There was a new restlessness driving her limbs forward, moving her heart to wander; the endless search for satisfaction, to quench hunger that even she knew not how to feed. Her conscious longed, but what for? It was frustrating, exhausting, consuming. Tan hooves, so neat and round, slipped and slid down the gentle slope of another rounded dune, swishing to the tune of her panting breath; chopping to the beat of the pulse which thundered through heavy, sloppy ears. Isn’t it obvious? Fleetingly, eyes wandered upwards to study absently the circling silhouette of the bird as he trailed her aimless, boundless journey. No... Everything she could have needed had come to light already- more than she deserved, far in excess of what she’d truly wanted.

Home?
Midas had taken her from the wilds and set her comfortably here, where Dragon’s breath hard scorched the land, and blood had stained it, long, long ago.

Family?
Midas had made her a part of his, in a sense; she was a Throatling, was surrounded always by the love of those dear and close.

Spirituality?
This land had given her that in turn, the God of the Sun had favoured her twice especially, she was devotedly a follower of Fire and Light.

Direction?
Yes, that too. Through everything else Midas had given to her, Africa had achieved a reason to live, to breathe and to continue. She had the weight of many lives upon her shoulders, to serve, and though it was a great burden to bear, the Starry-Eyed respected it immensely.

So what is it? the young dappled mare pondered bemusedly, casting down her eyes towards the rippling red horizon.

Love? Africa snorted sharply, yes... I have that too. She loved Silk dearly, the thought of him warmed her heart, ignited her soul and she pined for him whenever they were apart. But a lover? She paused suddenly, ears folding backwards quickly into the hedge of dancing flames and tangled, unruly grey mane. For a second she felt an uneasiness flush into her face, burning- but not like the sun whose heat drew beading sweat constantly to wet her coat. She thought of Windwalker, of the commitment he’d demanded so brazenly from one so young, so reckless, so naive... But Silk was different, wasn’t he? She had fallen for him on her own accord. He had never asked anything of her. Disgruntled, confused and touched by unfathomable loneliness, she broke forward into a canter, grinding knees thrashing; waves of sand spilling to either side of her bounding dappled frame.

As clear as day, he told her mind, filling her with still greater uncertainty.

She drove east, but had not long been travelling when three looming figures grew through the fuzz of heat; a dark blur, a smear to break apart red and bright clear blue. For a moment, gaze narrowing, she wondered if it was only an illusion, a trick of this land; but as she continued steadily, the trio began to transform into real bodies. Andromeda was one, yes, her coat easily recognisable, a reflection of the sparkling night sky- like you! ...and a smaller equine with a companion, presumably, in toe. She was golden-red like the sand, like the sun; with flaxen stirred to life by salty hot whispers. Who is she? The dark bird above circled down through the thermals but did not answer.

The Starry-Eyed slowed as she neared them, nostrils fluttering curiously, quiet eyes searching the wingless, smiling- she looked very much to belong. “Hello.” She stopped just short, comfortably, gesturing kindly to the creature also. “We haven’t met. I’m Africa, and my companion is Silas.” Briefly her face lifted, though the shadow as it crossed them again, betrayed his presence above.