After spending almost an entire day exploring the strange and beautiful island which had quite simply just appeared, floating above the Veins of the Gods on a flimsy white bed of clouds, Africa approached the waterfall which spilt down from the lush valley; the one that she’d seen when she’d so astonishingly arrived. Her sense of direction was skewed quite dramatically (perhaps she was just tired, giddied by the blissful atmosphere there), so it seemed to her to be the most logical point to exit- and as she dithered by the periphery of the hovering land-piece, soft powdery cloud began to gather on cue.

White knees locked again, pointed ebony hocks stiffened. There was just nothing normal about such flight, and though for many years (and more recently in parrot-form), she had soared sky high with wind tousled feathers, not exerting herself at all and achieving the same was horribly unnerving. Her nest of cloud carried her carefully and safely down through the twirling warm breeze above the Veins, and as the blue lava neared, the Starry-Eyed braced and leapt from its grip towards the worn path weaving through the molten pools. Sound, neat hooves clicked on collision and joints braved the impact dutifully. The dappled mare paused, drew a long breath and glanced with bewilderment back up towards the lofty island.

Silas, who had followed her unique mode of travel with growing uncertainty, plunged down behind. He clucked affectionately, talons gripping the loose silken cloak draped along her back, and clawed his way towards her withers- setting aside all reservation for the flames licking through her mane to be certain all was well. Your God is a generous one, he told her finally, settling to rest weary wings briefly while she pulled herself (and her thoughts), together. Africa nodded with a bright, smile. Isn’t He just! A second later, the Roc spread apart his wings and the mare lunged forward beneath, the wind from her sudden propulsion gathering against his wingspan and pulling him into the air.

They travelled quickly, skirting the ocean, picking careful passage through the precarious rocky cliff-top outcrops- the shortest route home.

As pounding hooves fell at last upon the first gravelly sands of the desert, the Starry-Eyed called as loud as she could to the followers of light and fire. "Come, everyone!" The young and tender note of her voice wavered, and her lungs nearly imploded, purging all trace of the deep breath before taken. She had to pause then, heart thundering through wilting ears, to recover.