A sense of familiarity settled over the brothers, as the mare spoke of their homeland being told in tales across the lands. They understood now why they had been so attracted to her, it was because she too was from lands not unlike the Path, lands that they may have even travelled to at some stage. Maskan fell silent, a realisation growing in his mind, Madyrn remained oblivious for now, not having connected the dots yet, his attention still mostly upon the glorious Couth. The brother with flamed forelegs did recognise the title of Dreamspeaker however, and his gaze travelled to his twin’s curiously, as Maskan gave a shift of his crown in a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgement that once again, they were on the same page.

Madyrn touched Couth upon her beautiful, chiselled cheek, whispering in hushed, baritone lyrics, “I am sure you would have made a fine Dreamspeaker.” When her eyes sought out Maskan’s with a question, a rare fire of passion lit up his orange eyes, one that Madyrn usually struggled the most to contain, but the mention of Couth’s great granddame had triggered something deep and profound. He nodded, slowly, purposefully, preparing his strong tones for speech, clutching onto her gaze all the while.

“We were not within the Path when we met her, it had already fallen to eternal darkness and disquiet. Equines only ever found their way there, in all the time we knew it.” Memories flooded his senses, her aroma, her beauty, her captivating mind and heart and soul. He shivered, but it was not from the cold, but the memory of her touch upon his sensitive skin. “She ran with us for some time, Couth, aided us in our survival across the lands.” Though she never made it to the Path, at least to the stallions’ knowledge, she had found and lived with them for a number of years – and had made it closer to any semblance of Maskan’s heart than any mare ever had before. Her vibrant, silver hide had gleamed where his was dark, her all-knowing, fathomless chocolate eyes tore into his very soul.

“The Deep Forest is similar only in that trees of enormous magnitude decorate it. The Eclipse only held pine trees, and the occasional oak within its depths. They were different again to trees that require sunlight to grow. As with everything there, they thrived on the moonlight, possessing energy not found in many realms where the sunlight stains the earth.” Madyrn spoke for the description of the Eclipse, giving his brother ample time to process the multitude of thoughts running through his head. Maskan had a look of longing upon his façade, he never knew what had happened to her, but was happy at least to hear that she made it home, to tell stories to her kin of lands she had travelled. Always the tricky little mare, he was pleased at the thought that she might have spoken of their homeland as if she had been there – in a way, she had, through her relationship with them – with him.

“You look like her.” His smile had shrunk, it was small and wistful now, his eyes gazing over her with a newfound fondness; she was indeed a sister to him, moreso than ever before. And to Madyrn? Her appeal only intensified.