large as to carry his weight without aid. Most of the time Skuggi had to help him, and it was draining both their patience and energy each time.

Worst of all, they had been separated from the herd. One of their many reconnaissance trips had left them late, and when the little family finally found themselves back in the sandy region they called home, they had found it abandoned - empty, with not a horse to be found. It was unsettling to say the least, and Kari hadn't been able to tell exactly where the Sultans had brought them all. The only thing he'd been able to pick up was something about a cave, and while Shadow had heard of it herself she never followed the group that went to explore it.

How she regretted that now. Kari knew it, he could see it on her - the blank mask of unwavering confidence she always wore didn't work on him. Like all children he knew how to gauge the mood of his parent, and what he saw was just as unsettling as the emptiness of the Throat.

"Móðir, I need to rest" he said after a long while of flying in silence, daring to speak again despite her quick, sharp glare in his direction. "My shoulders hurt..." It was at least partly true. A nagging ache had been pestering him for a long time now, but it had more to do with overwork and growing bones than any real fatigue.

Still, Kari was always careful about complaining, and so the long, scrutinizing look he was given was followed by a curt nod and the tilt of a wing that slowly brought the ragged black mare down below the clouds, towards the earth. Wise from experience the colt kept above her until Shadow had made sure the area was safe, then he leaned in and let his body fall through the sky, controlling the drop with minuscule adjustments of wings, tail and head - until, finally, the cloven fore-hooves touched the ground and he was home. Flickering fire danced around the hardened keratin as the leggy foal heaved himself forward, dangerously close to falling from the speed of the descent - an upwards jerk of the head saved him just in time, and with the chest heaving and wings spread wide for balance he galloped across the ashed ground, slowing down until he finally was completely still.

"You didn't fall this time" the shadow mare commented as her son came padding over towards her. He gave her a surprised look and a careful smile - was that a compliment? Had he actually received praise, something so rarely handed out?
"It's slowly getting easier..." Kari replied, trying to contain the desire to puff up the chest and make the voice as unconcerned and casual as hers.

"Gott" his mother nodded and lowered her head towards the ground, flaming feet carrying her towards the closest patch of coarse, rough grass that grew where the ash of the crated receded. "Now rest... We'll be moving again in a while, need to find better shelter before sundown."

Which meant he was dismissed for an hour or two. It suited the colt just fine; a swig of milk and a few mouthfuls of grass later he was on his way towards the smoldering rim of the Heart, as always drawn towards the most magnificent, dangerous place he could find.