The last time he had journeyed this far north he had been reunited with his father, and it was for that bay unicorn that Mesec was searching now. Truthfully, he had no idea where d’Artagnan would have headed once they parted ways in the Green Labyrinth but it made sense to him to check here, so close to the Basin. Whether he would actually seek entrance into his former home was not yet something that Mesec considered - the memories there were not exactly happy, but they did not hold the same iron grip on him as they once had. He wished he had gotten more time with Aviya, he wondered if they would have been different now, but all he had was speculation. She rested now in the bamboo forest that his mother had brought into Helovia and a memory of her was woven into his mane, resting with the charms that shone there.

Thoughts weighed heavy on Mesec’s mind as he travelled northward, walking now after his long flight, though he was seldom in any other state lately. Lucius was off hunting - the animals here were not so shy about being out in the day. They may still need to worry about freezing at night but there was no danger of overheating for the little mice and rabbits living in the northern mountains. In the late afternoon light, the sun glinted off of the zephyr’s moon marking - a crisp crescent that would reflect the shape that would rise in the sky tonight. There seemed to be little danger of a cloudy night, not a spot marred the chilly blue that showed above the wildflower-speckled landscape.

It was refreshing to not feel the need to hide from the sun - he welcomed the cool breeze that ran through the mountains. Though it did not clear his mind completely it was a distraction and he realized he had wandered further than he had expected - into the mountains of the Steppe instead of the Basin. Mesec was halfway through a thought about how he would rest here for a bit before turning back when Lucius released a shockingly loud call of… pride? delight? through their bind that made Mesec stumble to a halt. Silver eyes cast about for his companion who he saw flying low over the stunted trees of the Steppe - something large and soft gripped tight in his talons.

Lucius had brought Mesec “gifts” when the young bird had first been learning how to fly but now that he was fully grown, they had not been expected.

With grace that never ceased to surprise the demigod (how did Lucius fly with four wings?), the zephyr landed on the ground before him and placed the mostly dead hare gently on the ground. “For you.” The voice had a mocking tone to it, or was Mesec imagining that? He stared helplessly at the broken animal, wondering whether his dear companion was seeking praise or making a jest about the monster hidden within.