everything we are, it just went away
with a slide of the tongue and a sour taste
She wonders what her children will be like – emotional and strong-willed, so much like the women in her family, or if they’ll be colts, brash and reckless and powerful. If they’ll be shifters like herself or their father, or if they’ll evolve into a different kind of shifter – or, even, if they’ll be shifters at all. She wonders what will happen to them if she rises to the throne, if they’ll be princes or princesses to one day have influence over a kingdom of their own. One day her time will pass and they will be all that is left of her and it is a thought that terrifies the girl. She is hardly more than a child, just barely blossoming into womanhood, and to think of life as something so simple to end so soon... she cannot.
She has to live in the now; she cannot fret over what will not come to pass for many years. She cannot bear to continue living in the past, either.
Ilma speaks up then, addressing Clayton beside her. Dawn smiles at the white mare’s words – why shouldn’t he nominate himself? Though their paths have not crossed recently, she knows that the green-maned stallion has made quite a presence for himself within the Cove; he could grow into a strong king himself. She sneaks a glance at the queens – former queens, she has to correct herself – but they do not seem to mind them talking amongst themselves, figuring out a plan for moving forward. That’s what it’s always been about, after all – moving forward. The Sanctuary’s family will only grow stronger from here, once they move past the loss of their loving queens. They will continue to grow, and carry on, as they always have.
Ilma seconds her suggestion of a council, and Dawn dips her head in embarrassment as the woman says that she would be well suited for it. She may not be a fighter, true, but it seems her kind heart is a strength all in its own, one that hadn’t gone unnoticed by the others. That helps to sweep away some of the sorrow building in her chest, the sorrow that has been growing for years.
She also suggests moving the seat of the East back to Hyaline, and at that, Dawn swallows hard. She holds her tongue for now, though, knowing how these diplomatic sorts of meetings go – everyone waits their turn.
A golden-scaled stallion speaks up next, and though Dawn does not know his name, she knows that there is something... almost old about him. As though he has been around for much longer than any of them. His mere presence commands a certain respect, and she watches him curiously as he speaks. He offers to take up the helm of the East from Hyaline, and lends his support to Ilma before graciously thanking Solace and Kagerus and falling silent.
Clayton speaks again, finally offering his own self to be a ruler – alongside her. He says the words she’s been itching to say – leave the Cove as it is – and she nods in agreement, silently watching them as he backs Ilma’s claim as well.
The words come easier this time, though her eyes still shine bright with unshed tears for her queens. “Ilma, do you wish to rule, or just to lend a hand to mentor future rulers?” It is asked out of genuine curiousity – she had offered herself to train a ruler, but hadn’t flat out said that she wishes to rule. “I would be honored to learn how to be a queen with you as my mentor, and I’m sure that Clayton would love the mentoring as well. However, if you wish to rule as well... I am confident that the three of us could make a strong council to rule the East.”
She glances back to the scaled stallion, hoping her words do not offend as she continues – he seems to be quite attached to Hyaline. “As for returning our strength to Hyaline... I am against that as well. As the Sanctuary, we operate best here, in the Cove, where we are shielded from the plague and anyone is welcome. Of course, anyone is welcome in the Sanctuary, whether it be here or Hyaline, or even Pangea, though we do not know where they stand with Yidhra’s disappearance. But our strength lies in our resilience, and we should be able to keep ourselves shielded from outside dangers – including the contagion – for as long as possible. We do not know if the Cove’s immunity will last until the plague’s end, but it has held this long. Once we have found a true cure, I would be happy to return to Hyaline. It is, after all, where I grew up.”
Dawn
oh, it's gonna be a long night