The little mare hadn’t returned to the Flats since the battle that had been fought here.  The last time her hooves had found these sands, her eyesight had been failing her.  All she had been able to see was a land colored only by heat, painting the lands in every shade of red and orange and yellow.  The very feel of the shifting sands beneath her hooves was enough to bring back the memory of the disorientation of finding her way.  The only distinguishing feature had been the cool blues of the sea.  Even when she’d been all but blind, the sea had been a comfort. 

The crocodile god had emerged here.  Najya’s eyes scanned over the expanse of the salt flats as she walked along the edge of the sea – just where the ocean curled over the sand. Scenes of the battle flashed through her mind. Strange blood spilled across the sand.  Screams of resident Helovians as they fought to protect their homeland.  Cries from those who had come from the strange land called the Rift as they watched their God fall. The God of the Sun stood amongst them all – glorious in his wrath. The images came in quick succession, and the little mare sucked in a quick breath – turning her gaze from the seemingly endless sands back out to the gently undulating ocean. 

Najya gently touched the glowing blue scale she had been awarded after the fight here, tied to the sheath that held her sword that she had used against the beast.  Reminders of what had transpired here.  Reminders that she was no longer the helpless girl that ran from her conflicts.  Reminders that she was so much more than she was when she had come to Helovia.  But deep down, Najya was so afraid of being alone.  The loss of her family and of her mate had left an emptiness in her, and even the friendship she had found in Helvoia had not filled the void. 

Her attention was diverted by a call across the wind. Step right up!  Najya’s first instinct was to presume there was danger afoot, whirling in the direction of the call.  She took off in trot in the direction of the sound that had already drawn others. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was seeing as she stepped down to a walk and eventually drew to a halt amongst the gathering – looking to see if she recognized any familiar faces before trying to make sense of the scene. Instead she waited quietly, her curved ears pricked and her hazel eyes focused on the creature.

-- najya --