And so, as the heat of summer gave way to the crisp mornings and warm colors of autumn, we found our way to the tropics, having agreed to make the journey before the Crossing isle became too cold.

In truth, I was keen to get there as soon as possible, but Snow was more relaxed about our timetable, which nearly drove me to madness in the few days before we finally left. I became even shorter with him than normal, barking at him several times to keep quiet and leave me alone while I lounged the hot days away in the shade. I tried to keep my mind occupied by remembering everything I'd heard about Atlantis - which wasn't much, other than the fact it was warm and wet and green year-round - and trying to imagine what we would do once we were there.

Naturally, I thought of you once or twice too, and how I'd rather be doing anything than trying to build a new life that didn't have you in it.

When the day finally came, there were storm clouds on the horizon to greet our approach. The island loomed wild and green before us, and the sand beneath our hooves was the softest and whitest I'd ever seen. It was cooler than I had expected, but the humidity was so thick I could feel it cloaking me like a damp blanket. It was beautiful, though - unlike anything I'd seen before, which was exactly what I needed. It was a lush alien world of promise - and maybe even of danger.

I wished, just for a moment, that you could be there to see it with me.

My lips parted with awe, I glanced at my brother to see his reaction as we dallied on the beach, our coats still dripping from the sea. I gave myself a half-hearted shake, but it seemed to hardly make a difference to how damp I felt. "Should we... just walk in?" I asked him, staring at the imposing wall of jungle before us.