The soft wash of glow-light soothed away the outstanding strain which had bound the dappled mare’s thoughts throughout their journey. Although it was an unnatural abode; a quite horrid contrast to the luxury of their dear Dragon’s Throat, that room in particular had indeed become a place of solace. The tumble of water drowned the drone of neighbouring conversations, and while they talked, Africa’s ears held their forward stance with little distraction- save for the frequent, soft clicks and croons offered by her young Roc companion above to his ostentatious company. Her eyes roved harmlessly about the pools of gold rock where they shone beneath the weight of the monochrome stallion’s tread, she was listening though, and drew her eyes higher beyond black capped knees to find his bottomless gold gaze studying the colt. Africa had no reservations; Marco was a well-formed athletic creature whose potential was plainly obvious. Even as the boy’s overly excited response shattered the tranquillity, and the straggling chuckle betrayed his nervousness, Africa felt immense favour for him.

"Well," she began lightly, smoothing the bay’s ruffled composure with bristly grey lips and a tender-hearted gaze, "Why don’t you settle yourself into the cave for now, meet those around you- especially those winged like Midas and myself." Africa turned easily to offer the standing stallion a thoughtful smile- few without formed the Throat’s ranks. Marco was still young, and her own heart certainly did not throb with the burning desire to spar and bruise like she had discovered many of their army’s did. The time would come soon enough for him to strike out and make for himself a worthy reputation amongst their kin. She would watch out for him closely until that urge stirred his spirit to life.

"I will tell you after you have rested, all about our home... (she chuckled, which was an unusual feat nowadays) ...Dragon’s Throat, not this cave. There is much for a young soldier to learn before he wields his first sword." Silas dropped suddenly from the canopy where he and Fina had been perched- not too closely, and landed with a considerate grip upon the silky waist of his beloved. With claws snagging all the while on the flimsy cloth, he skipped towards her shoulders, reaching through the tangle of her sweat-damp mane for a chain. When it was found, she rocked to release the small amulet from the compression of her fleshy grey breast and the young Zephyr dragged it with some effort to pull clear of her face.

Balancing with widespread white-glittered wings upon the very peak of her crest, he fluttered upwards and away to where he had been; but not before dropping the necklace in the mossy mat by her curled forelimbs. "This amulet will keep you from harm. I can’t tell you if magic ails this world right now, but if it does the warding powers within will activate at the command of your thoughts. It is an Earth Amulet, a gift to Helovians from the majestic God of Earth and Water." Africa paused to take a lengthy breath; to smile at Marco and nod with selfless reasoning towards her king. "It will absorb ill-meaning magic that is cast at you, before shattering away." She had learned much since Midas had greeted her return to their home, and the one-winged mare knew too that the trinket would aid the aspiring boy in battle should the need to fight come faster than preferred. Africa did not mention this though- instead adding, "Midas here crafted its beautiful gold chain."

With meticulous care and touch as delicate as a mother’s first nuzzle of her newborn, the mare took a moment to drape the Amulet around the boy’s own skull, drawing it slowly done the length of his unruly mane, until the intricate chain was settled about his throat and shoulders. Then she released the careful clasp of teeth, and let the pendant fall, sliding as it might around to the chest of its young new holder.

Africa