Perhaps, he thought in an absent-minded fashion, he could learn to see past Lyriel's grumpiness. The curve on his lips was starting to become rather pleasant to the eye, especially so with all the things Mauja imagined it meant. It was not a grimace; it was the grin of a pleased predator who had just been told his hunting grounds were bountiful and the game free. He even had enough sense to apologize for his suspicious behavior from earlier, and the alabaster unicorn inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. Perhaps there was wisdom in the great beast, a keen mind. "It's fine," he said lightly, raising his head again, silvered eyes searching for his. "After all, you were already being cautious with your opinion. A great habit in these lands were those who wish for peace and equality run rampant." His gaze narrowed in the darkness, slight annoyance lacing his voice. "Sometimes I wonder what they know, for they often act as if we're the black plague itself, without us having ever openly stated any of our opinions. Ah, well — I guess they see our rather singular species variation and automatically think, they're not like us, they must be racist!" Flicking his tail, Mauja shook his head, cutting off his irritated ramble. No point in talking poor Lyriel's ears off with his woes.

The deep, yet distinctively female, voice of Skylies made his ears flick, and he hummed an agreement of sorts before turning, and beginning the long trek home, north. For once, going to the Threshold paid off — this was a good catch, not one, but two, and already devout to the case. No need to convert, or to beat about the bush. At least the stallion seemed to have a sharp head on his broad shoulders (no pun intended), and, hopefully, he'd manage to keep the more passionate mare's mouth shut. For a moment Mauja allowed himself to be silent, just watching the silhouettes of the trees they passed, and listening to the occasional rustle of a branch as a bird took off, disappearing on quiet wings into the darkness. Within, he allowed his heart and mind to play out the scene again, wondering if he did in right in trusting them, or if he should not. In the end, he decided that it was worth a shot, and drowned the small voice which said he wasn't in a fit state to make such decisions. Others had disappeared, and yet, no one had spread the tale all over Helovia. The graceful unicorn slowed his step slightly, to walk beside them.

"There is one thing..." His voice had dropped, so that no spying ears would hear. "A cause, which goes beyond merely living with our own kin. A vision, if you will." The moonlight marked their path, and glinted off his horn, in his eyes, as he craned his head to look upon them. "Swear on pain of death, that you will not breathe a word of this to anyone, save for those who already know." His own voice was just that, barely more than a breath, as his eyes and ears flickered, nose drawing in the smells and picking them apart. Was someone near? Did someone lurk? Irma, the ghastly owl, swooped through the trees as well, ears and eyes, searching for someone who might listen in to what they should not be allowed to hear.

But they were alone.