They were slowly working their way south. It would be an understatement to say that they were taking it easy and going at their own pace; Fajira complained more than once over the stalwart pace as Lace kept dragging his feet and enjoying the scenery. Truth was, it had been such a long time that he had visited most of these places that he had to take it slow. Many trails that once had been so familiar that he could have walked them with closed eyes had become overgrown, new ones instead appearing that slithered between hills, through forests and out across vast meadows where juicy grasses kept bowing and swaying like an ocean of green. After a few days travel southbound from the Grove he spotted the real sea in the distance, a dazzling jewel bright ribbon that lined the horizon and almost merged with the deep forget-me-not-blue of the summer sky.
The weather was incredible. The sun gazed benevolently down upon the world, as if to make up for past years of brutal summers. The air was warm without becoming stifling, and as he neared the shore with its soft white sands and salty waters, the steady on-land breeze gently dried the sweat from his skin.
"This is great" the White kept repeating as she darted about, busying herself with chasing gulls and digging into the sandy ground in search for turtle eggs and crabs. Lace laughed in agreement, eagerly easing himself into long-legged canters that stretched the limbs, relaxed tense muscles and undid knots in the spine and mind he hadn't even been aware of. It was as if the years were swept away with the sea breeze, turning him back into a young stallion again; bold and daring, hard headed and far more outspoken than what was wise.
Together they swam through the crashing waves, playing 'catch-the-tail' and 'hold-your-breath' until they tired themselves out; and as night fell and they crawled up onto the beach both horse and dragon nestled into the still warm sand to gaze up at the stars until sleep overtook them.
It might seem lazy and carefree to some, but for the soul-bound friends and for Lace in particular it was a very necessary time of rest and recuperation. For years now he had been running from himself, trying to forget a past that wouldn't leave him alone. He had drowned himself in duties he never truly cared for, pulled along by a wish to make others happy; never quite taking the time to stop and consider what he wanted. While he didn't regret involving himself with Mirage and the Qian, it had been for the sake of the DragonHeart and her kin that he had gone to war that time, and for her sake that he remained, accepted the crown and bled in defense of their home.
But Mirage was gone, off somewhere to a place where he couldn't reach and her daughters were growing up to become mares themselves. Rishima was dead and Tandavi had left the Edge to pursue her own dreams, and when he himself had succumbed to the madness of the plague others had stepped up to shoulder the mantle of leadership in his place. It was time to start over, to re-discover his own will and place and purpose in life - and to do that the horse brought his dragon on this journey that wasn't so much soul-searching as it was healing. He would push other matters aside for the time being, do as he pleased until he felt ready, and once he had finished mulling over the words of the Sun God he would surely be able to face the throws of herd life again.
With that settled, Lace simply enjoyed the moment. When the sun rose anew he got up along with it, nuzzled the dragon lovingly where she slept in her pit of sand and trotted off inland, desperate for a nibble of grass and some fresh water. He smiled as he went, at peace with the world, and grinned absent minded as he watched a flock of deer emerge from a grove some ways off in the distance.
ooc: open to all! :)
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