Iona half expected to feel older come the onset of Birdsong. Not only because Frostfall had seemed to drag on for an utter eternity, but because Birdsong marked the season of her birth. Ten years since she and her sister had been born.  Nearly just over nine years since the sisters had been forced to set out on their own.  Iona had made a habit of not looking back, unless you counted the fact that the painted mare constantly looked over her shoulder to prevent being caught off guard. She tried very hard not to dwell on the past and the demons (both literal and figurative) that lingered there.  But seeing her sister troubled had caused the mare to reflect on some demons that she had long since put to rest. Iona suspected that in a short amount of time she’d already become too comfortable here.  She’d let her guard down too much.  Alysanne had reminded her of the unpredictability associated with this place – with life in general – and Iona was ready to heed the warning in the back of her mind.
 
This is what led her to seek out Raeden in the late morning hours.  Iona felt confident upon meeting the unicorn mare that she would have completed the task set out for her, and perhaps others along the way.  The fact that Raeden had been both present and eager had been encouraging in the absence of the others.  The painted pegasus certainly admired the other mare’s drive to succeed. The fog had begun to burn away as the sun rose higher – forcing the moon’s mists away from the trees and the cliffs.
 
It would have been much more efficient for Iona to have searched for Raeden from above, but the mists would have made such a task near impossible.  Perhaps in another hour, but Iona would rather be busy now than simply wait around for the fog to clear.  Instead, the pegasus kept her wings tucked closely to her sides and wove her way through the trees searching for the pale sleuth and her companion.
 
Sure enough, Iona located the unicorn mare before the mist had receded from the treetops, and she called out as she caught sight of the pair.  “Raeden!” Iona called to the mare, dipping her head in greeting. “I trust your travels have been…productive?” Iona asked, casually inviting the other mare to tell her about her recent exploits.