Unlike the serpent, Iona rarely slept.  The painted mare rested when convenient, dozing in quick naps throughout the day but never sleeping for more than an hour or so.  She was constantly moving, searching, patrolling - never lingering in the same place for long.  If she stood for too long her muscles began to burn and itch, just as her wings did the same if she stayed earthbound for too long.  However today did find her earthbound, which was relatively unusual for the painted specter, but as much as she loved the skies there was no sustenance in the clouds. If there were, her hooves may never again touch earth. She sighed, finishing her meal quickly and nonchalantly, tasting little and not caring what it was that she ate in particular. 

The painted mare had been wary about the borders since the disagreement with the Falls over ownership of a particular item.  Iona still wasn’t fond of how the situation was handled, but it seemed that the situation and the passionate opinions that the situation had inspired had cooled. Iona certainly wasn’t pleased by the fact that in the midst of the conflict, that again there was an attack on the Falls, and it did nothing to soothe the painted mare’s paranoia. 

Iona had found herself somewhat distracted by the supernatural of late.  Magic was inherent in Helovia, yes, but the frequency of magical events appearing spontaneously seemed to be far more frequent than it had in the lull following the battles with the Rift gods.  Perhaps the strange Sea-God had something to do with that.  Her ears swiveled towards the sound of another approaching and she turned when she heard her name upon the lips of whomever was coming. 

She was pleased to see the gelding emerge from the trees.  Well, as pleased as the painted mare could be pleased about anything.  For the longest time it had just been her and Raeden that had paid any attention to the shadowy spaces of the herd, but perhaps Toulouse had proven himself by completing the task she had set and had brought back something that could soothe her mind further.  It had been a long time since she’d had reason to trust anyone with greater responsibility in her ranks. Perhaps Toulouse could share their burden.  “Ah, Toulouse.” she said easily, resting a hind leg while silently evaluating the gelding.
 
“What news?”