He had a distinct feeling that he had come across a place such as this one before. It was many years ago now, but still the memory of that time was as vivid in his mind as thought it had happened yesterday. He had been younger then and more optimistic, more... opportunistic, as well. Cocky, cheeky like any young stallion and with the illusion that he was immortal, that nothing could bring him down. Oh, it was many years ago, but not so many that Lace didn't remember the trembling excitement as he set foot on the threshold to a new realm. Even now as he gazed warily around the unfamiliar surroundings he had to shake the feeling of homecoming. This was not Isilme. The scent of passing horses in the air might be familiar, the tinge of magic that prickled his skin might be similar, but it was not the same.

It smells like home the White one protested from her perch on his whithers. The slender tail coiled back and forth and tickled his sides teasingly, but he could feel the tension in her small body as she gazed intensely up ahead, just as cautious as he was.
"Don't get your hopes up" he muttered, as much to the little dragon as to himself as he slowly padded deeper into the forest. Did he even want to continue? Lace wasn't sure. He had bad memories of the last place that smelled of magic and horses at the same time. Good ones too, granted, but they were all overshadowed by the all encompassing sense of guilt that left a pungent taste in his mouth whenever he began to reminisce about the olden days. If it hadn't been for Fajira's gentle but persistent comments about wanting to find others of her kind he wouldn't have agreed to continue this way.
The forest and the base of the mountain was gently guiding them deeper in, pushing them southwest in a way that was almost unnoticeable to someone who wasn't paying attention. The air was thick with the scent of horses, winged and horned ones, and it didn't take much searching to find traces of hooves beneath the thin carpet of freshly fallen leaves. It was too much like the Gateway. He had roamed in this kind of area before, trying to recruit newcomers to the heard and sorting youngsters from the old, warriors from common dreg and gently guiding, manipulating them into joining the cause of his leaders. He'd been through it before, but unlike last time Lace had grown older, more cautious. He wasn't about to be swayed into any kind of action before he knew more about this place... And besides, it was for the sake of the dragon he had come. The only thing he needed was to find other dragons, if there were any - he didn't have to mingle with other horses. It would be best for everyone if he didn't.

Quietly mulling the stallion treaded deeper into the new land, warily regarding the landscape that surrounded him. The sun was low on the heavenly arch and the worst of the heat was beginning to fade for the day, throwing long shadows from his dark hooves as they quietly placed down onto the ground, step after wary step. It wasn't that he was afraid, not at all. The silver grullo stallion knew his own strength more than well enough and had yet to grow so old that he avoided battles altogether. It was more that he didn't want trouble. Hopefully they would be able to come and go without anyone noticing, but if his hunch was correct and this place was indeed as familiar as he thought... Well, then at least he wasn't going to let anyone take him by surprise. It helped that they were two pair of eyes keeping watch. The White didn't even need his silent suggestion to take off from his back, deftly throwing herself into the air to scout from above. Their minds were connected, their hearts beating as one, and nothing could surprise them. At least, so they thought as they cautiously picked up the pace and trotted forth, following a well treaded path that led deeper into the woods.

