She hadn’t been the only one to notice the strange pair.  The ever-observant king had also noticed the gargantuan blue brute and his winged companion as well, and it seemed that he was less successful in censoring his thoughts.  His words cause a tight smile to flicker across the painted mare’s lips for a moment before her face again returns to a comfortable state of decorum. 

It is then that the large indigo stallion speaks.  She can appreciate his simple way with words, and the smile again threatens to make its way across her lips.  Meanwhile, her mind quickly assembles the pieces of the explanation he offers. The battles.  The Rift. Mauja.

It explained as much about their appearance, but it didn’t really put Iona off in terms of allowing them to stay in the Edge.  She had already invited one of those who had come through a portal to the Edge.  She had only been at one of the battles, but she had heard about the others – heard how many from the Rift had fought on the side of the Helovians.  Plus it was not like they had the option to return home now.  From what she had seen on the volcanic island, it was a one-way trip from their homeland to this place.  What right did she have to cast them out?  It would have been the same as the Edge casting her away when she had walked through the Threshold, and from what she understood from this place that wasn’t at all what the Edge stood for.  She knew her sister wouldn’t be loyal to such a place for so long if that’s the foundations they were built upon.  It was times like this when Iona relied on Alysanne’s moral compass to help steer her in the right direction.  It had yet to lead her astray. 

“Ah. Mauja.  He still calls the Edge home and any offer of sanctuary he made will honored,” she looked to Tembovu for confirmation, but trusted he would agree.   “There are others from your lands – the Rift – that have recently come to the Edge as well.” She thinks immediately of Dacianna – the mare that she and her sister had invited here not too long ago. 

She then turns her attention to the man’s winged companion, having not forgotten about the woman.  “Unfortunately, I think curses are beyond my sister’s ability to heal. The Gods, however, may be able to provide assistance.”  Iona, herself, was not particularly religious.  She had seen what religious disagreements could do…it had torn apart her homeland of Nocturne so she had a mind to keep herself well clear of such things.  However she had seen what the Gods here were capable of, perhaps they would be able to help Naja.