She had danced for so long, the constant offering like worship in the spirit of her people. For Merici it would serve as distractions and a moment of small grasped tranquility.

She had always been peaceful and gentle spirited, the nature of her people had been something of a balance. The warrior fierce mentality of the men, the gentle serenity of the women.

Like Ivory and Ebony it would hold within it a balance as unusual and unique as every stripe that would touch their flesh.

There had been so many years that had passed since the massacre of her clan, the Darkdust clan taken over and wiped out by the rival tribes.

So many years since she had been the only one left, so many years since her first arrival in Rhy'din.

The meeting of the minotaur, knowing Horam in those years....was different then it was now but then with the years that had passed, how would that be a surprise.

In the Glen she was tranquil as her body again would give itself into the dance, each and every muscle felt and remembered to cord and ripple beneath her striped flesh.

Merici was learning well that you could return to a place of your past, but could not in turn return to the past. So much had changed in Rhy'din that she had no choice but to move forward.

Nichodemus and Kothas were changing her outlook, changing the uncertainty of her feelings about her return.

So much had not stayed the same, but some things....had changed....perhaps for the better.

To the last remaining member of the Darkdust clan, perhaps it was just best to move on and not look back to what had been left behind.

The dreams clung to the morning as she woke, stirring with the sensation of the pain smoldering its reminder of presence at her flank as those soft dark eyes took in the beauty of the glen in the early mornings.

She had returned to Rhy'din because it was the only place she could claim as home since the Darkdust tribe had been destroyed.

Once the drive had been nothing more then to carry on her bloodlines, back then when she had kept company with a minotaur and a horse much like herself.

Not so much had changed and still it seemed as if the past was best left in the past and for her to find a way to look forward.

The strangeness of her life had continued to run jagged and smooth lines of fate that Merici had yet to understand.

Keeping company with creatures that at home would want nothing more then to devour her as their next meal, and of all things taking care of them....even playing with them in some odd game of curiousity at this new found kindness in those considered as predators to her kind.

From scrubbing down a soaked wolf that had only moments before protected her, to swatting at leopards with her tail, to curling against the presence of a winged lion while keeping hold of his tail.

Such strange events now in life but seeing the morning light gleam against the southern glen Merici was beginning to understand a new feeling, a new emotion in her life....hope.

His.

The word ran circles rampant in her mind. They turned in unexpected ways through her spirit. Her heart.

Never to be expected yet here she was, accepting it all. She belonged to him but not as property.

Vaguely Merici recalled claiming the same of him.

Hers.

A winged lion and a zebress.

It seemed a fairytale.

Make believe.

Yet...

It all had happened.

He was hers, she was his.

She could only wonder what else might happen next. A soft sigh and she rose to greet the dawn.

As always the steps would carry her....and she ever would move willingly within that dance.