Was it not the mark of true friendship, when one's loyalties never waver, never deviate, even though the trials of time and distance would seek to keep a comrade separated? To live so far from one's brethren, and never question whether that friendship still stood, just knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that it would be there the next time it was tested. Mirage knew this of her winged sister, of the mare she had met on her travels through the lands, in that blurry time of endless wandering between her fleeing the destruction of Isilme, the dawning of Anarore, and the discovery of Helovia. The chocolate maiden would always find herself welcomed by the little shadow mare, and Mirage was perhaps foolish to assume the same consideration would always be given in return. Did she take their relationship for granted? Or did she simply consider Kri to be like a sister to her, family, where something deeper than mere promises of loyalties, something akin to bloodties, held them together?

Time and distance had grown too far apart recently, however, it was well past the time to reconnect with her closest ally, the one who had aided her in securing this home, just as Mirage had done for her, and would do so again if the time was ripe for war, for the sake of her friend and ally.

Much had happened since their last sighting of each other. That was at the death of a throat member, a strange hybrid gelding who fell after the invasion of this land, whose life had been absorbed by another, stolen after he had so valiantly fought for his brethren. But he had fought by his own choice, and died an honourable death, at least, the little shadow thought, hoped as much. What had happened since that evening of death and destruction? The Edge had been given to her, the mists of the lands had accepted her rule, even the strange Seer of the lands did not refute her authority. She had been stolen away from the lands then, to the north, where she had waited until the poison had left her system and called upon her magic once more. In her escape, she had somehow managed to break other prisoners free, to bring home the one who held her captive as a comrade, a friend who would stand by her, not against her. She had reconfirmed her position as Leader of this herd, even with her absence, she had a proud herd who followed her, willingly, proudly.

The call that summoned her forth was met by awaiting ears, nerves standing hairs on end as the little shadow drifted through the trees like a nymph, pushed forward by excitement at the prospect of spying her ally of the wind once more. Her words were serious, and Mirage treated them as such, but that did not stop her from stepping from clutches of darkness that rimmed the trees and pressing her plush muzzle against the side of Kri's cocoa hued nape, blowing her warm greeting to her fellow with no hesitance or doubt as to how she would be received.

"Indeed, Kri of the Tuuli. Indeed." Was all she said in agreement, her tones quiet, her ears awaiting for news of the Throat with obedient erectness as her chassis moved to stand before her friend. A dragon, small and gold, glimmered quietly in the trees above, flicking her tail lazily to and fro, offering nothing more than a nearly silent warble in greeting before shifting her weight upon the branch, and settling to see what might unfold.

[ Rishima, Lace and Ink have permission to post here if they so desire. ]

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