"What... now?" The dappled mare stammered, excited by the prospect of sparring again, but equally terrified of her inability, and deterred by her want not to hurt Sohalia (or be maimed herself). Above Silas cried, eager, enthusiastic- he enjoyed the arts of combat, the challenge and exhilaration, but Africa did not; she found absolutely no thrill in violence, at all. She could feel her coat prickling, hot adrenaline flushing through the blood in her veins, and shifted on the spot, neat tan hooves to the front grinding through the loose sandy loam. It was a necessity that they learn- perhaps it would make the journey of self-defence more enjoyable if they embarked on it (to start with at least) together.

Their conversation wandered between times of old, and back again to the present; to matters which would undoubtedly pave the future of their grand home, thoughts of alliance and those she wished one day to bring down upon their knees. Africa would never forget the words of the God of the Sun- his request that she return to him when she was ready to exact vengeance. That time was nearing it seemed, but she had not the heart to figure such punishment without prompt. Nevertheless, Sohalia moved the topic beyond the humming of her memories and the dappled mare nodded, equally concerned and interested to learn answers to all the questions she posed. "Pray we soon find more scouts to send... " she murmured quietly, trying to chuckle away the grimness in the final breath.

Still they stood together... Africa mentioned the reputation installed by the fiercest warrior of them all (or so Africa firmly believed), Kri, and Sohalia presented a new idea; a school, or academy- something which was not directly fed by war and preparing exclusively for it. Cheerfully the grey beamed. "How fantastic!" she exclaimed, drawing from those lingering nearby a sudden flicker of attention. It was though, and she listened with still more focus and deliberation than any subject brought up before as the concept was explained. "I think a school sounds splendid. A solid foundation to build the herd upon," the Starry-Eyed grinned on, completely taken by the idea, "What a wonderful gift your mind is to our friends here, and family. The way you think, it’s... very precious," she insisted, brushing her smile near to the warm body of her sister. "Tell me more, please. Will we offer an education to the curious hearts of all Helovia, or this nation alone?"

She could see the anticipation formed into the lines of the other mare’s feminine features, and made no effort to hide her own enthusiasm as it bubbled forth across her face.

Africa had thought little of the shadow that passed occasionally across her body as she stood content in the company of the white coated mare, bathed partly in dappled shade. She knew somewhere above them Silas was wandering heaven’s highways at liberty, and passed the presence off as him; his body passing each time between them and the sun. Predators of the sky too were not uncommon in the desert, their cry a welcome reminder to serpents and vermin to hide; and though often the Starry-Eyed’s dreamy gaze wandered up towards the world to which she was no longer entitled, it was not often startled by what it saw- certainly not by the familiar comfort of a hawk (his talons and their treasure still clear of her view).

As Sohalia’s one blue and one brown eyes skipped upwards towards the native’s sudden scream, Africa’s gaze followed automatically. It was not until the hunter’s streaking, feathered bodice slipped into that margin of her line of sight that she became truly aware of him, of his majestic presence; of the snake that had slithered from its rock-cover to warm its cold blood in the heat of the Tallsun day. The hawk dove with such precision and skill that the watcher’s breath snagged in her throat; it was both a grim and beautiful end to life. More curious still, was the gleaming circlet which fell from the diving bird’s claws, and as it rolled towards them (towards the paler mare’s hooves), a sharp, inquisitive snort erupted through flared nostrils. The Starry-Eyed knew immediately what the golden gift was, and what exactly it signified.

Astraeus swooped down to collect it and fit it upon the high forelock veiled, brow of his bonded, and broad smile slipped into the one-winged mare’s lively expression. "Amazing..." she hummed in response to both the newly crowned Sultana, and the hawk’s loss. She was both astonished and delighted, and called then with an uplifted face into the atmosphere above, "...Glory to the Sun!" That right decision had been made- apparently.

