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Finally crackling light pieced the darkness that had descended. Silas dipped lower, unenthused by the danger its voltage presented as he skimmed through the whispering warning of rousing wind. Take cover! it seemed to hiss, Take cover! though the zephyr had not the time to burry himself away from the looming storm yet. On he flew, searching carefully through the lush foliage of the oasis from above for her sleek, pale body; scanning the dip and swing of the rolling red-gold dunes both south and west, but he did not find her there. Only as he ventured into the north of the desert flanking their paradise did he trace the blur of her movement, dancing wildly with the wind. Sikeax was returning home it seemed from whatever business she had needed to tend to, and he hovered above her momentarily to be certain her interest had been engaged. He watched vigilantly until her face lifted towards the sky- be that to find him or for another reason he cared not. Finally he circled her, brilliant star-sheen trailing in his wake, and set off east once more.

Africa searched patiently through the eyes of her bonded. It was a gift she did not often utilise for the sake of respect, but she knew well that if he wished her not to do such, Silas would close his mind. A relieved smile swept into her drawn expression as he came upon Sikeax, and quickly she recoiled, leaving them to the journey across the still warm sands of home.

The first drops to fall across the desert were large and bitterly cold, plummeting headlong into the hot sandy barrier which seemed to repel the moisture offered. Her coat was far more receptive though, absorbing greedily the rain as it intensified and for a moment Africa wished she’d not left her cloak in the oasis. Streams of sweat and dust soon spilled from her body, spouting little waterfalls by the tips of her flinching elbows and curved, lean belly, both cleansing and cooling as she stood waiting by the ancient relic of tree. Thunder rolled in angry bursts through the black cloud cover and lightning clashed violently through each, indicating that the storm was building square above them. As the grey began to wish for her companion’s return; for his safety, the small shadowy silhouette of the zephyr finally appeared through a neon flash of light. A long sigh slipped between her lips, tongue licking away the water collecting across them.

Silas swooped towards her swiftly, great wings tucked snugly to each side. He was pleased to leave the sky; the weather was unforgiving- rare ferocity swelling through its core. Sikeax had followed well at a canter, and as he alit upon the rump of his beloved and turned, the softly coloured girl was pulling up with a smile written through her young features.

Dimpled, whiskery chin lifted to meet the arrival of the mythical bird, and she thanked him earnestly and silently through their bound minds. The rain scattered across the length of her muscular body as he fluttered before landing, and she waited motionlessly until the gentle clench of his raptor-like talons had marked the security of his grip. After him came the young mare she had summoned, and in return for the smile gifted, Africa offered a rattly snort and kindly grin of her own. Pastel eyes watched carefully as Sikeax spoke, tracing the line of her expression for credibility. She held not the same reckless trust these days for any and all encountered, ties had been severed during the Darkness, and allegiances across all of Helovia were being reforged with new cunning tact. No longer was she sure who could be relied upon.

"Sikeax, you as well. I’ve not seen such fury since perhaps our rendezvous beneath the tree many months back.” The Sultana chuckled quietly, with slight reserve, reminiscing vaguely through lighter times. "We are fine thanks. Are you feeling any better my sister?" An air of concern slipped across her pale face, but the smile did not waver as she embraced the other’s arrival wholeheartedly. Africa was no pretender, sensitive primarily to the wellbeing of her small, but growing family.

Africa