Nianth'halah

You walk down the first path, whistling a tune. Then, a white flit darts by you head, and chirps at you. You look at the little flit, then walk on. He darts behind you, and grabs your hair. He pulls you along, and soon he stops as you begin to follow him.

As you walk, you hear a strange sound. A sweet, but untrained voice is singing far off in the distance.

Before you enter, you make sure you're hidden a little by the foilage, you don't want to interrupt. The creature is a firery chestnut color, almost the color of desert sand. As she sings, she keeps the time with her hooves, stamping them. She seems to be singing to someone lying on the ground, but you can't see that far.

Then she is joined in song by a rainbow fire-lizard. It hums in tune, making harmony and giving the song more depth. She looks at her flit, and rears in time to the song.

You crouch down to get a better look. The creature has deep blue eyes, and long horns coming off the back of her head. Her white appolosa rump stands out from her chestnut coat. Her song is quiet, but sweet.

Then she turns, and sees you. She has a surprised look on her face, but she doesn't stop her song. She looks to her flit, who swiftly flies over to you.

*If you're listening, you'd better come into view. At least let us perform for you.*

The little flit speaks to you in your mind as he's humming. You slowly emerge from the bushes into clear view.

Her voice tapers off to a whisper and she bows her head. "Haram Salu, K'zarti. I am Nianth'halah, Lead Mare of The Clan of the Silver Rain," she bows swiftly, her mane swinging over her neck.

You are taken a little aback by the speech. She looks at you with her blue eyes, and you feel more comfotable.

"I see you've not seen any other creature from Tir'na'bainne'gile'láir. I am a Manhon Pah'llock. There are some Papillions here as well, perhaps you will find them."

You notice that her speech is smooth, as if she's lived here all her life. But you can tell that she is not native to this realm. You wonder how she got here. Then you feel a twinge in your mind. You look for MysticWing, but she is not here.

"Ah. I am from Tir'na'bainne'gile'láir, or The Land Of The Milk White Mare. Since the Pah'llocks were decimated by a Bulette, or a Land Shark, not too long ago, The two surviving tribes have begun to foster out foals. The Winged One visited the tribes, and when they were ready, she was able to foster me. When I arrived here, as a foal, I only spoke Allorian, my native tongue. Oasis, the unicorn, taught me English. She seems to enjoy taking care of all the new fosterlings to this land. Now, I am a mother, and a foster Dam to Sahduin." She looks around the field, and mutters quietly to herself. "And now you wonder if I'm a mind-reader as well. No, I' not, but Memith," she gestures to the flit, "Can. He does it so I can always understand."

You nod. You feel violated when someone reads your thoughts.

The mare sighs. "My mother, Sa'nitha, returned to Tir not long ago. She left just after my first foal was born and Sahduin arrived. Perhaps Sahduin can call her spirit...she has done it before." Her ears pricks up, and flick around, listening.

Nianth'halah turns to a worn path leading away from the meadow. "That is where my Kree'd!nis Aliz now lives. She is sensitive about her eyes, K'zarti, so be careful." She smiles. "Sahduin needed her independance...she is not a 'normal' pah'llock. She knows things that I may never understand." Nianth'halah look at the path. "I do miss her company though."

The great mare walks up to your side. "You should visit Anka'ethen, my first daughter and foal. She is like my Kree'd!nis Aliz, she is the t'shallo par yom sha." Nianth'halah switches her speech so carefully that you hardly notice a difference. You stop and give a questioning look to the mare.

"What did you say?"

She laughs. "'T'shallo par yom sha' means 'The bringer of Joy to my Heart'. It's a phrase I tell Sahduin often."

"Uh..what does...Kree'd!nis Aliz mean?"

"Oh, when you see her you will know, but 'Aliz' means 'Eye'" The mare smiles to you.

"You have just missed my mate and Daughter, Cathanla and Anka'ethen. It's a shame really, he's quite handsome! And Anka looks like the lone star you can see in the morning." the Pah'llock gets a dreamy look in her eyes, just thinking of Cathanla and her daughter. "If you you are interested in fostering one of my foals, go that way and you may find some photos and some info about all the clan members."

You leave Nianth'halah dreaming, and wish her luck with her clan.