Iona felt the need to get out more.  It was both a selfish need needing to physically remove herself from the Edge for the sake of her own sanity and one tied to her duty to the Edge itself.  She knew there was more going on in Helovia that she should probably be privy to.  And she’d made few attempts to make any sort of connection outside the herd.  So, today found her in less-familiar skies and with a different angry sea unfolding beneath her.  It was something to see. Where the seas off the coast of the sea cliffs were gray and angry, these were every shade of teal and green and blue.  The winds were calmer than she had become accustomed to dealing with having made her home amongst the cliffs, so it was a rather luxurious flight for the painted mare.  But she knew better than to let herself be caught off guard.  Ahead, she could see land – the volcanic islands she had only visited once prior – rising up out of a vivid blue sea. 

Strange that she’d be drawn back to this place, of all places.  This was the island where she’d first encountered Helovia’s gods (one of them, at least) and what they were capable of.  And to think she thought she was coming to a nice, peaceful home chosen by her kind, peace-loving sister.  After what she’d seen unfold here, she still wasn’t sure what the hell to think of this place.  She thought she’d left the constant fighting and holy wars behind her.  Apparently that was wishful thinking. 

She angled towards the beach as land grew larger, slowly descending with only a subtle adjustment in the angle of her wings. She had timed her descent perfectly, landing a few feet from the waters edge, and jogging a few steps with her wings outstretched before slowing her forward momentum and tucking her great wings to her sides.  The island was much as she remembered, but decidedly less crowded this time of year, though she assumed that the island was only accessible to pegasi this time of year.  As if remembering the chill in the air, Iona pulled her wings tighter against her body as if to trap every ounce of body heat from escaping.  The beach was all but abandoned.  The skies, however, were not.  Iona spotted the approaching figures, though she didn’t recognize any one figure in particular.  Still, feeling bold, Iona called out in greeting to the strangers, hoping that her call was strong enough to be heard over the bitter wind.

The truth will set you free.
But first, it will piss you off.