An eerie silence seemed suspended through the ancient Threshold forest and it caused the hair to prickle along the length of the one-winged traveller’s spine. A mist too, low cloud cover perhaps, pregnant with rare summer rain was draped between the whiskered arms of the trees, and combined they created a rather unsettling ambience which Africa had only witnessed once or twice over the many years spent trawling for life there. She walked slowly through the strange, veiled world which seemed now so unfamiliar, choosing subconsciously to place each hoof upon the wiry tufts of grass foolhardy enough to set root between the hungry jaws of the ragged old redwoods. She was able to pass by skilfully quiet, and with only the muffled whisper of her breathing to signify her presence should any other be listening carefully enough.

Dawn broke overhead, flimsy rays of weak sunlight dribbling through the sparse canopy to illuminate the billowy fog; to begin the process of burning it way. The Starry-Eyed favoured the hours of light far above those of the night (quite unlike her star-spangled, unlikely companion), and felt a great warmth spread through her core. It did not matter that the sun had barely risen, nor that its fingers were still devoid of any heat; the spiritual young creature delighted humbly in his presence though, believing wholeheartedly that the God of the Sun was watching. As the light grew ever brighter around her, Africa’s stride lengthened and her neck arched with the grace of stirring confidence; but she was careful all the while, because villainous folk still scavenged through these part, hunting the weak minded and oblivious. She had encountered much suffering at the hand of the wicked and sought with eagerly searching eyes, to find any straying blindly through these parts.

Through the tangled boughs above, Silas swooped ahead of his beloved searching also, with eyes far sharper than those pearly yellow pools set upon her pale feminine face. He posed as the lookout naturally, the mare’s own private guardian; confidant and soul mate. They traversed the world of Helovia united, tied together not only by the manner of their bond, but also by the experiences shared, the devoted companionship shown over the seasons past. The zephyr rarely parted from her side; he knew the kindly, placid nature of her soul made her vulnerable- he had seen it, witnessed them hunting her. As he flew vigilantly through the cool, still morning air, the brilliant chime of an avian couple snared his attention. So quiet was the entire forest, that he could not help but be drawn to their sound (not for pleasure, his type roamed in alone; they were habitually a shy species). Even the cicadas thrumming chorus was yet to begin, so he came upon their roost easily, like a bat upon a moth fluttering.

Africa followed, intrigued also by the sheer joy she perceived to lace the bird’s song. Her graceful grey form rolled effortlessly between the trees, the rhythm of her gait matching often the tune as it continued to flood the forest around her. It did not take her long to locate the pair warbling, their nest, the tree; the stranger gazing up at them from below. “Hi there...” She cooed tenderly, noting instantly the preoccupied grin upon the painted mare’s pink-stained lips. “Their song is beautiful, I came to listen.” Gingerly she slid closer, though not enough to breach the personal space of the other. With long coal ears fixed towards the birds above, Africa settled herself with also a small smile etched into her modest expression.