Roaming eyes could search all they liked; it was unlikely they would settle upon the shimmering, fuzzy image of the little shadow that stalked the Threshold. A golden ray of sunlight – or was it a dragon? – filtered through the canopy above, darting this way and that. It was indeed a dragon, a queenly one at that, golden as the sun’s surface, glittering brighter than a sparkling crystal. The creature was bonded to the shadow-mare, by a link than ran deeper than even the ties blood could offer, a bond that combined their very souls and minds. The singsong call of the equine and dragon were gently introduced into the surrounding atmosphere, though the golden dragon's was louder, more colourful, welcoming to the smallest and palest hue that marked her kin. Motions were made, a little ways away, by a dark smudge of a mare, it was difficult to know however – if one did manage to focus upon it for more than a second, they might think it was merely a trick of the sun’s heat, and continue on with their life. But it was a living, breathing creature who orchestrated this magic, this magic that defined her, just as her bond with her dragon did. A smooth melody was hummed from the maw of the mistress, as she crept closer to the silver steed. The shimmering veil fell away from her, and as she approached it was as if she were pulling herself directly from the shadows of the surrounding forest. The Threshold was a comfortable realm, for this mare enjoyed forests, but it was too close to the outskirts, too near to the part where Helovia became undefined and the wilds of the outside world more dominant over one’s existence. Warm, honey-gold eyes peered out from beneath silken tendrils of the charred mare’s forelock, a kind gaze held within them, though very little else was expressed by this devious little mare. “Greetings.” The mare’s accented tones stated, and she bowed her sculpted tiara to the grulla brute. Noting the knowing, educated way in which hewas carrying herself, the mare tilted her tiara on a slight incline, showing her curiosity. “What brings you to Helovia?” The question was posed politely enough, a whisper of a smile hinting at the corner of her lips. The mare’s gaze roamed over the stallion's fine form, drinking him in. He was not young, that much she could see, he had an air of experience about him - Mirage even wondered if the ghostly dragon that accompanied him came from the same land that her beautiful bonded came from. Akaith glided easily down from the canopy now, alighting upon the obsidian one’s hide as delicately as a feather might land upon a pillow, her own swirling gem-like eyes drinking the sight before her for all it was worth. sxc.hu

It was Fajira who reacted first to the new presence. A burst of excitement exploded through their connected minds and threatened to block out any word of caution Lace might have to offer, he could feel his heart beat faster in response to her. The inky nostrils flared as the grulla raised his head, ears twitching at the sound of her pearly trills as she flitted through the canopy up above, the voice full of greeting in a language he probably never would understand. At the same time a form released itself from the shadows before him, and it took most, if not all of his experience and self control to not jump high at the sight of the mare that suddenly appeared in his path. Lace halted, stopped dead in his tracks and breathed out heavily, desperately trying to regain what little composure he had left. Ha, so much for staying alert. If this had been an ambush he and the White would be overrun by now and no amount of experience in the world could help him when faced with several opponents at once.

This mare, however... The stallion swallowed the brief irritation and turned to regard her with amber eyes that peered from below the silvery curtain of the forelock. A moment to listen in the wind and look around them gave away that the two of them was alone, aside from Fajira and what appeared to be another dragon. He amusedly set aside the feeling of mirth that belonged to his scaled companion as she greeted the golden dragon and tried to focus, gathered his thoughts; after some consideration he nodded politely to the shadow mare in return of her greeting.

"Greetings for you as well, and well met, my lady. We have come to seek some company for Fajira, the little rude white one up above. It has been a long time since she greeted another of her species; I would never have thought that we would be able to find one so soon." He smiled faintly, the tone of his voice noticeably affectionate as he mentioned his bonded. A quick glance above their heads showed the shimmering white little dragon as she circled around the golden queen in bold excitement, happily chirping and telling the much larger female about everything that had happened to them the past few weeks. If unstopped she was likely to keep going until she had told their life stories as well...

He was happy for her sake, that she so easily had been able to find a kin, but aside from sharing in on her joy Lace didn't pay her much heed. He focused on the sooty mare in front of him, and without letting his guard down he took a moment to look around, the white tail swishing casually around his haunches.
"Helovia, huh" he murmured in an attempt to pull her into a conversation. "You know, this place feels very familiar somehow. It reminds me of a place some ways to the east from here, a land that had a forest quite similar to this one; also riddled with the scent of horses passing through. Have you perhaps heard of it? Ah, and my name is Lace, by the way."

