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The fires had ravaged not only the Kawani village but much of the land around it, which was home to many Soquili families and herds. As the flames neared, many ran for safety, or ran to help others. Before the rains could come to quench the fires, some were lost to either the fire itself, smoke inhilation or other gruesome ends. It was a sad day for all.





Shania was so sad. She had been visiting with her father and grandmother, a very rare occurrence, when they had first smelled and seen the smoke. At first, she had panicked, wanting only to run and find her mate Dhiren, but her father assured her that he would be fine. He didn't think the fire was burning in the direction of their home. Taking her father at his word, for he was one of the few stallions she trusted with her whole heart, she followed his instruction, gathered Fancy (her kitten) and Carson (her raccoon) onto her back, and took off, flying for safety.
















Xanthus feared for his family, those with him and those not, but he could only help those who he was with at the time. He had assured Shania that her mate would be safe, but he himself was not sure of anything. All he knew was that he couldn't allow her to run or fly into the fire in search of him. He had to make sure she was okay, above all else. As Shania took off, he turned to his mother Arianna, and told her to follow, as he took to the air as well.

Dante, Xanthus' hawk familiar, had been flying overhead when he spotted the smoke. He flew down to perch on Xanthus back, just as Xanthus made the order to take flight. He took to the skies again, circling overhead as the Soquili joined him in the air.













Arianna was proud that her son had taken charge and soothed his daugher's fear. She had raised him to be strong and fearless, and he had turned out to be just that. She knew what his orders were before he made them, but nodded when he told her. She called to Wesley, and he ran up, jumped on her back and held on for dear life. She flapped her wings gracefully, taking to the air in three quick strides.













The three angeni spotted a large watering hole quite a distance away from the fires, and Xanthus signaled for them to land. There seemed to be other Soquili who had found safety there as well.

Shania made sure Carson and Fancy were safe, and assured them they could climb down now. She stepped over to the water's edge, staring down into her reflection in the water. Tears dripped onto it's surface, making tiny ripples. She was heartbroken by the damage that had been done, and was aching to go and find Dhiren, but she knew her father was right. Sniffling, she looked up and just noticed that they weren't alone. There were other Soquili meandering around the pond, and some still arriving, others were taking off.



















Xanthus watched his daughter, and while he was worried for her, he knew he had done the right thing. His eyes scanned the area, noticing the others who had arrived. He stepped towards a brown winged stallion who had just landed. "Greetings," he offered, "I take it you were escaping the fires?"

Dante landed on a tree nearby, keeping an eye on the area.


















Arianna saw that her son and granddaughter were safe, and she made her way over to where Shania was standing near the water. "You okay dear?" she asked, hoping she could soothe her at least a little. "Dhiren, wasn't it? I'm sure he'll be ok. Have faith sweetie." She nuzzled her granddaughter's neck, hoping her touch would bring her calm.

She returned her grandmother's affection, and half-smiled. "Yea, I know. I just can't help but worry. Thank you grandmother." She looked back to the water, gave one more loud sniff, and rose her head high. "I'll be fine. Now, let's go see if anyone needs help." She said, hoping to distract herself from her worry. She walked towards the first Soquili she caught sight of, a large stallion with scales over most of his body. She approached slowly, calling softly as she neared. "Hi there, are you okay? Were you hurt in the fire?" she asked sweetly.
















"That's good to hear." he said, answering the stallions first question. "We escaped unscathed. I fear for those who lived nearby though. I wish I could have done more, but I had to get my family to safety." He looked around, catching a glimpse of Shania and Arianna nearby. "Today is a terrible day, long to be forgotten. The land has suffered a deep loss, as well as Soquili kind."

















Arianna felt so bad for her granddaughter, but she was right. They should search out any others who might need help. She walked the opposite way Shania went and came upon a foal lying next to the water. He was crying. Arianna approached calling softly ahead, "Hey there. It's alright. Are you okay little one?"

The foal, frightened, jumped to his feet. "No! Leave me alone!" he yelled at her, and ran behind a tree nearby.

Arianna could tell something was wrong, so she followed, determined to find out what was wrong. "Hey now. I won't hurt you, I promise. I just want to help."

The foal peeked out from behind the tree, tears rolling down his cheeks. "My...my mother. I can't find her. We got separated when we were running away, and I don't know where she is." He ran towards Arianna, and fell into her side, crying.

Arianna wrapped her wings around him, cooing softly. "It's alright. We'll find her. Tell me about her so I can help you look."

She was a bit taken aback at his rough commanding tone. "I...do." She was a bit confused by his question, but answered best she could. "I do live in these lands. I'm quite devastated by the destruction that has occurred, and I'm heartbroken at the lives and homes lost. I've been separated from my mate Dhiren, and all I want to do is run or fly to him, but I don't know where he could be."

















Xanthus nodded, "I agree. I hope it's over as well, for everyone's sake." His eyes wandered over to his daughter, his thoughts still on her and wanting to make sure she didn't make any hasty decision to fly off looking for her mate.

The stallion's voice brought him back. Stretching out his wings at the mention of them, he replied, "It means that I am a pure-blood Angeni. Both my parents were as well, and so are my children. Angeni are a highly regarded race of Soquili." He took notice of the stallion's powerful looking wings. "Your wings are magnificent in their own regard. You must be an excellent flier."
















