TEPHRA MEETING [Magnus, Amorette, ALL]

[magnus]

magnus

howling ghosts, they reappear
in mountains that are stacked with fear

In many ways, Magnus feels as if he has lived this moment before. His mind, spread thin across so many decades, stretches out and lingers on each of the bright lights of memories. First, as a prince in the Amazons—careless and reckless. Then, as a Lord in the Chamber—dark and angry and free to indulge in the worst of himself. They pass like snapshots. Liefde asking him to be General of the Gates under his daughter Joelle’s rule. Snapshot. Joelle asking him to serve as King alongside her. Snapshot. Serving as a warrior in the Dale. Snapshot. Serving as General of the Gates under Mast. Snapshot. Petitioning for Tephra at the top of that cold mountain when Beqanna imploded unto herself. Snapshot. Taking on the mantle of leader when those who founded it with him stepped back to live their lives in private.

Snapshot.

Snapshot.

Snapshot.

His body may bear the markings of these memories—the raids, the wars, the private battles—but his heart carries the worst of them. His mind nearly buckles underneath the weight of them.

It leaves him quiet and introverted, thoughtful as he walks with Kromium and then silent as he takes to his perch to call the quiet land together. It’s only when the stallion says his name that he snaps free from the quicksand of memory, his gold-flecked eyes finding the youthful face of the coltish King. He says nothing at first, tracing the face of a man he barely knows and whom has placed his hands onto the helm.

Part of him wonders how in their brief interaction Magnus could have had such an impression on the other. Part of him grows weary at the idea of taking on the responsibility once more, balking at the idea of the weight of the title and that which comes with it. And another part of him still isn’t sure how he is to feel about the youthful leader at all. It’s the latter part and his uncertainty of the man’s intentions, despite Lucrezia’s reassurances,  that growls the loudest. He nods, dipping his heavy-jawed head in agreement.

“I will always serve Tephra in whatever capacity she needs me.”

But then the Kromium is addressing his daughter Amorette and Magnus just turns to the mare, studying her own reaction to the situation and letting the meeting play out as it will.

but you're a king and I'm a lionheart