Cacophony, chaos, noise, trills - general disorder seemed to erupt from the maw of the little white, but it was welcomed. Happiness was infective, the golden queen returned the gestures with enthusiasm, her larger form circling the lithe little white form with a patient air, chirruping and adding her own noises of assent and colourful tones when pauses in the white's tale allowed. Akaith enjoyed the company of a dragon so willing to be open and generally happy, even if instincts dictated that this little white would have little chances of survival had she not been bonded to an equine. But bonded she was, and present she was, so the little queenly one accepted her like a doting mother might embrace their smallest, runtiest child. She talks much. The little gold noted wryly to her bonded, causing a smile to soften Mirage's own lips as the feelings of kinship swelled within her dragon's breast. It was refreshing to meet another who knew of, and held, the bond that could exist between a dragon and an equine. They were eternally bound, held together by a force stronger than gravity, their souls intertwined so that no matter the distance, they would always find each other, hear each other, know each other, better even than the individual knew themselves. Quite a few knew of this bond, quite a few more had found it in other creatures - but Mirage suspected the magic that held together dragon and equine was the first of its kind, the most ancient and complex of all the magics known to the lands. But then, Mirage could always be wrong. "The Threshold of these lands is a haunt we enjoy to keep; Akaith adores greeting those of her species. Your white is a fine beast indeed, happiness is something easily lost when one travels far - it is a comfort to see it so freely expressed by our draconic kin." It was perhaps, unusual for the maiden to be so forthcoming in her speeches, her words simply continuing to pour from her maw, her tongue crafting them with the elegant ease and twist of her accent that spoke of lands faraway, exotic. The charred mare inclined her head and shrugged a shoulder, inviting the steed not necessarily to follow her, but to walk with her, together, through the Threshold - and perhaps beyond. The perceptive little shadow caught on how he kept a subtle, stoic guard on himself, it was something she appreciated, for her own façade was more often inclined to show a bland, empty expression than the subtly softer, more relaxed one that graced her features now. The presence of dragons always seemed to have this effect on her, however. "There are many lands to the east of here." A wry grin added to the gentle curve of her lips, but soon shrunk down again, though the light tone of her voice still held a smile. "My own homeland, a realm where only moonlight shone, lies many years worth of hoofbeats to the southeast. To the north of that, a realm where I met unicorns the first time, to the west of that, a realm where I found my beloved Akaith. Isilme," she paused, allowing a breath to pass through her nostrils in that moment, "has fallen to the fate of an unbalanced world. I have been told of strange creatures, shades, swallowing the lands and destroying any living organisms that might think to stop them." A small frown wrinkled her brow, her gaze drifting ahead of them, her thoughts absent for the moment, she allowed the news to sink in. Though Isilme had never been her resting place, it undoubtedly held a small portion of her heart - it was where Akaith was born, after all. "Forgive me, Mirage is the calling my parents bestowed upon me. Though some have seen fit to call me different here." A snippet of information, a gentle spark of amusement lighting up her eyes once more, as she awaited more words to flow from the stallion. sxc.hu

Accepting the silent invite from the shaded femme, Lace fell in beside her as she walked, allowing the mare to control the pace and the direction. He was aware that she guided him further into the lands, but for the time being he allowed it. It wasn't like he had anywhere else to go, neither was he in a hurry to leave. Fajira wouldn't allow it for one, and it had been some time since he actually had a civil conversation with someone. The rogues and strays he normally associated with never had much to say about subjects beyond food, shelter and war, and it was pleasant to listen to her voice. The more the stallion listened he also began to realize that they had more than the bonded dragons in common. He didn't let anything show on the outside, but the mention of Isilme and the creatures that had infested the lands made his heart almost skip a beat.

Thoughtfully he nodded and offered a brief smile as she revealed her name, but the eyes were absent as he spoke, following the frolicking dragons in the reddening canopy without actually seeing them.
"I never thought I would hear anyone speak of Isilme again" he murmured quietly, as much to himself as to Mirage. "I spent some time there some years ago, not very long, but at the same time long enough to mark me with both happiness and sorrow. Fajira was entrusted to me there..." And there he had also committed the gravest sin in all of his life, both before and after. The grulla spared a glance towards the black mare on his side. What would she say if she knew that he had turned his coat to the wind once, betrayed those he called family and sold them out for something as feeble and uncertain as a safe haven? He didn't know, and he didn't wish to know either. The words burned on his tongue, wished to slip past his sooty lips and leave his sins open for scrutiny and judgment. But he didn't say anything, instead allowing silence to fill the air - well, at least as much silence as they could get, with Fajira being so loud.