The wiry mottled whiskers upon her chin lowered again after a brief moment pondering the surreal, spectacular nature of their God; the fascinating way He seemed not there at all, but equally a part of the landscape, the wildlife, their home and them, all at the same time. He was truly a marvel, and she was glad they were His. There is none more mysterious...she whispered beneath a breath, ... none so magical! Enthusiastic gaze quickly found again the lovely white mare’s eyes as she agreed, bumping her nose forward, and the Starry-Eyed readily met it with an affectionate nudge. "Can you imagine a home without such radiance?" she pondered further, gentle tone bright enough this time for her sister to hear. It was an ignorant statement, drawing vaguely from the very few occasions she had stumbled across the borders of the other lands; the bitter Basin, both the terrain and the occupants (and presumably whoever they prayed to), and the misty edge shrouded in night’s shadow with only the weak light (in comparison to His sun), to guide her step. Then curiously she asked with a gentle left-lean to her face, "Have you met any other God, Soh?"

She shortened the other’s graceful name tenderly, the pitch at which she pronounced it thoughtful and confident.

The hawk and the event of his brilliant gift to Sohalia was a strange and sudden distraction, but absolutely worthy all the same. As chat of the deities began to fade, Africa shifted her weight restlessly and thought again about her sister’s school; the plan, which promptly began to rouse her young, ambitious heart with renewed excitement. "Helovia will be all the smarter for an education of this quality." She grinned, not for a second considering who the teachers would be, or how the paler mare would opt to find them. The concept’s picture, demonstrated immediately by her bright, animated imagination was a splendid one, albeit a little blurry and lean on detail. "To think," she continued, passion strengthening her usually and naturally demure voice, "These sands brimming with scholars; taking in young minds (those which were yet to be trained and filled with rich knowledge and culture), and turning fine thinkers back out into society." The prospect appealed enormously, and Africa hoped also that she would be in some way fit enough to contribute- she knew stories, songs, and had a girth-full of experience to draw from.

"And of course they would send pupils..." She assured boldly, but fell quickly silent as she wondered about the Unicorns of the north. They were undeniably untrustworthy, but was that reason enough to discriminate? Could a code be installed to prevent betrayal; to deter the conniving? Optimistically, she thought yes; the potential and benefit far outweighed any reason to attack the school in all probability. It was the foolish desire to find good in everyone that spoke next, and she nodded quietly to the rhythm of the trust that many did not deserve. "I hope the presence of our patrolling troops would remind any guest among us to mind their manners. Maybe we could conduct official Throat business at a location beyond the comfort of our paradise? Just to be safe see, like by old Dragon's Blood." (As long as they had an army to show...) Africa's face turned towards where the old tree should have stood apart from the oasis, well masked by the generous foliage around them.

Africa had also witnessed firsthand the splendour of the God of the Earth; the wings she turned to for flight were a gift from Him. A long time ago, He’d been conducting an orchestra; the song of the ocean, the crashing waves, and a symphony so beautiful that the trees combing the Endless Blue had been stirred to dance. Africa had been mesmerised, carried to another world- but still her love for their patron God ran stronger through her veins. She nodded quietly as Sohalia spoke of her experience, quietly captivated.

The afternoon was growing old, the late light a rich golden red, and Africa was still more grateful that they’d found Sohalia nestled deep in shade hours before. The shimmering surface of the cool, sweet lake, the land’s very namesake, was an inviting presence, especially while the heat only intensified through the lead up to dusk. She thought idly, after turning to gaze out across its vast expanse that a long dip might be in order when they’d finished their official business- and that time she felt, was nearing quickly.

"What if..." she began slowly, a rather grand idea building through her mind as talk was guided down the path of the academy. "What if our crafters work on a shelter- trees for shade, a well for water. The school could stand apart from the oasis. It would be an opportunity to showcase our strength, our lands find metals." Africa was not by nature a gaudy creature, but she saw value in displaying the best of the herd. There was too, still the wall to be rebuilt- and a Forger to be found... "Our creative arts might inspire young crafters to study." A smile glimmered across sun-struck eyes, "A library, Soh! Can you imagine?"

There was so much planning to be done, and though overwhelming to behold, the Starry-Eyed felt not burden from its enormity. "A herd vote." She agreed at last- "Let’s say, in a week’s time?" That should offer opportunity for a better presentation of their plans to be rehearsed; there were many creases that needed ironing out, though Africa was more excited to pursue the endeavour than in a hurry. It meant that their home would again have an identity- one that suited far better the foundations across which the new age was growing.