XOLANI

The morning dawned in the eastern sky, the growing light coaxing Xolani's eyes open.  The waters of the oasis lapped at the sands before her, sands that stretched as far as the eye could see.  It was difficult to imagine that the desert was, in truth, an island, but having had to ride a boat to pass through the salty waters between the Dragon's Throat and the rest of Helovia, the mare could attest that it was true.  Overhead, a few palm fronds waved in a slight morning breeze.  No doubt the wind would die down as the sun's heat warmed the golden sands, but for now, it was actually quite pleasant to be awake.  She was certainly glad to have arrived in the dead of winter, for it would give her time to grow accustomed to the brutal warmth of the desert.

Ilios and Ampere had departed soon after reaching the shore of their headland, each drawn to their own duties.  She had followed their directions to reach the oasis, where she had settled in easily beneath a cluster of palms.  She remembered that she was surprised, last night, to find that she had been exhausted, not only from her journey from the Threshold, but from all that had plagued her since her departure from her homeland, as well.  It had been lovely to simply relax by the water, eating her dinner, and then lower herself to the ground to sleep.  It had been some time since she had felt safe enough to sleep lying down, and that in and of itself indicated that she had made the right choice by following Ilios to this - her new home.

Today, she awoke feeling refreshed and ready to face the world outside her little copse of palms.  She hadn't had the opportunity the day before to explore, or to meet any of her new family.  The thought filled her with equal parts hesitations and excitement, for if all who dwelled in these sands were as kind and welcoming as Ilios and Ampere had been, she felt that she would soon come to fit quite nicely into whatever niche she found in this herd.  Orange blossomed on her coat, galloping as a herd from flank to shoulder and then back again, as she pondered the possibilities of the day ahead, largely drowning out any green clouds of apprehension.  The mare began to wander along the edge of the oasis, hoping to find someone else lingering by the water on this gentle Frostfall morning.