If you keep talking that much you'll scare her away he teased with a silent nudge to her mind. He waited a moment for a reply, but was only greeted with a snobby silence - and the noise only grew worse for a moment before the White actually lowered her voice a bit and paused every now and then to give the Golden one a chance to make herself heard. It seemed to be the only leeway she was giving though, because she didn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon, and sheer joy was still overflowing in her interaction with the other dragon.

Lace chuckled quietly at her for a while and shook the elegantly chiseled head. His attention was focused on the surroundings for a moment, but then he turned to Mirage again with a gleam in the amber eyes that was at once both scrutinizing and kind.
"So what brings you to this Threshold, Mirage? I suppose it's not really any of my business, but it seems a bit strange for a mare of intelligence such as yourself to simply be loitering about. Are you looking for something?"

Isilme distracted his thoughts for a moment, the mare observed, it seemed they had similar experiences with the lands as the mare herself did. She raised a 'brow, curiously questioning the way in which his thoughts trailed off, her sharp, aureate gaze cutting a clear path through the look he gave her. Yes, Mirage wanted to know more - she was addicted to knowledge, the power of thought and knowing all. There was so much in the world to learn about, and she wanted to collect it all, all the histories, all the lore and phenomenon that could ever possibly exist… It was a monumental task indeed, but one that she would continue to work at until her dying day. However, she allowed the digression from his original trail of thoughts, though she deigned to address it again should their paths happen to cross once more in the future. Amusement glittered behind her eyes as the queen dragon above them ever-patiently accepted and encouraged the little white's attentions, her long, elegant body dipping and whirling as she lazily flew above the equine's easy meander. Lace's rumbling chuckle inspired a chiming laughter to bubble forth from the mare's own chest, though it was soft and harmonic, much like a gentle hum than a boasting, hearty laughter. Dragons, they were something that so many feared without knowing just how wonderful they truly were. Once again, Mirage found herself glad that she could share another moment with a draconically knowledged being - though her mate certainly satisfied that criteria well enough at other times. "I suppose you could say that." Thoughtfully, the mare's warm voice was toned with the colour of a gentle smile, as she hinted indeed she was looking for something. Everyone was always looking for something, whether they knew it or not, or wanted to admit it or not. Thoughts of the Qian came to the forefront, and she wondered just where this stallion may fit into her future plans, whether he would accept such ideals that she held. At the very least, she would mention them to gauge his reaction, his opinion on them. "My kin call me their WeyrLeader, Lace." She began, her voice taking on a hint of affection as she mentioned those close to her heart; for all of the Qian were close to her heart. "We've no homeland, specifically, though hope to resolve this in the near future." With his history involving Isilme, she wondered if he would pick up just exactly what needed to be done. But her voice had taken on a slightly damper tone - Mirage did not love war, but if they must fight for a home, then they would. "We strive to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to offer aid where it is needed to our allies, to provide a safe haven for those who require it. We are the Qian." Akaith dipped quite low in her flight then, swirling in the air before them, flourishing her wings gymnastically and letting loose a proud, draconic exclamation of happiness. She too, loved the Qian, and was often found keeping watch upon the members of the currently renegade, group. "Some of us linger in the herdlands of our allies, but many linger with myself. If there is a time when my hooves are not carrying me to a place, I am usually found within the Deep Forest, to the south of here." It was a lot of information, given freely and with hints that he would be welcome to find company in her, and her kin, should he wish it. "So to answer your query, I am always looking, Lace. Looking for those who share my ideals, those who would be willing to put their bodies forth to protect those who require it, to accept and love the family that is the Qian." sxc.hu

The sound of their footfalls were silenced by the dry earth and the aged grass that cloaked the ground beneath. For every breath he could scent the fading greenery around them, the subtly acrid smell of the dragons and the warm gusts that drifted from the mare by his side. In many ways it was a pleasant walk, nothing short of a stroll in this cathedral of mimicked fire, where the golden rays of sunlight granted a sense of nobility to even the smallest of details. The arching of the tree's branches, the strands of hair that persisted on obscuring his vision. The subtle nuances of warmth in her voice, as she spoke of her friends and family.

