100%
Though generous she had been when sharing her explanation of Dragon’s Throat and all it encompassed, Africa had been careful and clever, keeping to herself the finer details which might easily have been taken home by the Basin mare to feed to her superiors in lieu of some excellent prize or praise. The one-winged mare was no fool, and was surprised to say the least when her single-horned company followed not the same tactful lead. The other went on to describe the physical features of her pit, and the reason for its recognition which (possibly) she had thought might be all the more enticing- the dancing lights of the north which the grey agreed were lovely having witnessed their glory herself But she said nothing, the delicate and civil smile unmoved upon her lips.

Fluttering lashes concealed the expanding intrigue behind her soft-yellowy gaze as Sialia continued, mentioning unnecessarily and liberally the manner of her herd’s allegiance to the horned, and the machine sentinel who allowed no other species into their midst. Africa shifted her weight beneath a deep breath, knees cracking stiffly as she did so. It was all she could do to keep from scoffing her contempt for the raven mare’s foolishness out loud. Soon too she was informed that the Reaper and the Gilded Blade sat upon the bitter throne there- Deimos, the fiend part responsible for taking a Throatling’s life. Again the one-winged almost laughed. Sinuhe, whose life had been robbed, was none other than a Unicorn herself... It all quite confirmed her well masked distrust for that group and their affiliates; they were a hypocritical, bigoted band.

All which Sialia had offered was far more information than she would have bid her own herd reveal, especially given the tension throughout Helovia since the Darkness.

While she wished not the heart of this wanderer to fall victim of the Basin, Africa could not express her feelings so openly here; would not bare her vulnerable ‘throat’ so candidly across the chopping block. Instead she smiled quietly, nodding toward the newcomer who had just spokien and suggested that she first trial life in the cold north. She would be safe after all- here stood her escort... "Fair suggestion. Why not trial Sialia’s offer first then. Should it not win your favour, do come into the south to find me." Of course Africa could not expose the very centre of her home; her heart, so freely to indecisiveness (not while it was still such a babe), only for the black mare to abandon their hospitality ruthlessly and take word of all she had witnessed back into the north. If their world was not to her liking, then she would indeed be welcome to meet again with the Starry-Eyed by the southern Helovian shore.

The Sultana still knew not even the name of the mare they were ‘battling’ for...

Africa