It was the light that drew them closer. A dim, red glow that had nothing to do with the star strewn heavens that arched endlessly above, and that almost drowned out the gentle glow of the cosmic lights. It had piqued their curiosity for several nights now, and it felt natural to make it among the first of their destinations as they explored this new land. Lace had made it a point to listen carefully to what Mirage had had to say about this place, but even though she seemed to be a mare of her words he still wanted to have a look around on his own, to feel the earth below his hooves and see with his own eyes. For once he had ignored the protests of his companion and simply walked away, leaving her to decide whether to follow or to stay with the shadow mares Gold. He hadn't had to wait long, though it was a grumpy Fajira that caught up with him after about half an hour. Even now she still complained about it; her bright voice resounded within his mind as he walked over the scorched earth, curiously studying the red light up ahead.

Wanted to play mooorrre! We should go back, try to find her again. The golden one, the proud queen! Fourlegs shouldn't be so stubborn, should listen better to me. Say, lets go see them now? The White that perched on his back wasn't so much persuading as she was nagging at him. Normally he might have complied with her just to stop the never ending stream of complaints, but Lace wasn't in the mood to give in right now.

Not interested, so stop complaining. With a disregarding snort the silver stallion picked up the pace in a sudden jerk that made the small dragon fall over his croup and had to take to the wings to avoid falling to the ground. He laughed at her as he fell into a sharp canter and ducked under a playful attack aimed at his ears; after in turn failing to tug at her tail with large teeth, the grullo once more faced up ahead. The closer they came to the light, the warmer it became. It was as if the very ground beneath his hooves were emitting heat, and soon he found himself forced to tread carefully, zigzagging between small streams of glowing water; only it was too hot to be water. At one time his hooves had almost made contact with it, and he could still feel the scent of something burning. He had never seen anything like it before. It was fascinating.

The outcast was tempted to stop and explore further, but a silent warning from the White made him look up from the searing hot flows and peer ahead through the darkness. Someone was standing there, so close to the source of the light that all he could make out was a silhouette of a horse, tall and proud and emitting a sensation that Lace wasn't too familiar with. Very few could awaken the feeling of awe within him, but this one... Simply by standing there this figure managed to draw his entire attention.

Without thinking the silvery stallion walked closer, crossed the veins of liquid fire as surefooted as a goat on a cliff. Fajira cooed at him with worry in her voice, and when he didn't reply she came flying and landed on his whithers, the small paws tangling into his mane for comfort and support. She was uneasy, and so was he once he finally managed to come closer to the dazzling creature. There was still plenty of room left between them when he stopped, eyes widening at the sight he beheld; wings and horns together, not to mention the sheen of the coat and the pure, awe-inspiring, terrifying beauty. He didn't have words for the feelings that stirred within, and didn't dare to speak in fear of disturbing this contemplating force of nature in the shape of a horse. Had he come too close? Yet he couldn't bring himself to leave. Silently he remained standing to the side of the God, simple breathing and waiting with the little dragon pressed tightly against his flesh.. For what, he did not know.