Lace listened quietly where he strode beside her, his shimmering metallic coat lending even further depth to her shadows as they contrasted against one another. Once she finished he allowed the quietness to drag out, only frowning slightly with sensitive ears twitching at the sound of the playing dragons.
"Tell me, Mirage" he said eventually, the voice deep and soft, but with a heavy undertone that reminded of tiredness. "How far would you go for your Qian? No doubt you would fight for them, that much I can tell. I can see it in your eyes, I hear it when you speak; you would go to great lengths for them, and it is only right and just..."

The stallion halted and turned his masked head towards her, a graveness resting in his eyes as he met gaze, unhesitating.
"I don't know anything about these lands" he continued, "but I know what must come from the quest you have set yourself on. Can you say for certain that it will be better for your kin to live in a land won through combat? Fire feeds from fire until there is nothing left. Are you prepared to make the world burn for their sake?"

He looked concerned where he stood, statuesque with the contours of muscle and bone painted by silver and sunlight. Yet the blood that ran in his veins was red still, and he had bled more times than he wanted to remember. For food and water, for beliefs, for vengeance against sins committed. All those causes, and yet he had not found any that justified all the violence that he had seen. It gave nothing, aided none and would only ever give temporary respite before it all turned to be thrown back into your face. Once you started a war it would never stop, and the hatred caused would end up consuming your life and all the happiness one should have been able to find.

All this he knew, and yet he wasn't trying to stop her. If she wanted to fight for a land that she might not need then that was up to her. Lace didn't want to commit himself to the role of warrior again, had no desire to join in with yet another futile war that had nothing to do with him. He wouldn't even try to talk her out of it; all he wanted to know was whether she had the resolve it took to make her loved ones bleed. It would come down to it, sooner or later. He only hoped that she would realize it now, rather than when these unknown souls needed her to be strong and unwavering.

He was an interesting steed. Well-travelled and learned, Mirage longed to know more about his history, about what made Lace Lace. Wisdom dripped from his maw, his tones respectful and yet challenging at the same time. He questioned her resolve, something that she had done herself not a few nights earlier, atop the ridge that was the Veins of the Gods. Her ears swivelled atop her tiara, unusually expressive for a mare so commonly wearing a mask of indifference. It was impossible for her to be indifferent regarding this subject, however. "I would die for my kin, any one of them." She said simply, an unintentional sharpness entered her voice. He continued to speak, and she noticed they had stopped walking, her form stepping around in front of him now, so that they might have a discussion face to face once more. He raised all the questions that she had posed herself, questions that dared to burn her resolve up into a pile of ashes. It truly annoyed her that he was so swift to address such insecurities; she was not used to being on this end of the conversation. "It would be better for my kin to die trying to gain a home, something they need, than to slowly rot where they are, unprotected by the evils that would slay them in these lands." Her voice was strong, it did not waver in her explanation. Her kin would bleed for her, even her allies would, as she was prepared to bleed for them. A snort rippled through her nostrils. Akaith dropped down from the skies, landing elegantly upon her bonded's back, purring in her strange draconic way, offering comfort that only she could offer to her soul-partner. "I know what must come following my actions." She spoke quieter now, but the lowering of the volume did nothing to lower the truth in her words. "Do not mistake me for a war monger." That same sharpness from before entered her tone, her eyes boring deep into his own, questioning him for questioning her. She didn't even know why she felt so compelled to explain herself to him. But then she did… it was the Qian he was questioning, something she was so passionate about that there was no way she could step aside should she ever feel like someone was questioning, or threatening, their purpose. "I saw the lands of Isilme be torn apart by war. I do not long for such things to occur here. Brute force is not my only tool, but is likely to be required considering what it is I ask for." Her eyes cooled in their harshness, but never looked away from the stallion's, nor did her posture shift from the strong, sturdy carriage of determination and grit. "Should another option, one that involves less bloodshed, ever arise for what is needed for my kin to survive, know that I would gladly take it." sxc.hu

He didn't back down nor did his eyes avert from her gaze, even though he felt the strength of the soul that resided behind those gleaming orbs. Another time he might have been tempted to let himself get drawn in by the passion with which she spoke her cause. He might have allowed her to push him into discussion, and ultimately convince him that her ways was the right one. It had happened before, upon conversing with involved horses that cared about something so much that their souls seemed to catch on fire. Now, however, the jaded knight didn't feel like testing his wits. He felt no desire to win this competition of words, nor did he have anything to prove by trying to change her mind. He had asked his questions and she was answering them in turn, with a force he hadn't fully expected from this otherwise so soft spoken dame.

