Though the sun was perched high in the bright, clear afternoon sky, the breeze spilling down from the northern ranges was mild and the day quite comfortable as a result. Even through that first week of Tallsun, Helovia had not been choked quite so terribly by the wearying heat extravaganza which was typical during the warmest months- well, apart from Dragon’s Throat. Her home naturally, was in the midst of a dry spell; spiralling dust storms, roving tumbleweeds and thick, bitter brackish winds blowing off the choppy seas surrounding. If not for the oasis’s existence to offer to the herd respite, the land would undoubtedly have been considered inhospitable. Certainly to those who strayed to close, breaching the narrow, rickety bridge, unaware of the herd thriving within; it might have seemed uninviting and not worth their time.

Africa led the two horned mare directly south through the sparsely slung redwoods and dried out thickets. She had very little desire to travel via the vast openness of the Thistle Meadow along the way home- a sun drenched journey would be uncomfortable and wearying, and thus chose instead to take them by the rim of the Deep Forest and afterwards, along the coastline until the bridge across the angry cove. For a little while the one-winged held a companionable silence, considering and revising in the privacy of her mind, all which Sialia’s generous tongue had offered her in the way of Basin information. It would save her now a great deal of time and effort; she would no longer have to send with risk the young crimson-ribbed boy Sacre into the perilous north to scavenge. It was a weight off her shoulders indeed, and as she walked the faintest hint of a smirk curled the corners of her mouth.

By the time they had stepped clear of the last pines and into the dimly lit world of the Deep Forest, Africa paused and turned, glancing carefully around them as she did so. Gentle creamy eyes came to rest upon the stranger and the smirk dissolved into a broad smile. She had brought them well clear of the hungry ears of her foes, and now felt comfortable enough to indulge the raven-hued with the details of her home previously withheld. “Forgive me...” the humble note of her voice began, “...you must know that a long standing tension between the Aurora Basin and my home exists. They have proven themselves to be naught but reptiles, with hearts as bitter as the environment they inhabit.

As I said, I’m Africa and I lead Dragon’s Throat with blessing of the God of the Sun himself.” The grey paused, closing her eyes lightly and dipping her pale face in a show of humility and respect towards her company. “There has been a recent darkness- a sickness in fact, which caused all allegiances through Helovia to be severed. For now my home sits beneath a veil of obscurity, thankfully set apart from the main population. It has allowed for transformation in peace, without the threat of prying eyes and greedy hearts. Our numbers are recovering and our army is training well in the mean time.” Again she fell silent, allowing the other to soak up the small deluge of explanatory information offered. “Come...” She gestured with a subtle toss of her flame-topped skull, and began the descent into the murky shade of the forest.

“There are four claimed territories for which all herds squabble relentlessly- the Basin and the Throat, of which you know some now, and also World’s Edge to the far East, and the Hidden Falls (which she had learnt now occupied the region once called Windtossed Foothills), northwest of here. These days I know little about our neighbours.” She offered a casual shrug, and a brief half-smile. “There are bands and nomads also who wander the wilderness between, and all seek haven in the four lands mentioned as they are watched and tended each by a God. They are bestowed magic, greater protection and power.”

For a long while after, Africa walked with only the clatter of an ill-placed hoof or rattling nostrils breaking the quiet. They seemed to be covering ground much faster than she predicted, and she imagined brazenly that it was thanks to the thick shade cloaking them; conserved energy without the need to regulate body temperature. She was pleased, and less than a couple of hours later they were sauntering above the waves, traversing the western cliffs in the direction of the Heart. The Starry-Eyed was clever and sure-footed, guiding her anonymous company well across the unstable terrain, and soon the roaring ocean and mist of the sea was well behind them.

“This is Helovia’s Heart.” She explained when slate shifted to clay beneath their step, and glancing ahead towards the tower of black smoke added, “The lake of fire here burns everlastingly. There is a network of caves beneath us now which harboured most of the population during the darkness. The entrance lays in the long grass southwest of the smoke.” Africa continued a little quicker through the dry, smoky area, cutting just south of the molten lake. There would be plenty of opportunity for the mare to explore this place she was certain- it was the Throat’s closest neighbour after all. Often the parched earth here and concealing grass was used as a training ground for those aspiring soldiers and their mentors.

Eventually the bridge lay before them, and Africa began without hesitation to lead the black mare along a path between the rock and rubble, which might easily have been lost amongst the chaos by an untrained eye. She never slipped nor stumbled along the way, and checked regularly the progress of the one no doubt following. As they reached the end, a vast desert spilt before them as far as the eye could see. A swiftly moving shadow passed above them, and Africa’s pale-gold gaze lifted to meet her companion’s arrival- he had been following for a long while, but well clear of their view. Through their bond in silence, she greeted him affectionately. “Welcome to Dragon’s Throat.” She sighed finally, letting her eyes fall back to the white blazed face of the two-horned mare. “Do you have a name?”