She considered the stallion quietly, her expression thoughtful, mild gaze embracing too his bonded. Lace made no secret of his surprise- cheerfully so she hoped boldly. With a coy smile she accepted the reality of his kind words, preferring not to rummage through the clutter of memories that he referred to. Those troubles were long past, and Africa’s nostrils rattled softly instead as she nodded. “Ay, ” she grinned, “Many things have changed since then.” There was no time to mope these days, she barely found time enough to quell the hungry ache in her belly... She was older, mindful, and though delicate optimism still glittered across her selfless gaze, it was not as trusting as it was even before they’d met.

Crimson, black and gold; the feathers woven inter her mane fluttered playfully in the dry, brackish wind, twisting and twirling beneath the luminous flames above. Africa was glad for the cover her friend had offered. Although she thought Lace harmless, kindly in fact, a friend, and quite the opposite of threatening, there was an inescapable vulnerability each and every time she fixed her thoughts to transform. His touch had been gentle, reassuring, and the one-winged mare’s long black-tipped ears turned quickly when the sound of his response caressed them. She could not help but smile broadly. Their Lord and patron was far more generous than deserved, but He was far wiser than they and she trusted His plan without question. “Cera, thank you,” she hummed serenely as eyes still paler than the golden sand by their hooves fell across the marvellous face of their guest.

Cera stepped back quietly after speaking, and the easily distracted mare turned to find his movement. For many reasons she missed life in the shadows, allowing those stronger and more adept to wield the power she had so undeservedly been given. Africa appreciated the opportunity gifted to her nonetheless, respected the faith their Lord apparently had in her, and she pushed valiantly through her many reservations for better of the herd. Perhaps this path which had fallen by her feet so unexpectedly was the reason Silas had found her- by the grace of his heart beside her, the one-winged mare felt confident, resilient, and more determined than ever before.

“What an honour,” she continued after a lengthy, thoughtful pause, quite delighted that Lace and Fajira shared with Dragon’s Throat an affiliation with the God of the Sun. “...let’s not roast here by the bridge then. Come, you can freshen yourselves by the lake.” She turned and offered affectionately her nose to Cera, before lifting away her lonely wing to gesture to the couple to follow. Silas, who quite preferred the company of the scaled folk than any other bonded type, croaked amiably, celebrating the rare taste of humble cheer as it blossomed through the mind of the mare.