I WILL LIVE FOR YOU


It felt like his lungs were on fire. While the World's Edge was truly not too great a distance from the Basin, Xanthos had wanted to assure that he would not be caught up with, aussre that he wouldn't be dragged back to that hellish place. He would miss nothing but it's beauty, however sour it had been turned with the presence of the distasteful unicorns. There were few exceptions to them, like Soren; he could only pray that the young colt would continue to strive towards a higher purpose, to keep himself away from those who spat upon hornless.

By the time he reached his feet had met the grassy floor outside of the Steppe, the grullo was out of breath, nostrils flaring as he drank in the crisp morning air. It burned, and his legs begged him to stop and take a break, but he wouldn't halt until he had made it to the Edge. He was beginning to grow apprehensive with each step he took towards the borders of the land. The great Weyrleader had extended an open invitation to the misty forest, but Xanthos couldn't help but think, what would the rest of the herd think? Once they learned that he was the one to have stolen the Dragonheart, would they turn up their noses, ignore him, attack him? Sucking in a deep breath, the stallion pressed on, now at a steady trot as he entered the World's Edge. The cool mist was invigorating to his hot hide, and idly, the grullo thanked the Gods that he had finally made it.

He was a sight to behold, his coat still splattered with the Dragonheart's very blood. It looked as though he had taken part in a massacre, when really, it had been nothing of the sort. Mirage's plan had been one of brilliance, but in his excitement to finally escape the Basin, he'd hardly given himself time to think of what to tell the Empress when she arrived. He had felt a fool in the presence of the Empress and her Haruspex, but now that he was free of their reign upon him, he wouldn't dwell on it.

As he walked cautiously into the Edge, he was ever alert of any approaching forms, doing his best to scent out Mirage herself. She had taken to the skies in her departure, however, so he wasn't surprised that it was proving a difficult task.

BEFORE I DIE