The foal cried, and tried answering, but his sobs overtook him, and it was impossible for Arianna to understand. She shushed him and patted him with her wing. "Shhhh....it's ok. We'll find her dear." She walked towards the water, guiding him along. "Come, let's get you some water."
The foal let her guide him to the water's edge, and he looked down, his tears causing ripples in the water's surface. "Th thank you." The foal bent to drink some water and his sobbing stopped.
"Now, about your mom?" Arianna goaded gently. "What does she look like? Does she have wings or horns?"
The foal thought quietly and answered slowly. "She looks....well....a little like me. She doesn't have wings or horns."
Arianna scanned the area quickly with her eyes, not noticing anyone that looked like the youngster. "Is there anything about your mom that stands out? Like maybe a flower in her hair, or a ribbon on her neck?"
The foal thought about the question and hopped excitedly. "She does have a really pretty necklace. It's made from a bunch of really pretty flowers I found for her. Does that help?" he asked, hopeful that his answer would help.
"You know, that helps a lot." Arianna smiled at him. "Now, let's go look for your mama."
The two of them walked around the area, maneuvering through the small groups of Soquili that had arrived. She was certain that the two of them could find the foal's missing mother, but she also thought that two more sets of eyes couldn't hurt. She made her way towards Xanthus first to ask for his assistance.

The disasters he mentioned only saddened her more. "It is sad whenever and wherever tragedy strikes. It seems you have seen much tragedy in your travels. I could not imagine bearing witness to such events." Tears formed in her eyes as she spoke. "I have not gone to search because I do not know where to begin. My father assured me he would be ok, but my heart aches to go and find him." Her eyes scanned the area for any sign of Dhiren.


















"Flying can be a great joy. I took to the skies with my mother at a young age. She taught me everything she knew. My flying was pretty good, but landings took a while for me to master."

Xanthus' mother approached the two, a foal walking beside her, tucked under her wing.
















"Hello son," she spoke softly. "Would you mind helping me find this young foal's mother? He said she looks similar to him, with a flower necklace around her neck. I thought the more eyes looking the better."

Arianna noticed the stallion Xanthus had been speaking with. "Hello, there. Have you fared well through the fires?"


















Xanthus looked down at the foal. "Of course, I'll help." He smiled at him.
He looked to the stallion. "It was nice meeting you...." he pause, "though I don't think I got your name. I am Xanthus. Please excuse me while I try to help this young colt find his mother."

She pondered on his wise words for a moment. "You know, sir," she said slowly, her eyes staring past him, not really looking at anyone in particular, "You are very right. I am no longer a foal, and I really should be out there looking for my mate. He needs me." She returned her focus to him. "Thank you, for giving me the clarity I needed." She bowed her head in respect to him. "I hope you find whatever you came here looking for, and I apologize for taking off so abruptly, but this is something I must do."

She looked around and caught sight of her father and grandmother speaking to a large winged stallion, and a small colt hidden in her grandmother's wings. They looked busy enough that they wouldn't miss her taking off, but still she wanted to try and step away with as little attention draw to her as possible. "Farewell, sir," she said as she turned to leave, but stopped and looked back. "I'm sorry, I never got your name. I'm Shania, by the way." She smiled sweetly at this stranger, who's intelligent words set her mind at ease about the turmoil of disobeying her father's.

















He didn't want to seem rude by leaving off in the middle of the conversation. He looked to the stallion, "Would you care to accompany us? I'm sure the more eyes that are looking, the quicker we may be able to find this young colt's mother."

He looked to his mother, Arianna. "Tell me where you have searched thus far. It would be better time spent if we don't look in the same areas twice within such a short period of time."

Then Xanthus addressed the colt. "Can you please tell me anything else about your mother? What does she look like, or do you remember where you were separated? This would help very much in our search to find her." His eyes scanned the area for any mares that resembled the young colt.


















Arianna smiled brightly at her son. She always knew he had it in him to be a leader. She had seen him display this quality more than once today. First when he helped guide those who had been stuck inside the heavy smoke out of harm's way, and second when he had given solace and guidance to Shania about her missing mate. Now, he had already shown responsibility for taking charge and finding this colt's mother. She quietly praised him for taking those qualities after his father. He was a great stallion as well who had led the defenses of his herd. Her thoughts came back to the current situation. "Thank you son," she said to Xanthus, and then looked to the brown stallion. "And you, if you join us. It would be much appreciated, but please don't consider it an obligation." She smiled sweetly at him. "I am Arianna, by the way. It's nice to meet you."

The little colt sniffled beside her and she looked down at him. "Where's my mommy? Can we go find her now?"

"Yes, sweetie, we're going to go find her now," Arianna replied.

She nodded and smiled. "It was great to meet someone as wise as you. Maybe our paths will cross again someday. Thank you for your well wishes and I'll remember that. I would never want to disrespect my father." She stepped away and opened her wings wide, taking off as graceful as a swan.

She knew her familiar Carson would look after little Fancy, and that they would be fine until she returned. She did not want to endanger either of them in her search for Dhiren. As she flew off, she felt a pang of guilt at disobeying Xanthus, but at the same time, her heart knew this was the right thing to do.

















He was a bit taken aback at the stallion turning him down, but not all would volunteer their time to help others. Still, he couldn't be angry with him. "No matter then," he said to the stallion turning him down, "As you said, we should be able to find her no problem. It was nice meeting you Fiacha. If I do not see you again, I wish you the best that life has to offer." Xanthus nodded graciously and turned away to accompany his mother and the colt to find the colt's mother.


















She could understand that the young stallion didn't want to leave his own mother to worry about him, and found it rather odd that the tone in Xanthus' voice said he felt otherwise. She smiled at Fiacha, "No worries, dear. I hope you find your own mother soon then. She probably is worried sick about you if she knew about the fires. It's been a rather dangerous time to be away from those who you care about." She pulled the little colt closer to her with her wing. "So, we'll be off then," she said, turning to Xanthus. "Farewell Fiacha, take care." she called behind her as they walked away.








Spoke with Sabin and we both agree that this makes a good stopping point.