He had been right, something was definitely troubling the King. He recognized those heavy words, the overly chipper tone, the weak smile all too well; it was like looking himself in a mirror. It was a state so common that it had become second nature to the silver stallion, a mask that fit closer than the very black paint upon his own face. Lace ached for the stallion beside him, feeling how words of shared plight crowded the lips and threatened to spill over...

But no. They weren't close enough for the kind of conversation it would take to lift the spirits of one another. The excuses the GentleHeart came with were clear enough, as was the distracting glance towards his withers. Lace allowed a faint smile to slip over the lips, understanding and accepting; this was perhaps not the right time to say what had to be said. Someday though, he would be more than willing to listen if Thor had the heart to share the load that weighed on the sturdy shoulders.

Instead he made a small nudge with the head towards the edge of the forest behind them, answering without needing to ask what the other had meant by the questioning look. It could only be one the pegasus would inquire after, only one that always followed with the presence of the grullo.
"She's asleep" he reassured, shifting his stance as the mellow wind tugged at the silver forelock. "Her wounds in the battle were severe; even after being healed it takes time for her to recover."

Intending to oblige his Lord's wish for a lighter subject of conversation, Lace was about to continue speaking of Fajira when the sound of hooves from behind made him interrupt himself, head turning to spot the new arrival. A polite nod was offered as a painted mare came up to them, bringing along a fresh scent of forest and greenery that made the elder equine smile.

"It's nice to see you too, Kahlua" he replied to her greeting, stepping aside so that she too would have room to step up to the edge of the cliff, should she so desire. "How have you been? It seems that life on the Edge is treating you well." He felt a pang of guilt as he followed her movements with the eye, noticing the little treasure of rubies she placed next to her. Rightfully he should have been there for her more, been more available for an aspiring crafter and helped her develop... But with how things were now, Lace weren't going to spend long moments in the moon-blessed forest, not if he could help it. He had renounced his own rank, had spoken harsh and painful words to the one he loved... The knowledge that the dam now was free to take up the position he had left behind was not very comforting at all.

Dim vales- and shadowy floods-
And cloudy-looking woods,
Whose forms we can't discover
For the tears that drip all over!
Huge moons there wax and wane-
Again- again- again-