The bright day began with Hé’s company and only improved from that point on. Ashamin led the spotted stallion confidently out of the threshold and towards the Thistle Meadow that rested in the heart of the land, assuming that the newcomer might want a safe and verdant place to rest after the journey, which only needed continue a little longer. With every passing landmark that the Clovenheart knew came a story; he chose to turn south and take them through the path where the Deep Forest turned into the Green Labyrinth, in the hopes that, with his poor sense of direction, they wouldn’t get too lost in either place. Still Ashamin told of the Deep Forest’s eternal darkness and often strange happenings, and of the way that the Green Labyrinth had been thrust into their land. When night fell, when they stopped to rest, Ashamin spoke of the Goddess of the Moon while Lochan, perhaps out of worry, travelled farther and faster to meet the Clovenheart (who, given his nocturnal habits, stayed awake for much of the night.)

It was only when the sun rose again that Ashamin encouraged them to continue on. Lochan was introduced as a second companion, who’d come from north in the Blood Falls, near the Hidden Falls and Aurora Basin, herd lands ruled by the Gods Earth and Spark. He led them to walk where the earth turned to sand and the flats could be seen in the distance, let his long tail extend like a banner to draw the missing horizon, and spoke of the Sun God’s gifts that reigned over the days.

And so the journey went on in that fashion until they reached the thistle meadow, where the trees did not gnarl or block out the sun but provided comfort, and where the river ran through like the land’s essential vein. Perhaps Ashamin would have said more than "here we are" if not for the sight that appeared before them next.

Above, Chaska flew by with the same grace and power that Ashamin had once admired in Einarr. It was a pleasure to see the stallion again, and given that their last meeting had been in this very meadow Ashamin wondered if it was Chaska’s preferred spot. "Come, this way," Ashamin said to his new friend and companions with a quick nod towards the direction the sabino had flown. There was no hesitation in his movement, and he burst into a quick trot, feeling renewed despite his lack of sleep.

Beyond the trees the river revealed itself, and safe beside Chaska was the little filly Gemini, whom Ashamin had welcomed into the Unbound not long before. "Chaska, and Gemini!" he called out to them, a warm smile spreading across his features as he drew closer to the water. It was not deep, and both seemed to be keeping their wings dry, but given the heat Ashamin wouldn’t mind cooling off in the river. Lochan and Rakt did not wait for permission before bounding forth and throwing themselves wholly into the cool wet, kicking and lowing as they went.

"It’s good to see you looking so happy, young Scout," Ashamin said to Gemini when he arrived at the shore. He turned back to look at the newcomer then, and beckoned Hé with a smile that suggested he need not be nervous. "I’d like you both to meet Hé, he is the newest addition to the ranks of The Unbound, and your new ally in these wilds,” Ashamin introduced as he stepped closer to Gemini and offered her his cheek. Hopefully this time she would not be so scared and might accept the greeting.

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