His path was aimless; as wretched and lonely as the rogue wind howling up from the scorched south. The sun fell like a thick roasting blanket across his bony back, protruding hips casting deep shadows as skin fell sharply from their peaks. He was smaller than other colt’s his age, more even then some younger; wasted, undernourished, stunted perhaps. His legs were long and thin, and the large heron-like wings which sagged lethargically beside the slow chop of cloven hooves, had not felt the rush of high thermal wind for many months. Kari was fairly convinced by now, that Shadow was gone- that whatever monster she’d become that day above the caves, had probably eaten her away completely.

A shallow sigh slipped by his lips.

In silence and alone he meandered down the sandy bridge away from the Throat; his birthplace, the land that he was sure would attract Shadow if ever she’d thought to return. He was yet to feel the pull of belonging though, his heart ached for nowhere in particular; it didn’t ache at all... Kari was confused and lost, but for the time being the desert offered safety and a place which wicked, creeping shadows could not easily find him. There was spiny scrub veiled in tangles of vine there, and that was his sanctuary- where nobody tall would ever think to look for him.

Voices ahead drew his ears up from their bed of downy, silverly mane, and he paused to listen. He wasn’t really in the right headspace for company, he rarely was, but as the hum ahead sharpened into the high pitch of childish boldness, intrigue tempted him forward. Only minutes more, and boulders on the horizon became bodies, and Kari stopped for a moment to consider the situation. He could see the painted skin of Cera, the black shadowy silhouette of Sacre. The champagne girl was there too, he remembered her glowing blue horn mostly- not that he could see it yet. They were grouped together, obscuring his view any further.

He tried to seem disinterested as he approached, like he was just passing through and that their presence was not overly exciting. The nearer he moved though, the wider blue pools grew, the more his curiosity ruined his act. There were two colts (brave-looking, not like Kari’s meek appearance), and one filly; lovely who, apart from colouring, looked almost like he did. He had never seen any of them in the Throat before. Kari inched closer, eavesdropping. “Does it rain here?” one of the colts seemed to be asking. The little grey colt scoffed quickly, but then realised that he’d never actually noticed. He couldn't remember ever being saturated...

When the filly spoke, he paused to listen, little ears flicking forward. Spying? He turned his pale face to view his herd mates, to look at Sacre, who he would never have guessed would hold such a role- he was barely any older after all.