The sunrise was always a welcome sight, and especially so this morning. Megaera had been scouting to the north again, on the trail of murderers and cannibals and cold. Though birdsong had come, the northern stretch of Helovia still clung too much to the chill for her liking and the Warrior was glad to feel the warm again. She was tired; away from home she left little time for rest and she meant to take time and recover herself at home before setting out again. She had moved southward from the land bridge on foot, aiming for the Oasis, but changing course for the Diviner’s Fire almost without realizing that she had done so. Meg had walked through the night felt a wave of relief when she spied the fire blazing in the twilight. She had always found rest there, always comfort and warmth, since Africa had shown it to her. More than a physical warmth, but one that kindles in the heart and gave her courage, a bright talisman against the darkness of the world.

Someone was already tending the fire, but in the dim light it was difficult to make out who it was. Even if she could have seen clearly, she mused, it was a small chance that she would have recognized them. She’d been in the fold of the Throat such a short time before the Darkness had scattered them, and an even shorter time since she had returned from her sojourn. She was home now and had been told of the new ranked members of the herd but unless it was Gaucho or Silk(which even from a distance a lack of wings told her it was not, she would not have met this herd member before.

Meg slowed her clipping gait as she approached, and was considerable quieter in her fatigue than was strictly normal. She was built for efficiency, maybe, and speed, definitely, but not for grace. She heard the voice when it started but it was a moment before she could make out the words, a prayer. She Paused, not wanting to interrupt the quiet moment, and it was then that she notice the dark little creature that scampered about and recognized the young Diviner that she had seen briefly at the entrance to Dragon’s Throat.

“Hail!” she called out in greeting and moved forward again. “You are the young Diviner, are you not? I am Megaera. It is good to meet another servant of the Sun, I hope I am welcome at your fire.” She settled herself a quarter-turn around the flames from the gold mare and smiled warmly. Meg had a penchant for being instantly suspicious of strangers, but those that Gaucho allowed in the Throat family, especially those devoted to the Sun God, got a special pass in her book, and Meg was eager and pleased to know them.