Perhaps a mere week had passed since last she had departed the Threshold, trailing the flight as she was bound to these days, her herd-brother Levi and their newest clan-mate Ilacta. It had been a swift union, the raven mare shaking their frill spiel off with rather a curt nod and swift departure towards her new home. Africa was not so bothered about being left to traipse through the vast wilderness of Helovia alone; to return home last but not least. Such had simply become her new way of life and there was little she could do to change that.

The one-winged mare and her guardian Zephyr travelled long through the night...

As dawn peeled away the murky darkness, Africa slipped between the first redwoods flanking the enormous forest which was the Threshold. She had returned so quickly not only to feed her social cravings, but because the luxury of shade- even partial was something a desert dweller coveted. Warmth lingered, swelling the air into a pungent barrage of fresh pine, sweat and staleness, and Africa did not find it terribly welcoming. That was Tallsun’s blessing on their ever shifting landscape however, and she continued uncomplainingly, sodden as she was after a long merciless journey into the north.

Silas soared through morning’s half-light, scouring the territory below for sign of movement, should Africa have let her guard slip; like so often she did. His passion was her wellbeing, and always his mind searched through impenetrable darkness for some union, understanding; the link that might one day bring their senses together as one. Already their souls; throbbing tender hearts were combined, and mostly that was how they reached out to one another- emotion was perhaps their most powerful form of communication.
As he sailed between the rugged old wood of the forest, the young Zephyr couldn’t help but notice a pair of horses- both apparently young, even from the alien perfective of an avian. The smaller of the two shared the gift of his beloved, two wings; his company without. Dipping and swooping towards them, Silas’s heart began to stir, to pound, in a vigorous effort to rouse the attention of his wandering companion.

Africa felt the strain of the little avian’s heart, its burning desire reached out for her and quickly she altered her path to follow the direction in which he had flown. Her step was careful and clean; the tread of one who had practiced the art of concealment many times, but that was not her purpose this day.
The dappled mare sent a soft, cheerful call ringing through the shaggy undergrowth as the sun’s bright cloak of light fell across the area- shafts of rich gold spilling through any unfilled space in the sparse, prickly canopy above. Silas swept towards her, warmth and affection spiling from his shining, black gaze and the little Zephyr landed comfortably across her back. Together they continued forward, towards the two figures which materialized before Africa’s intelligent amber eyes, not far through the trees ahead.

“Hello there...” Her naturally soft, sweet voice offered them as she and Silas paused a considerate distance apart from the pair. A tender smile was issued to each individually, her pale grey complexion showing nothing but the tranquillity which pooled inside. Africa could not tell how long they had been talking, but noting the young colt’s position she could only presume that they were still caught up in initial introductions.
After a thoughtful break, to let them continue if they wanted to, the young mare spoke again- in turn. “I am Africa, from Dragon’s Throat.”

Silas who still was perched upon his beloved’s sweaty back watched the strangers, noting curiously that they were as dissimilar as water and fire. The filly bore a coat as golden as the midday sun- he thought immediately of Fina, the fire-bird who he had met for the first time not weeks before and bristled aloofly at her memory. The creamy girl was leggy, and cloaked in hair beyond the youth which gleamed in her eyes- each of those legs, and her face also was a dark shadowy hue that he found quite striking.
The colt was dressed in a grey much darker than Africa. Silas noticed quickly the strange red glow of his eyes, and narrowed his own as he fluffed his feathers cagily in response to the unusual trait. The young Pegaus’s wings were still juvenile, but not weak and flaccid like a newborns- the avian could see easily that flight had already been mastered.

“I have come to extend the security of my family- my home to you both, should you be seeking that comfort.” Africa could see easily that the filly and the colt each, were perhaps too young and inexperienced to be roaming the tangle of forest at large. She did not presume for a second, all that had filled their lives mind due- keeping her thoughts and worries safely tethered to the pulse of her gentle heart.