Calmly he faced her, like a rock that allowed upset waves to wash over it rather than dragging it along at their pace. He smiled faintly at the shadow mare, the gilded eyes still disagreeing with her but without contesting her words.

"By all means. You need to do as you see fit; be still, Mirage, I'm not accusing you of anything." Apparently he had pushed some buttons there, and Lace found himself rather curious as to exactly what it was that she had gotten upset about. Was it that he didn't hesitate to question her, or was she actually doubting her own actions? The words she spoke held truth in them however, and if he ever had been a judge of character then the quiet little shadow wasn't one to speak of things she hadn't thought through carefully.

"Just out of curiosity... Is there a scarcity of land that makes you contemplate going to war, or simply a desire for one place in particular? No need to tell if it's too disclosing an information. I am naught but a stranger in strange lands, and it is truly none of my business..." His composure was the same as before, the distance in his movements and voice as exactly measured as when their gazes first connected. Lace only moved to accommodate the added weight when Fajira came tumbling down to rest on his back, quietly complaining over how his discussion had robbed her of her playmate. The little White clambered around on his back for a while, lying down and settling down only to restlessly try to balance out on his neck along the narrow ridge from where the pale mane cascaded; her balance had room for improvement though, and the way she dug her claws into his skin to remain mounted on him caused the seasoned soldier to grit his teeth from discomfort.

He was infuriating in his stony indifference. So easily were the tables turned, so simply had she walked into this emotional trap. Akaith continued to croon upon her back, shuffling her wings here and there, stroking the equine's mane gently with her dextrous claws. Mirage's outward appearance settled, tension ebbed away from her muscles and her sights cooled - a little bit. There was still passion evident behind those liquid gold pools. A nod tilted her tiara as he spoke; she knew he meant no harm by his words, and she berated herself inwardly for allowing her passion to overthrow her façade. It would not happen again. He asked another question, and that devious, shadow of a smile once again softened her lips. Her tones were smooth, gentle now, weaving a tale and explaining all that has led the mare to this point; albeit vastly condensed. "It was once in my nature to follow others, to allow myself to bend to their laws and give them my loyalty without question. I have been in many herds, I have aided the Leaders in making their decisions. But here... Helovia has awakened an ambition with me." Her eyes had drifted during the speech, but the last sentence warranted they clutch onto Lace's own gaze once more with a hint of the ferocity that they had shown before. "I care too deeply for those who place their trust in me, I must deliver to them what I feel is within our rights to claim. I could not undermine my allies by requesting they share their lands with the Qian. My allies have my loyalty, and I offer them my aid when it is needed." Affection once again stained her tones, if there was one thing she wished to convey to this steed it was the sheer love and devotion she felt for those of the Qian, even those who could claim to be an ally of them. Mirage was a unique mare, capable of loving, deeply and wholly, more than one soul at a time - and there was a time when she had indeed found herself torn between two steeds. But things had come to pass and she had controlled her emotions, like she always did, her love for her draconic mate unique as Vikram was himself. "At this stage, any place that would accommodate us and our beliefs would be welcome. I do not long for war, for bloodshed. But I have sought counsel with the Gods of these lands; there is no other option." Finally, she addressed the actual question Lace had posed, hoping to make clear that much thought indeed, had gone into her drawing these conclusions. Mirage hated war, loathed it in fact, but it was a necessary evil in this case - she wondered idly if those who believed so strongly in their racism felt the same. "Forgive me. It is not in my usual manner to bore strangers crossing the Threshold with politics and my life story." Tiara dipped again, the mare's normalcy mostly resettling over her again. Akaith chirruped from her back, to which Mirage allowed a smile to more broadly cross her face. "Akaith wishes to know if we have turned you off Helovia, you see she sorely hopes not. She longs to fly with Fajira some more." sxc.hu

