His eyes were half-closed, fiery depths calmly studying the delicate scrollwork of the lilypads surface, his hot breath creating tiny ripples in the murky water's surface. In his mind's eye were hopeful visions of the future; laughter flitting amongst trees with the birds, soft foot-falls muffled with the morning mist while the injured took their first steps alongside a tidal wave of calm, healers and the healed exploring their talents.

The borders will sit with us instead of standing between us.

A new smell entered the scarlet stallion's nostrils and his ears swiveled to catch the faint hoff-falls of another equine. Normally, the winged rogue would have panicked at the sound and the anonymity of the creature, but here, in this place of healing and safety, Rift knew no harm would come to him. Opening his bright eyes fully and slowly straightening as the low sound of a cleared throat passed through the air. Rift found himself gazing into the soulful eyes of an ivory mare. A grin smoothed the worrisome lines that crinkled his forehead, serenity and a welcoming warmth apparent on his slightly dished features. "Hello," his voice was as soft as the downy feathers that coated his wings and shoulders, "Thank you for your presence."

Only a few minutes later, the muffled sound of heavy hooves filtered through the trees and Rift shifted his attention to the creamy pegasus that stepped into view. Mouth opening to speak a greeting to the newest stranger, Rift was surprised by the sudden contact of what looked like a dolphin to his chest. His brows shot up in mild confusion, but he stayed otherwise silent; his travels had all but prepared him for even the strangest of occurrences. As the sleek mammal dove about within the waters of the pool, Rift took a moment to consider the lilypad floating before his hooves, now rocking and undulating upon the pool's disturbed surface.

He'd be tossed around before he would find stability as well.

Straightening and bowing his head, the gangly young man listened to the honeyed vocals of the winged lass, a smile toying with his lips. He bowed his head again, a shallower bob this time, meeting each of the ivory splashed mares' eyes before adding his own voice to the sounds of the forest, "My name is Rift and there is no need to apologize, dear soul." Eyes sweeping the emerald expanse of the wood with an almost childlike wonder, Rift nodded to himself, "Helovia? It's beautiful here. The old magic still stands. I can see the gods here, every facet and every face."

As the words fell from his lips, into the small company entered a chocolate splashed filly with a small and colorful bird companion perched at her shoulder. She chirped a greeting then marveled at the strange dolphin, her jovial innocence reminded the stallion so strongly of his youngest sister, Avarice, that he almost cried out for her. Swallowing the urge to reach out and embrace the beautiful child, Rift blinked back the tears that had flooded his eyes and steadied his worried heart.

The left side of his mouth quirked up as his eyes glittered with a bittersweet joy, "My name is Rift and it's wonderful to meet you, Naerys." The name was sweet as honeysuckle as it rolled from his tongue and his grin stretched ever wider. "I believe that the creature is a dolphin, it came along with the winged lady right there," he motioned with his delicately dished profile toward the bandaged lass.

Suddenly, during an inhale, Rift felt the odd sensation of a runny nose and sniffed quickly to dispel it. Sniffing again for good measure, the rogue assumed that the sensation was merely due to the stress his body had underwent during his travels. Flicking his tail and smiling widely at each of the mares that had emerged to accompany him in turn, he nodded silently; he had never been around many others at once and felt the slightest sense of anxiety creep down his spine.

"Your company is very much appreciated, ladies." Shifting his attention toward the bandaged stranger, the lad cocked his head and studied her for a moment before speaking once more, "I don't believe I caught your name, or that of your charming companion."

What sort of company would these women prove to be?