although this world is made of fearsome beasts that bark and bite
we were born to put these creatures through one hell of a fight

His days are full, the routine of them returning despite the chaos inflicted by the plague.

The dust has settled and he has managed to steer Tephra into a position of power in the West, continuing to keep her strong despite the shifting, despite the vulnerabilities such a time always presents. It is enough to make him feel content, relaxing into his schedule and habits, alert to the possibility of danger but no longer feeling as though he has to be hyper vigilant. He even manages to sleep, as little as it may be.

Today though is an easy day, and he is happy to mingle with Tephra’s residents and families—checking in on them and ensuring their safety before breaking away to turn to the border. Perhaps he would make the journey to the field—although it is a further trek than before—or perhaps he would simply walk the outskirts of his kingdom, keeping an eye on the areas where land met sea or neighboring kingdoms.

He never gets to make a decision though because before he can decide, she is there. There is something exotic about her—something ancient and powerful and wholly her own—and he smiles when she sheds the ink and the violent for her more usual form. “Epithet,” he greets her warmly, moving forward through the vegetation and letting his nose brush against her cheek. “I am so glad to see you again.”

He steps back so that he can get a better look at her, angling his head as his lopsided grin grows.

“Are you here to tease me with your presence before you flutter in the wind again?”

Magnus cannot help the teasing in his words, his gold-flecked eyes sparking with humor.

magnus

although this world is made of fearsome beasts that bark and bite
we were born to put these creatures through one hell of a fight

Her company is easy and he relaxes into it, his scarred mouth tilting upward when she says that she is planning on staying in Tephra. “We would be honored to have you here,” he says, nodding when she suggests that they take a walk. It is a beautiful day on the island and he tilts his head backward so that the sun can wash down on him. He would never grow tired of these perfect days, the humid air and the warmth enough to put him in the happiest of moods. It is home, he thinks. It always would be now.

When she inquires about the state of the land, he rolls a shoulder.

“I am sure you have seen that the plague that is running rampant throughout Beqanna,” he says mildly, although there is no fear in his voice. “Tephra has several residents who have been struck with it, but we are managing to keep most everyone safe for now.” He himself is a carrier of the disease although he has no way of knowing that it runs in his veins; that he is, essentially, dangerous for anyone he meets.

But not here—never here. “Still, the land remains protected due to our previous leader, and we enjoy our status as a safe haven for those who need to protect the far reaches of the sickness.”

Another pause, the stallion contemplative as they move further inland.

“But what of you? How have you been since I saw you last?”

magnus

although this world is made of fearsome beasts that bark and bite
we were born to put these creatures through one hell of a fight

He has no idea what it is like to slip into the water and become the ocean or flit along the wind and then become the very breeze that had once carried you. He has no concept of the magic that blurs the edges of her consciousness, stretching her control over her body into something unimaginable and infinite. He is but a man and an exceedingly normal one at that. He is old, and now immortal, but he has no other gifts to speak of—just brawn and grit and the ever present willingness to bleed for those things that he loves.

Still, she interest him and he listens to her words, enchanted by the idea of it. “I had thought the ocean had looked particularly lovely lately,” he teases, gold-flecked eyes warm beneath the sun-bleached edges of his forelock. “I do prefer you in this form though. It makes conversations a little easier.” Not that he minded the idea of her being the waves washing up on the shore or the leaves shading his back.

He continues to walk alongside her, taking a deep breath and feeling the humidity pull into his chest, sitting like a stone there, heavy and full. He has no way of being able to truly articulate the way that this feels so comforting—the way that the land has become his only home. He has lived so many places in his life; to have found one that suits him so well is a rare and pleasant surprise.

“What do you want to do, now that you’re back?”

Again, he looks at her from the corner of his eye, his scarred lips lifting into a smile.

“Other than enjoy such pleasant walks with me, of course.”

magnus