The trip wasn’t a long one.  Iona certainly didn’t mind the silence.  She couldn’t help but think of how much Orithia reminded her of the vengeful piece of herself that had set off looking for a revolution after the attack that had almost robbed her of her wings.  Alysanne had handled the encounter in an entirely different fashion – Iona got angry, Alysanne was torn apart from the inside out.  That’s what led Iona to seek out Miykael’s help.  Although it seemed that, in the long run, there was more to the story. Iona needed to follow-up with the fallen angel who was no longer mooning over her sister and had seeming left her with a child. She knew he was here. Somewhere. And she would find him. 

When the border of the Edge becomes to come into focus, its obvious that the winds have yet to pick up and clear the mist from the border.  The forests were almost completely obscured, as was the fractured wall. Iona kept an eye on the fiery mare in her company, waiting to see her reaction to what would potentially be her new home.  She’s amused by the girl’s reaction to the mist though.  Iona manages to hide the amusement, though.  At least initially. 

“Of course it is.  I’m hilarious, remember?” Iona deadpanned, looking back at the cream and rose mare.  Iona looked back to the misty forest before speaking again. 

“The mists come and go.  You’ll learn to use them to your advantage. They aren’t much of a hindrance and they disperse as quickly as they come.  Once you learn where obstacles are – especially the cliff - even thick mists won’t slow you down.”  The mist was cool against her dark skin as they walked, beading on her flight feathers.  It was only a few moments before they came upon the eerie sight of the glass wall.  Mist pressed against the surface and water dripped down the jagged pieces making it look even more unnatural.  Iona didn’t keep the distaste off her features and shook her head.  

“Watch the glass.  The glaziers – the herd’s crafters – are working on a variety of projects to clean up this health hazard and turn it into something more useful.  Until that happens, best to watch yourself or save yourself the hassle and just go over.” Iona gestured to the top, but didn’t take flight.  Instead she picked her way carefully over the shards and into the proper boundary of the herdland.  

”So.  I assume you want to be a fighter.  Though you could also choose to be a healer, a spy, or serve under the seer if you wished.  And there’s always the glass,” she added, nodding back towards the glass wall with a smirk.

Well then.
 
Iona hadn’t been expecting to remain undiscovered for long.  However, it only took moments for the pair to be discovered once they made their way into the kingdom proper. “Ask and thou shall receive,” she murmured as the first figure emerged from the mist.  Iona recognized him, but they’d never been introduced outside of large herd meetings.  The painted pegasus really had no say in the matter now.  No time like the present and all.
 
The mare nodded in greeting as the stranger approached, but was quite caught off guard by his demeanor.  Gods.  She wished she shared his enthusiasm about, well, just about anything in life.  The only thing that came close for Iona was, well, flying.  She’d be nothing without her wings. She’d almost lost them once, and that very well may have killed her.  Iona glanced around at his reference to the weather.  The mist was still heavy in the air and low clouds dragged their bellies against the bottoms of the trees.  “Ah, well.  Perhaps not the best day for flying but,” the painted pegasus shrugged her great wings and offered the Seer a crooked smile.   “And yes – Elsa or Nyx would be good individuals to seek out. They’re our two most experienced warriors.”
 
Tembovu found them next.  Gone was his normal diplomatic demeanor and Iona could imagine why. It’d be fun to explain to the newly-crowned king why she brought an angry, seemingly homicidal woman home. At least the blood was gone.  That would have complicated things further. But Iona wasn’t willing to give up on the girl.  There was immeasurable potential behind the anger.  Iona just hoped that the anger was something that they could help her to contain – to channel – to focus.  Not just boot her out and let it fester further. 

She’d been in a similar position once.  Someone had come to her aid.  It had made her strong.  It had given her a purpose.
 
Perhaps something similar could unfold for Orithia if only the opportunity were offered for her.
 
She again dips her head in greeting to the large stallion, but this time provides an introduction since none was offered.  “Tembovu – this is Orithia.  Orithia - this is Tembovu, our King.”  The mare’s gaze flicked between the two – watching for a reaction and waiting to see how Orithia would react to the question that Tembovu had posed.
 
However, Iona broke the silence after a short while, after seeing Erthe join the group.  Seeing the filly caused Iona to relax, somewhat.  The painted woman was fond of the girl and wanted to lighten the mood if at all possible.  “I can personally vouch for all of them.” she said simply. Orithia could take that statement at face value. 
 
“Except…” she added, theatrically, looking over at little Erthe with a mischievous look. “Except maybe this one.  This one might be trouble. I’d keep my eye on her,” Iona finished with a wink and nudged the girl with her wing.