The Throat has always held an allure for him. It was where his father rose to greatness, where he was born, where he watched the Wildfire crumble to ash. Deep in his heart, he's always thought of it as home. He's always pictured himself ending up there, it was simply a case of finding the right time. After discussing things with Esinakh, it's settled - they are to move.

Somehow, though, he doesn't think Mai is going to be very happy to see her youngest children flying the nest.

She gave up her position as General to look after him and Esinakh, and it feels like ingratitude of the highest order to throw that back in her face by promptly leaving. He loves the Edge, he does, but it just....isn't home. Surely his dam will understand that her offspring must grow up and move on, will understand that they hold far more of a bond with their paternal siblings than they do with their maternal ones. The calf has never even met d'Arcy or Libertad, and his limited impressions of Oizys are far from pleasant. She treats them like vermin, which Arakh thinks is highly out of order since she's not even his blood-sister, just some orphan bastard that Mai took in. So he's been told, anyway.

Of course, their paternal siblings are far from blameless - they utterly ignored Arakh at Gaucho's death, and one of them even attempted to scar him for life by using her magic to move his dead sire's head. No, his first impressions of them aren't the best either, but he has faith that if he lives with them, things will improve. They have to.

It's a chilly winter morning when the colt rises and shakes the gathered snow from his wings. He's growing by the day, strapping and powerfully-built, with a fine rack of bull's horns sprouting savagely from his brow. Surely his dam will understand that he's a growing boy, he needs to be around other colts his own age where he can rough and tumble and play, practice the battle moves he will use when he's older. "Mai?" he says, hunting for his mother. He shuffles forwards and releases a small bleating cry for Esinakh as well, knowing that she will want to be hear to deliver the news. Finally he calls out for Tembovu, the big king of the Edge who he's assuming will want to know that two of his members are leaving.

No. The calf steels his resolve. This is the right thing to do. Their mother will understand. "Hello, Mai," grunts the colt, huffing softly towards his dam. He feels his sister pressing against his rump and turns around to snort lovingly at her, trying to reassure her with his bulk that this is the right thing to do. She has even more misgivings than him, which is completely natural. But this will be better for them.

The earth quakes as the Elephant King approaches, and Arakh looks enviously up at him. Tembovu rivals even the Wildfire for sheer presence, and Arakh's boyish dreams make him crave the day he is large enough to look these mountainous men in the eye. Instead he moves even closer to Esinakh, ready to reassure her should their king's presence upset her. "Zhokwa khal," he greets Tembovu - big king. He looks at the man's small grey companion with wary eyes, not recognising the species. But these observations are just delaying the inevitable. He's called his king here for a purpose, and as the brother, it is his job to remain strong and guide his sister well.

"Arakh and Esinakh want to leave Edge and go to Throat." The words fall out in a jumble, as though saying them quickly will make them hurt Nyx less. "Rak and Esi have lots of brothers and sisters in Throat. Big family. Rak thinks it will be good for Rak and Esi to live with siblings and learn more about Wildfire." Pain flashes momentarily across his eyes as he thinks of his precious fallen father.

He looks to Nyx, pleading with his eyes for her to understand. "Rak not want to leave Mai, but..." His voice drifts off and he presses his face into his mother's leg. Damn, this is even harder than he'd imagined. "Rak and Esi always love Mai. Visit often." He looks hopefully upwards at his dam, then to Tembovu, hoping the king won't prevent their exit.

After what seems like an intense mental battle, his dam relents, and the calf's body sags with relief. She says she will visit them every day, and the colt nods intently, nestling closer into his mother's familiar grey fur. "We visit Mai too." How could they not? Their mother has single-handedly raised them, so completely abandoning her would just be wrong.

He looks to Tembovu as the large man speaks. Arakh begins to fret; what if they get their mother's permission only to be stymied by their king? Thankfully, Tembovu does not dismiss their question, and the colt sagely nods his head in thanks. The king also offers Nyx to go with them - Arakh's eyes widen and he looks hopefully at his dam, thinking how amazing it would be if she came with them as well. He knows it is unlikely, however; the silver mare is bound to the Edge, it is her home and always has been.

Tembovu addresses them directly then, and the colt nods a sombre nod. "Rak and Esi visit often. Love Mai - not want to leave her." As the large man disappears into the Edge, Arakh watches his retreating form with interest before turning to Esi with excitement in his gaze. It's almost time to make the biggest move of their young lives!