It was time! The last sunset of Birdsong had faded hours before, but it seemed that little in the desert slept that night. The oasis that was the hub of all life in Dragon’s Throat was full of voices, an excited buzzing as the night crept on, drawing Tallsun nearer with every moment. The heat of the sunny season was already being hinted at in the warm night an in spite of the buzzing of its denizens, the desert around them lay still, waiting, waiting…

The past days had been a flurry of activity, all in preparation for the Season of the Sun Celebration, and the bay warrior and thrown herself into them with every bit of gusto she could muster. Holes had been dug, bonfires built, food and fun a life had all been heaped upon their home in abundance and the herd was ready to celebrate. If ever there was a time of celebration, it was now, the change of season meant not only a shift in the weather, but it would mark, truly, the end of a reign of darkness in Helovia.

In the first few days after the Goddess’ fall, the little warrior had still been plagued with doubt and horrible frustration. How were they to move on? How could they continue with their lives when their herd, their family had been so deeply affected? These questions had turned over and over in her mind. The herd meeting had helped to ease those fears. Even more, her spar on the beach had taken the edge from the warrior's mind and given her an outlet for the pent up rage. She had returned home ready to shelter and be sheltered by the embrace of friends. Frostfall and Bridsong had been marred by murder and pain, suspicion and anger, perhaps now in Tallsun they could all begin to heal.

Morning was not far now.

Meg had been one of the first to gather at the Dragon’s Blood Tree, this was the heart of their home and here the herd would welcome the first sunrise. The hours passed and more came: bodies pressed, friends were greeted, embraces shared, until it seemed the whole herd was gathered there. Someone lit the bonfires set in trenches she herself had helped to dig. From the air, the scattered dancing lights would take the shape of burning sun. Megaera moved about, greeting those she knew meeting others, her jovial-self returning where the past few weeks had seen only her fury and fear. Now, she had a quick and comradely smile for all and with each passing minute it became harder and harder to contain her excitement.

There it was, the pale glow just beneath the eastern horizon that heralded the coming of the dawn. The mare moved fast, in a flash, she was at the center of the crowd, nudging those around her to make a small clearing in the center. When she’d made her space, Megaera let out a sharp whistle calling for her family’s attention then waited for the hush to descend on the crowd.

“Well met, my friends! We are come to greet the morning and the season that it brings. In the past months, we have walked in darkness but as long as there is Dragon’s Throat no darkness shall endure. I thank the Sun for each of you and count myself as blessed to be included in your number.” When she spoke, her voice was clear and strong as the light that burned inside of her. Her dark eyes found each precious face and pride in her home filled her; with every word her conviction grew. She moved, turning to face northwards and lifting her great wings high and straight in salute and her ritual began.

“To the North we give our thanks to the aurora,
A glowing heaven’s dance to warm the dark.”

A fractional pause and she pivoted, turning towards the south with the same salute.

“To the South we give our thanks to shining starlight,
The sentinels of twilight hour’s hope.”

A half turn towards the west and a third salute.

“To the West we give our thanks to the setting sun,
In remembrance of the glories that have passed.”

Finally, Megaera turned toward the east, where the sun was about to break over the horizon.

“Dawn will rise and all that’s torn asunder set to right,
With this morn’ Tallsun is come and here we hail its might.
To the East we give our praise and sink to bended knee,
By all the days that ever were and those still yet to be!”

It was, all of it, a poem and a prayer. All her hope and all her fire set in words to greet the dawn. Her final words ended on a swell of passion, ringing clear across the oasis. The bold arc of her neck flung her dark crowned head skywards in a glorious shout, a victory cry, and as the first ray of the sun peaked over the horizon, she seemed to ignite. Her body glowed, and then seemed to be swallowed by the light that burst out of her, aimed upward and shooting into the sky, a beacon, a pillar of pure sunlight that could be seen for miles. For a handful of seconds, she blazed before the light pulled back and fall back into the little warrior who laughed in unadulterated delight.

Tallsun had come.