He had a distinct feeling that he had come across a place such as this one before. It was many years ago now, but still the memory of that time was as vivid in his mind as thought it had happened yesterday. He had been younger then and more optimistic, more... opportunistic, as well. Cocky, cheeky like any young stallion and with the illusion that he was immortal, that nothing could bring him down. Oh, it was many years ago, but not so many that Lace didn't remember the trembling excitement as he set foot on the threshold to a new realm. Even now as he gazed warily around the unfamiliar surroundings he had to shake the feeling of homecoming. This was not Isilme. The scent of passing horses in the air might be familiar, the tinge of magic that prickled his skin might be similar, but it was not the same.

It smells like home the White one protested from her perch on his whithers. The slender tail coiled back and forth and tickled his sides teasingly, but he could feel the tension in her small body as she gazed intensely up ahead, just as cautious as he was.
"Don't get your hopes up" he muttered, as much to the little dragon as to himself as he slowly padded deeper into the forest. Did he even want to continue? Lace wasn't sure. He had bad memories of the last place that smelled of magic and horses at the same time. Good ones too, granted, but they were all overshadowed by the all encompassing sense of guilt that left a pungent taste in his mouth whenever he began to reminisce about the olden days. If it hadn't been for Fajira's gentle but persistent comments about wanting to find others of her kind he wouldn't have agreed to continue this way.
The forest and the base of the mountain was gently guiding them deeper in, pushing them southwest in a way that was almost unnoticeable to someone who wasn't paying attention. The air was thick with the scent of horses, winged and horned ones, and it didn't take much searching to find traces of hooves beneath the thin carpet of freshly fallen leaves. It was too much like the Gateway. He had roamed in this kind of area before, trying to recruit newcomers to the heard and sorting youngsters from the old, warriors from common dreg and gently guiding, manipulating them into joining the cause of his leaders. He'd been through it before, but unlike last time Lace had grown older, more cautious. He wasn't about to be swayed into any kind of action before he knew more about this place... And besides, it was for the sake of the dragon he had come. The only thing he needed was to find other dragons, if there were any - he didn't have to mingle with other horses. It would be best for everyone if he didn't.

Quietly mulling the stallion treaded deeper into the new land, warily regarding the landscape that surrounded him. The sun was low on the heavenly arch and the worst of the heat was beginning to fade for the day, throwing long shadows from his dark hooves as they quietly placed down onto the ground, step after wary step. It wasn't that he was afraid, not at all. The silver grullo stallion knew his own strength more than well enough and had yet to grow so old that he avoided battles altogether. It was more that he didn't want trouble. Hopefully they would be able to come and go without anyone noticing, but if his hunch was correct and this place was indeed as familiar as he thought... Well, then at least he wasn't going to let anyone take him by surprise. It helped that they were two pair of eyes keeping watch. The White didn't even need his silent suggestion to take off from his back, deftly throwing herself into the air to scout from above. Their minds were connected, their hearts beating as one, and nothing could surprise them. At least, so they thought as they cautiously picked up the pace and trotted forth, following a well treaded path that led deeper into the woods.