I am not surprised to find Dúchanar to be unfazed by my approach, but I am more than surprised to hear his adoration for me to be so… endearing. "I don't suppose you've grown soft since calling the Edge home have you?" I smile lazily at him for such kind words, though they have little effect on me after his deadly confession- I am still unwavering when it comes to the threat that he now poses to the World’s Edge. However, I don’t linger on him for long because suddenly I am lost in the song of this painted sylph, so delightful in appearance and intellect. For a time, I ponder her words and the imagery they evoke. Yes, the Edge is beautiful in the warmer months, so much so that I find myself pacing our borders daily only to glimpse every polished stone and listen to the slight roar of the waves in the background. I am entranced by the beauty here and I have no doubt that she too will find it worthwhile…

“Kahlua, a beautiful name for an equally beautiful creature. Though I daresay that Dúchanar may not have thought to share with you my threadbare appearance in favor of indulging you with the lore of Helovia? I’m quite certain that his fancy holds little concern for a brother in arms.” The chuckle that follows such sentiment resonates from within and no sooner than I can think to stop it, I choke out a hearty laugh. She uses flattery with such tact that I can hardly control myself while in her presence. Perhaps Duch has provided useful after all, if only after such shocking tales of horror shared beneath the intimate light of friendship and brotherhood. I turn to him with a forgiving smile and hope that he can see the bond that we share- I want him to remain beneath my figurative wing because I plan to bring him away from his past and plant him firmly in the present.

As the silence stretches on between us or perhaps the silence that now exists in my heart after so much confusion and loss, I am once again compelled by the lilting words of a blue-eyed nymph whose beauty far outreaches any of her company’s on this day. The way her soft voice caresses my senses makes me think of Tamira and my sweet little Essetia. My daughter had begun to grow and with each passing day her transformation took a toll on my heart. She looked so much like her mother that the pain behind each greeting and each gentle kiss was heart wrenching. Would the hurt ever subside or would I be left bereft without her love and devotion forever?

She had not left me so to speak, but her heart had gone away long ago.

“You will call the Edge home and those within this wonderful place your family. Though, when you find the time, I think it would be most appealing for you to meet the DragonHeart, Queen and prior ruler of the Quian.” I know the Mirage will think highly of our new recruit, but I also know that with such grief riding heavy on her shoulders for now, my acceptance of Kahlua will have to suffice. I do not wish to trouble our Queen with the mundane, especially with the threat of hardship so near in our future and with the pain of death so fresh upon her heart. But I am drawn once again to the mellifluous song of the siren and this time, I am more than intrigued to find that she has already sought out purpose when many others would think to simply walk away and enjoy the rest and relaxation of the sea air after days of travel from the Threshold.

I am impressed.

I glance once more to Dúchanar in hopes that he will understand my gratitude for finding such an advantageous creature in the claiming grounds and bringing her here. He has once again proven me wrong in all manners of thinking by acting so loyally when his words are so often plagued by doubt. “You are quite compelling my dear and we do in fact have many crafters in our herd. I would be more than happy to introduce you to Lace or Aaron- the Glaziers of the Edge. They will be able to teach you how to make those trinkets you speak of, but we are also in the process of constructing a wall around the borders of the Edge to ensure our safety. If this if the path that interests you the most then we will waste no time in making introductions when you are ready. I will escort you myself.” I smile warmly at the mare, though I am slightly confused by her willingness to help me… Perhaps I am letting this title get to me; perhaps I imagined the slight tilt of her tongue over that last word. You.

Mares really did have a funny way of expressing themselves.

Thor