Ah, how tempting it was to allow her beautiful word to soften his guard. She was skilled with words, dear Mirage, and Lace quite enjoyed listening to her voice. Was she aware of how persuasive she sounded? Maybe it wasn't something she could control. He himself could not quite chase the image of another mare that threatened to overlap with her, one equally strong of mind and with a resolve that once had persuaded him into the protection of a family he had never met. The resemblance was striking, but as much as the grulla enjoyed the thought of running by the side of someone like Aera, it also pained him. Once bitten twice shy, they said, and in his case it was only too true.

He allowed the smile on his darkened lips to grow as she finished, shifted his weight and began to walk forward once more. His nose touched her cheek briefly, an offer of camaraderie as much as an invite to pick up their stroll.
"It would take more than a few words of honesty to put me off anything" he reassured. "We would most likely remain in the lands even if you had; Fajira has been longing for company of her own kin for a long time now, and I personally have grown tired of roaming for a while. It is always nice to have a fertile place to linger on, especially now that winter is beginning to approach."

It would be a while still before the real chill would come, granted, but it was an excuse as good as any to remain without committing himself. As far as Lace was concerned their stay would not be long; come spring he would head off again, in search for something that he hadn't yet caught sight of. The stallion figured he'd know when he found it; that elusive something that could put his mind at ease.

"But tell me more about Helovia" he continued, trying to ease himself away from the subject of the Qian. "What kinds of areas are there, do you have a lot of predators?" He didn't want to be the subject of recruitment, or rather, he didn't want to have to outright decline any offers. A closed gate would remain closed, and Lace was loath to burn any bridges. If there was anything he had learned during his years on the road, it was to take offers when they came and when they suited his own purposes.

The stallion's want for deflection of subjects was noticed by the mare; and yet, she did little to stop it. Mirage felt a bit foolish for having divulged so much information of the Qian to him, a complete stranger - and yet, she trusted him. She hoped her trust was not misplaced. Either way, she would be sure to keep an eye on him in the future, who knew what he was capable of. He spoke of Isilme, there was then perhaps a chance that others here who had migrated from those lands, as Mirage had many years ago, knew him, knew his history. Seeing as he seemed to reluctant to go into details, for now, Mirage would learn what she could of him using alternative sources. She was glad to hear that he would linger around, though at the same time, apprehensive. She was concerned that the information she had given him could potentially be used against her.. But no, she would not let that happen. With a quiet determination, the mare resolved to prove to this Lace just what the Qian was capable of. They would start a war, yes, and they would deal with the consequences of that war. They would earn their right to call a herdland here their home, they would prove to everyone that they were a force to be reckoned with, to be respected. Mirage's goal was to offer protection to those who needed it, and in order to protect, one needed strength, of both body and mind. That was what Mirage was seeking here. As they so often did, her thoughts had drifted back to the Qian, but she could tell the subject was one Lace didn't long to linger upon. Even she was tired of the sensitivity the subject seemed to bring up within her at the moment. Maybe you are ill. Akaith said dryly in her mind, to which Mirage twisted a single ear atop her tiara, and gave her a playful mental jab in return. Serenity resumed shortly after, the shadowy mare was sure this steed would have picked up on the subtle interactions such bonds were inclined to bring out between equine and dragon. A devious smile adorned her lips then, as she began a short explanation of Helovia. "The lands are fair; like any, they rely on a balance of power to stay stable, and safe. Gods rule here, to the south lay their shrines where if one is fortunate, they might show themselves and grant whatever one seeks; for a small price of course." She remembered tales of the Tome Guardian of Isilme, though she never saw or met him herself. He was the channel to the Gods of Isilme, but things were different here, the Gods were actively shaping the lands and rallying their followers - it was refreshing and exhilarating. "To the West lies the coastline, to the North a land of permafrost, to the South, a great expanse of woods. And in between; why, whatever you desire." With laughter behind her eyes, she turned her bodice again, posture suggesting he follow her, but if he was not quick enough in chasing her steps, she could just slip into shadows once more. Akaith alighted from her back, colourful tones hoping to encourage play in the white again, before she too flew higher and faster. The time was coming where they would be leaving this stallion to his own devices; unless he proved interesting enough to hold their attention for any longer. sxc.hu

