I felt him before I saw him, and heard the pattern of his wings before enough distance for speech had been closed. When eyes couldn’t be easily used, it would seem that other senses took the liberty to develop as compensation. Our ears had become most important, the slightest change was noticed by sensitive hairs that ran down each sensor; smell also enhanced itself. “Midas,” the orange one said, addressing me by name and not title. If only Hector knew how much his manner was appreciated; too often the herd saw me as their General instead of brother and friend. I turn my muzzle and shift sideways to greet him while giving ample airspace so our wings didn’t collide. “Staying busy brother?” I asked quietly above the whistling wind. Hector was recently promoted, a decision that was both fair and wise from my standpoint. The amber warrior had been nothing but loyal to his family, he was also a great brother in arms.

Those sunset eyes fell to the ground and mine followed curiously. The pitiful wall held nothing back; our thoughts mirrored the other, yet I was the first to give such concerns a voice, “I wonder if it will get finished…” our conversation would be cut short because another thumping sound shook the naked airspace above, I glanced up and sure enough a streak of chocolate came soaring in, “Ho!” she called. Ebony corners slipped into a welcoming beam, I was happy to see our head Sultana safe and at home. One glance later at Hector and I’m bending forward to follow her example by landing.

My hooves touch sand, and they are sure to be followed—Hector would have things to report. She turns to us both, appearing fit and ready for business— there was little to no sign of fatigue across her mug. “Generals,” subconsciously I straighten, and wings trail closer to my barrel as a soldier might stand at attention, “What has happened in my absence?”

Before she left us I had been charged with the duty of caring for our boarders and overseeing troop action. Luckily her home had been quiet for the most part, “Our boarders are secure and your Soldiers are fit for battle should the time draw near,” I thought back to the previous weeks and added, “I haven’t seen any sign of Levi or Aryel. Guacho has been doing well to fill their hooves in light of….their absence.” It was rumored that the two had shared a fling of sorts—perhaps they had decided to elope? “I’m sure you’ve noticed, but magic has returned with the rising of the moon; its only come to a handful of our members though, some remain without their powers. Also one of our family has gone missing, a new recruit, Shadow.”

“The time may come sooner than we think,” she was very direct, almost factual as if saying ‘we might soon go to war’ was a detached part of life. In a way, it was common. Helovia never seemed to find peace for very long; too many bad apples tainted our golden ones. Some more spoiled than others. I frowned, not from displeasure at the idea of war—but simply out of concern for our well-being as a herd. Now, was the worst time for battle; so many of our members are weak and without power. Those that had magic…were often unable to perfectly control it. We would manage as always, none were of a weak constitution.

Kri didn’t dwell on the topic for longer than that one sentence though, much to my disappointment. She went on to give an answer to mine and Hectors response. Fawkes. Brows furrowed, I hadn’t met a Fawkes. Recent indeed, I didn’t know how long Kri had been home exactly; but I hadn’t seen Shadow around the Oasis for the past few days at the very least….it was so hard to tell in this confounding frozen world. Two days, three? A week? She hadn’t come home after patrols and with the herd shrinking…we simply couldn’t risk losing more family due to idle reaction time and uninvestigated hunches. My lips tightened their concerned line when Hector piped up that he would be interested in traveling to find our missing recruit. I thought back, to our conversation under the thicket trees—she had been so interested in magic and our culture. It was likely that her vanishing wasn’t a coincidence; if anyone had her—I bet upon the unicorns up North.

A pause and then she speaks again, this time sharing some news about her ventures visiting our sister clan. My gaze hardened as our beloved Sultana shared some rather shocking information. Mauja was wanted for murder. Lips remain tightly clamped until Kri finishes completely and informs us both that we would need to meet with her by the fire. “Aye Kri.” Quietly I added, “In the meantime, I could gather Intel from Fawkes; just to see if he has any connection to Shadow's disapearance?”