The desert journey had been fruitful, but in it there had been a hollowness, a realization that time had truly passed. Onni was absent, her place taken up by another as a healer, and the stag had been oblivious to the magnitude of the absence he felt in such a profound way until it became apparent to him that she was missing. A friendly face that did not stir up emotions that confused the foreign King would have been a blessed change, but it was not to be. Fiore's company had been pleasant, in ways Kaj was more than grateful for. Without the quiet fortitude of his companion, Kaj likely would have lingered for far too long in the wilds of Helovia, seeking the peace of mind that was ever evasive in recent seasons. Conflict seemed an ineradicable companion, infesting the once-sacred confines of the King's mindspace, traveling alongside him with a mocking grin and vapid eyes deeper and blacker than the sorrows plaguing him. Even still he lingered in the dwindled trees outside the Edge, nigh dreading his return; not because he was lacking in any desire when it came to love for the crown he held claim to, but because Kahlua was sure to be held within due to their agreement prior to his journey to the sands of the south.

His approach couldn't have been more timely, regardless, for the boundaries had been traversed by the weary King though he kept a more relative distance from the shattered skeleton of the wall. A broad form, distantly familiar, stood toe to toe with his Queen on the borders, their voices permeating the air as Kaj stood in silent fortitude on the sidelines. Listening, awaiting what Kahlua had to say, appraising the changes she displayed since he had first gone absent. Thor, his mind idly supplied, barely a whisper. They had battled together, been promoted together though to different positions. Once upon a time, it was the Gentle Heart who had been King. WeyrLeader, in fact. But as the title had changed with time, so had the one who occupied the position.

And that was his Queen Thor was preying upon.

Golden giant strode forward, eyes glittering in detached shades of azure, intercepting, blocking the snap of words with a quiet look of disapproval. Thor was still a long-lost brother, after all, but his words were unwarranted. A deep rumble pervaded the air before his words followed alongside the sound of his lyrics, wings perched in a readied manner. A warning and nothing more. Protective as he stepped between the two, pausing purposefully before moving to Kahlua's side. A united front. "Please control your grief, Thor, and mind your tongue. Kahlua is undeserving of such accusations." Though the words are stern, the deliverance is understanding, coated in soft sympathy but bordering a thick line of disapproval. Apologies come in time, as Kaj had anticipated. Thor's title, the Gentle Heart, did not come without purpose after all. It held a resonating truth, and the stance of the pale King softened as the apparent grief on Thor's rugged features tugged on heartstrings, reminding Kaj of the hole Mirage had left in his own heart.

Stepping forward as the deep voice dwindled into nothingness, Kaj offered pale muzzle to the fallen leader he had once fought beside, trained with, struggled with. Though they had never established a brotherhood like the one he held with Destrier, the bond they shared was still prominent, and having to reprimand the older - when had he aged so much? It seemed unreal... - soldier was difficult. Hoping the other brute would accept his touch, Kaj's vocal rumbled out for Thor's ears only, soft and empathetic. "You have been missed, brother. We have all mourned Mirage's disappearance...but the Edge will always be your home." Though it had been phrased towards the painted lass behind him, Kaj knew he could never turn away Thor, especially not after he had learned of the disappearance of the shadow mare from Helovia.

"If you wish, it would lift my heart to have you among us once more, Gentle Heart." Sincere beryl eyes sought the distraught visage of his brother, sharing with him the memory of Mirage, the agony of losing her. Kaj doubted he would ever recover from such an absence, would ever cease feeling the ache of her removal. In such a way, Thor would never be alone in how he felt.