Together they watched the black and her gold, watched and listened as they walked by her side through the forest. A sense of serenity slowly grew within the mind of the stallion, a sensation that might have spread from the imagining of the lands he had yet to see, or maybe from the feeling of contentedness he could feel in his bonded. She was happy to be here, and that feeling soothed his own unease and reluctance. Lace caught himself almost relaxing where he walked, with the white tail swaying casually by the hocks and head nodding gently for every well-placed, graceful step. He knew it probably wasn't wise to let his guard down in the presence of Mirage. She was a passionate personality and a born leader, something he always had held a weakness for. No, with her skill in choosing words and interesting personality that was at once clearcut, sharp and ever elusive, he would do best not to trust her. He had no doubts that she would use him for her own purposes if she ever was given the chance.

But I still think I like her he admitted to the White. Fajira laughed quietly in the secret place where their souls connected. Spider-silk-on-black think too much she told him and stood up, balancing skillfully on his whithers as she stretched the wings with almost feline laziness. Sometimes it is best to simply follow and see, not plan so much. Worry when you have a reason, not because you think you have to. The lithe dragon flapped her wings and allowed herself to glide out into the air, greeting the gold once more with a purring melodious cry that sang of affection, admiration for the golden beauty and a peaceful serenity that was but an echo of the feeling that lived in her mind. Lace was given only a glimpse of the emotion before the dragon gently withdrew her mind from his, leaving only a soft touch to remind him that she was still there.

The grulla watched the winged lizards thoughtfully, without thinking matching his pace with Mirage's. As always the wisdom of his comrade had surprised him. She was probably right, but it was easier said than done not to think, to analyze and speculate about reasons, the meaning of actions and plan for future events. It was in his nature to think; not even the thorough drilling into a soldier he had received as a colt had been able to erase this trait.

He caught himself sighing heavily and quickly shook the masked head to throw away the philosophic mindset that was beginning to set over him. Taking a deep breath, he savored the scent of sun and earth and trees, tried to bring himself back to reality and the necessity of things. The stallion nodded in acknowledgment of the mares words as she finished talking, grateful for the description of the lands, however vague it felt. It was better than nothing, something to go by when he set out to explore. But that was, indeed, something he preferred to do in his own and Fajira's company. Better to see and hear with his own eyes, without the company of someone that might be prone to prejudice - Lace didn't want anyone to color his mind before he had a chance to create an opinion of his own.

For a time longer he walked with the shadow mare, allowing the peace of the day to guide his thoughts as she guided him through the forest. Eventually though he slowed down into a halt, a hint of regret appearing in the golden gaze before it was turned into calm determination. He would not follow her further than this. Not this time, not yet.

"It has been a pleasure speaking with you, Mirage" he said with warmth in the voice. "Perhaps we will come across one another again some day? I wouldn't mind delving deeper into the topics we have touched upon today, should you ever find the time." There was a mildly teasing tone to the voice of the silver coated equine as he glanced over at the mare, and a hint of challenge in his eyes. She was welcome to try persuading him again, if she so wished. Maybe she would be able to change his mind; maybe not. Either way he wouldn't turn down a visit, and should she need him he would at least listen to her before deciding what to do. For now though, his mind was still too filled with old ghosts, too occupied with guilt and shards of broken illusions to allow acceptance of the offer she had not made but that had hovered in the air during the entire time.
The soot-legged warrior stepped around slightly so that he faced a different direction than the mare. With a sorrowful sound the White bid farewell to her newfound friend and came flying towards him; Lace gave the strange black mare a final smile and nodded politely, then flicked the tail and leaped forward into a short canter with only the echo of words lingering behind;

"Until next time, then."