Zahra, Ilham, and Hanna

It was pride that turned angels into devils

It would never have occurred to Zahra that her wandering lifestyle was anything but normal. She had been so inclined, so restless, for just about as long as her memory served to remind her. Perhaps there were snippets of a time within, when she had traced the borderline of a great lush realm with her father, and she knew well of the golden nest that had sheltered their intimate family. Where it was however, that those events had occurred (no matter how long ago they truly had occurred), she was none the wiser – the span of history behind her was a confusing blur.

The taller mare tenderly questioned the young foal about the company she kept – or more so, that which she did not. Golden eyes gazed curiously upwards; studying the face nestled beneath the soft blue shadow of that pretty blue horn. A name rose quickly to her mind and she spat it promptly with a lengthening smile. “Ze-ro.” The one-winged colt had been there that night for she and Bird, and she did not quickly forget his words. He was going to look after her. “Ze-ro will look after me,” she announced assuredly – despite the mileage which had evidently growing between them. Truth be told, Zahra felt genuinely that she was invincible – the siblings were more than capable of fending for themselves, it was a proven fact (foundations built on sand).

She would see Ze-ro again one day soon anyway.

“Grampa Earth looks after me,” she added almost convincingly as an afterthought…

The creature keeping Sikeax company, huffed where he perched, and naturally the foal’s gaze sought him out. He was a curious fellow, intriguing, but the little kitsune - pressed again still closer to Zahra’s leg - was little enthused. She was weary, traumatised by the events just unfolded – her young mind had not been so lucky. Bird whimpered softly and grimly in place, unable to communicate in any way more with her dear sister. The mood was broken again by the gentle quality of the mare’s voice, and the puppy witnessed from below, the smile dissolve from the towering horse’s lips.

The foal, mind you, appeared oblivious to the somber nature of the conversation she fueled. She danced wildly between topics until at last the Unicorn was breaching the subject of the forest – the name of which when mentioned aloud, drew away a pleased nicker from her throat. Zahra was undeniably relieved to have at last arrived on a topic that would benefit she and Bird directly, and her small skull bounced enthusiastically, “Yes… please.” The prospect of food too was promising, an offer that could not be ignored, and right away the tides of stomach acid within began to vibrate. She was awfully hungry.

The kitsune’s four tails lifted as her sister began to turn, and she flanked the filly closely as few dancing strides drew her west.

“Deep Forest,” Zahra repeated conscientiously as she delved in the direction she presumed the forest lay (all around them was a vast field of white, except for the caves). “Deep Forest!” Knees clicked jadedly as a sloppy surge of adrenaline purged through her veins – it was really all the energy she had left, though another yawn burst through her smiling jaws.