The skull faced stallion stepped foot into his home land. He had become known by most of the people here now, as he was one of the protectors. He nodded to a few horses as he walked by. The fog rolled over the cliff as his ebony body crossed it.

He looked behind him to see if the mare he now knew as Kahlua was following him. He had greeted the mare in the threshold and asked her to follow him home. Her flattery would be liked among certain people, but certainly not among him.

"Welcome to the worlds edge. This here is my home and these people my family. I hope you find this place to your liking. Mirage or Thor shall be coming along soon to see if they would like you to join our family."

He looked away. He hated calling it family, but he knew he had to as his duty to the worlds edge, to Thor, and Mirage. He felt the need to simply walk away. But alas he didnt. He stood by her side and awaited his king and queen. He wasnt sure how things would go if he saw his king again. After all he had told him. Thor still accepted him. He just only hoped his brother did not think differently about him.

((So short Dx sorry... I threw it up really fast because i waited for so long Dx))

Talk, walk and do your thang here. TALKING TO YOUR HOMIES

.KAHLUA

Days had passed since I had obtained knowledge of Dúchanar’s past, many of which I spent deciding how I felt about him now. He was still the same beast that I had invited into my home some time ago, but I now felt as though I held reservations for the beast in the name of enlightenment. My family had become my pride and their safety was something that sat heavily upon my shoulders now. Could I ever trust an animal that thought it acceptable to hide so much truth from someone they considered friend and brother? Only time would tell and though I was not thrilled about the waiting process, I was somewhat convinced that I could trust Dúchanar to think twice about crossing me.

However, when his musky fragrance found its way to my eager senses, I could not conceal the slight grimace that hardened my lips. I was slow to find my way to his side, but when I did, I was surprised that he had returned to the Edge with a painted mare in tow. I exhaled slowly before nodding to the pair with curious eyes. I had no intentions of relating my former suspicions about Dúchanar to this new creature, divine as she was, but I was content to nod curtly to the brute before turning my full attention to the mare at his side. “Welcome to the Edge my dear; I do hope that you find our amenities to your standards.”

I felt no need to introduce myself just yet because I intended to indulge in pleasant conversation before alarming the girl with my title and the intensity that often came with such a position. I wanted her to feel comfortable in my presence before resorting to the automatic reaction of awe that came with meeting any new Lead, though perhaps such reservations were best saved for Mirage as I was often construed as being sickly amiable- not that I minded in most cases. “I’m Thor and I see that you’ve met Dúchanar- he does not often wholly represent the Edge and our customs as some of us are wont to do.” I smiled halfheartedly at the pale-faced stallion in an attempt to convince him of my humor, though I wasn’t quite sure how he would take to my teasing after sharing his past with me…

Quietly, I leaned back onto my hips, now content with the fact that formalities had been covered on my part as I often hated the mundane routine of introductions. For a moment I looked from one blue-eyed creature to the other, quite humored by the idea that the two made a perfect match physically, if not mentally and emotionally. I had no preconceptions about their relationship, but it amused me just the same. After all, I had to entertain myself in some way or another because life could often become humdrum if one let it.

As the cold breeze of Frostfall began to blow against my face, I allowed myself to drift from reality and sway against the soft rushing of the waves in the background of my home. I had no doubts that this mare would enjoy this land as much as I- just as long as I deemed her worthy of calling it her own.

Thor

Duchanar looked to the mare as she spoke. She spoke of him having some softness to him. These words made him cringe. Could it be true? Could the evil stallion be starting to feel again? Could he be witnessing what could be the feeling of loyalty? No it couldn't be. He couldn't let himself subside to loving people enough to call them family. But he couldn't let this mare know how he truly felt, never.

Family is simply what one makes it to be. Just because I say they are my family, does not mean it is how I truly feel. I call them family simply because it is my duty to do so, my duty to protect them. But do I trust any of them with my life? Do I trust them to hold my secrets. That is the thing that defines a true family. And I see none of them in that way, except for... He stopped as he heard Thor approaching. He backed away slightly as he spoke, letting his king have the floor.

