She told herself often that she did not miss the long, almost epic journey into the southern heat; that the short trip home to Hidden Falls was both kinder, and more attractive to those seeking refuge after a long time abroad. These were bandaids across guilty, gaping rifts; rivers of regret swollen and stretched beyond repair. She was living breathing scar tissue, skin so brittle and damaged.

Sooty-tipped ears followed the other mare as they passed beneath the delicate drape of long willow leaves – she was perceptive, understanding that ran so much deeper than the caress of her gentle eyes. Africa knew that agony often lingered long after the skin had healed, like mud after the rain; but just as mud dried, so did memories dull. Her own memories often flared back to the surface during sleep, harrying, heart-wrenching nightmare’s that she was not easily pulled from. Nevertheless, those heinous creatures of the north had not broken her soul, times were changing and with every day that passed, a little more of the bitterness that had choked her flaked away.

Ashen face bobbed thoughtfully as Menagerie continued, introducing both herself and a sweet nickname that had perhaps been given in times far fonder than those which had dealt her such a cruel exterior. "Minnie it is," the Starry-Eyed smiled warmly.

Where the sun fell in thicker shafts between spindly old pine foliage, Africa quickened her step as a courtesy, so that her company might not have to endure the very obvious discomfort she did, unnecessarily. Great, lush oaks too spread their awning-like arms through the forest (she was a veteran in these parts, the labyrinth of trees was almost as familiar as the fertile oasis in Dragon’s Throat), and the dappled mare tried her best to step wherever their dense shade fell. Silas, who was gliding between heavenly thermals above, watched with a conscientious eye and helped his bonded a little, maintain both direction and shadow.

Africa began cautiously when the bay mentioned rumour of absolute harmony – she almost laughed...

"I’d like a place like that to call home too!" ...where the land hell not stains of blood spilt through war, disease ravaged no body and lungs breathed only kind compassion into the world – yes, paradise was perhaps something they all sought. "Your suspicion is sensible; Helovia isn’t a peaceful land. In recent years darkness has plagued the world, sickness and butchery that would make even the most battle-hardy soldier squirm. There are places more pleasant than others of course and despite what you witnessed just now, the Hidden Falls herd are among the kindest of all."

While she walked, the one-winged mare spoke devotedly of her home, and the mountains beneath which it was nestled loomed ever closer through the shifting canopy ahead. Africa explained the ranks (a knowledge base that she had been building since her own arrival months ago) in detail; spoke of Midas the Ascended with a subtle fondness, and of Ghost the Cadaverous who seemed still mostly a mystery. She told Menagerie of the God of the Earth and those highest in each class who wielded His magic, blessed to the lands they called home – of herself, serving Earth Medic.

Though she mentioned the three neighbouring herdlands, north, south and west, and the Wilds in brief, she had not the confidence to say just how sturdy relations were between them – naturally Africa shed wariness for those living in the Basin with horns set upon their skulls (because it was they who had stolen her flight).

Not two hours later, the roar of cascading waters had filled her ears and as the trees of the Threshold thinned around them, the great granite cliffs skirting the hidden territory were bulging from beneath the greatest waterfall in the whole of Helovia (according to her). With no shade to cover the last leg of their journey, Silas beat particularly his wings at the request of his considerate beloved, and the high sun began to sink very suddenly into the leafy western horizon – dusk fell across them, and with it came dimness that Africa prayed would ease Menagerie’s pain.

She guided them then beneath tumbling water, through white clouds of mist, and after, along the rugged cliff-path that lead deep into the beautiful region. "This is home." she sighed with a growing smile. The trip on foot had been long, and it was not often that she entered the Falls in that fashion (ordinarily she took form as a parrot and scaled the mighty cliffs through the air). She stopped when the cover of another forest had formed around them – just near the Falls Meadow, which was easily the most central point in the herd land.

Africa