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He'd had quite enough.
Too many things had happened as of late, too many interferences with his state of calm, his home and friends, his companion. The news of Aaron's failed attempt at bringing Solstice back set his teeth on edge - not because the youngster had failed, but because he'd been too preoccupied with other things to come along as he had planned.
By his side flew Fajira, a saddened pale shadow who's voice and constant presence in the mind had disappeared since the solar eclipse, for reasons no one seemed to be able to comprehend. It affected them, disrupted their rhythm of life, made him feel lonely in a way he only vaguely remembered from before the bond had been made. That she was alive and by his side was comforting, but oh, how he missed the sound of her voice, their quiet conversations.
It was a quietly seething Lace that followed the trail of the exiled unicorns across the soggy snow of the Steppe, further and further to the north and west. No longer able to rely on the vision and instructions of the White, he painstakingly tracked the offenders in the old way, by scent and own sight and endless effort; it was better than to sit at home, worrying and waiting for miracles to happen.
He didn't believe in miracles, in the first place.
As the sun began to set, the grulla was surprised to find a valley situated deep into the western mountains. It was lush, green, unexpectedly warm despite the early spring. Along the walls of the kettle-like pit were caverns, without doubt suitable homes providing shelter and great defense in case of an invasion. Had anyone known about this place? No wonder the unicorns had refrained from retaliating against the Edge during the larger part of winter; they had simply been waiting for better weather, for them to lower their guard.
The old curiosity itched for exploration, but caution made the seasoned warrior push back the urge. Instead he cautiously slipped into the valley, using whatever shelter he could find while remaining wary of guards that might stop him from following the intended plan; to free all those held prisoner by the unicorns, regardless of which herd they belonged to. Of course Solstice was a priority, but he wouldn't leave behind anyone that wished to follow.
Sticking close to the exit point from the lush dale, the silver-coated equine hung back to rest and assess the situation. He needed to find the prisoners, see where they were held, but because of the lack of horn on his forehead he couldn't exactly stroll in and mingle with the crowd. Fajira gave him away too... Suddenly a terse smile touched the lips, and he turned to the white lizard that had settled on his back.
"Fajira, can you take a look around? Be careful, and if they see you, come back right away. If you find those held captive, make some kind of sound to let me know... A bird of some sort, that doesn't exist here." She listened intently and nodded once he had finished, spread the wings once more and took off, sticking close to the ground as she made her way deeper into the vale.
Just because their minds couldn't connect, didn't mean they couldn't understand one another anymore. It would take more than a loss of voice to separate those who had been together for as long as they had.
L A C E and F A J I R A
there's .b l o o d. and .g o r e. on the floor |
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