His face did not change as Thor made a joke, but Duch took it lightly. "Hey now Thor, I cant help it if I am a pompous ass" He chuckled slightly. It was probably the first time Thor had heard the stallion laugh or show any change in his emotion, well for the better and not the worst. He looked back at the mare. "As I was saying, the only one I look to as such is Thor here. And I hope you cant find your way into trusting him wholeheartedly as I have" he nodded in Thors direction.

Talk, walk and do your thang here. TALKING TO YOUR HOMIES

.KAHLUA

I am not surprised to find Dúchanar to be unfazed by my approach, but I am more than surprised to hear his adoration for me to be so… endearing. "I don't suppose you've grown soft since calling the Edge home have you?" I smile lazily at him for such kind words, though they have little effect on me after his deadly confession- I am still unwavering when it comes to the threat that he now poses to the World’s Edge. However, I don’t linger on him for long because suddenly I am lost in the song of this painted sylph, so delightful in appearance and intellect. For a time, I ponder her words and the imagery they evoke. Yes, the Edge is beautiful in the warmer months, so much so that I find myself pacing our borders daily only to glimpse every polished stone and listen to the slight roar of the waves in the background. I am entranced by the beauty here and I have no doubt that she too will find it worthwhile…

“Kahlua, a beautiful name for an equally beautiful creature. Though I daresay that Dúchanar may not have thought to share with you my threadbare appearance in favor of indulging you with the lore of Helovia? I’m quite certain that his fancy holds little concern for a brother in arms.” The chuckle that follows such sentiment resonates from within and no sooner than I can think to stop it, I choke out a hearty laugh. She uses flattery with such tact that I can hardly control myself while in her presence. Perhaps Duch has provided useful after all, if only after such shocking tales of horror shared beneath the intimate light of friendship and brotherhood. I turn to him with a forgiving smile and hope that he can see the bond that we share- I want him to remain beneath my figurative wing because I plan to bring him away from his past and plant him firmly in the present.

As the silence stretches on between us or perhaps the silence that now exists in my heart after so much confusion and loss, I am once again compelled by the lilting words of a blue-eyed nymph whose beauty far outreaches any of her company’s on this day. The way her soft voice caresses my senses makes me think of Tamira and my sweet little Essetia. My daughter had begun to grow and with each passing day her transformation took a toll on my heart. She looked so much like her mother that the pain behind each greeting and each gentle kiss was heart wrenching. Would the hurt ever subside or would I be left bereft without her love and devotion forever?

She had not left me so to speak, but her heart had gone away long ago.

“You will call the Edge home and those within this wonderful place your family. Though, when you find the time, I think it would be most appealing for you to meet the DragonHeart, Queen and prior ruler of the Quian.” I know the Mirage will think highly of our new recruit, but I also know that with such grief riding heavy on her shoulders for now, my acceptance of Kahlua will have to suffice. I do not wish to trouble our Queen with the mundane, especially with the threat of hardship so near in our future and with the pain of death so fresh upon her heart. But I am drawn once again to the mellifluous song of the siren and this time, I am more than intrigued to find that she has already sought out purpose when many others would think to simply walk away and enjoy the rest and relaxation of the sea air after days of travel from the Threshold.

I am impressed.

I glance once more to Dúchanar in hopes that he will understand my gratitude for finding such an advantageous creature in the claiming grounds and bringing her here. He has once again proven me wrong in all manners of thinking by acting so loyally when his words are so often plagued by doubt. “You are quite compelling my dear and we do in fact have many crafters in our herd. I would be more than happy to introduce you to Lace or Aaron- the Glaziers of the Edge. They will be able to teach you how to make those trinkets you speak of, but we are also in the process of constructing a wall around the borders of the Edge to ensure our safety. If this if the path that interests you the most then we will waste no time in making introductions when you are ready. I will escort you myself.” I smile warmly at the mare, though I am slightly confused by her willingness to help me… Perhaps I am letting this title get to me; perhaps I imagined the slight tilt of her tongue over that last word. You.

Mares really did have a funny way of expressing themselves.

Thor

.KAHLUA