A lady forgives, but never forgets.

Honestly, right now I don’t think I am capable of forgiveness right away, and resort to finding a distraction. As a new ruler I might not be the first to be expected in the Field, yet here I am. It’s a second home to be as a diplomat and I need it’s normalcy, it’s mundaneness, before going home and trying to make sense of things.

The black filly stands out to me, reminding me of my oldest daughter, and so I approach her with a smile. Or is it that my intuition is guiding me once again? I can’t always say what this relatively new trait of me does… but I shouldn’t mind about it. I’m here now and that’s all that matters. ”Good day to you, my name’s Ilma. I hope you’re well.” I greet her. I know we must make quite the opposing views, my stark, ethereal and sunlit being contrasting to hers. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in this life it is that looks can be deceiving and the past holds no guarantees for the future. So whatever this young lady has been through or done in her life, if she wants a new future she can have it right now.

Beqanna is all about second chances and change, after all. I’ve noticed that much, even if I don’t always see it coming.

Men often forget, but don’t forgive. Truth be told I don’t know if that wouldn’t just be easier?

The filly before me seems embarrassed by her appearance, at least in comparison. However, my dream-like looks are not something I can turn off, and though I can carefully tuck away my wings, and try to dim them, let them disappear like that one time in my desperate need to find a way out of an ice cave, I find it easier to just let them be. For the girl though, I can try - actively seeking to let go of the light, the wings fade at least a little. Darn - I had been sure I could do it, but it seems the magic is fickle.

The girl - at my age I can call her that - states she thinks she is okay, but that she doesn’t remember how she got here. I nod. ”You’re not the first with that experience and probably not the last.” I tell her truthfully. ”I guess what matters is how you go on from here on out. What you do with this new opportunity. Beqanna is a good home, I’ve found. I’ve had some changes, such as this look,” I nod to my legs she has been staring at previously, ”But that doesn’t change who I was, or who I should become.” I smile once more. ”Why don’t we walk to a creek to wash and drink, and I can tell you a bit about this place? Or about my home, if you like. And you can decide who you want to be?”

I try not to get too hopeful; sometimes another has different expectations, different ideas about what is an ideal life. Still, I find myself wishing she is more suited for the sanctuary than my own children (at least two out of three, the third is still a babe but the first two had decided to leave long ago). Niphredil readily accepts my offer. After all, it’s one that she could hardly refuse, I believe - I haven’t tried to impose anything on her.

Yet, I correct myself. Because I would honestly love to see her blossom in our kingdom, or perhaps in Hyaline or Pangea if I may be so bold. But first things first - she has just arrived, and so I nod in the direction I want to go, to find her some water. ”These lands are called Beqanna, and they hold a strange sort of magic. Some say the place is alive, but I personally believe that the fairies, who help keep us safe, have simply more influence on this world than they may have on other lands.” My wings have slowly reappeared, more strongly in the sunlight, and I waver them a moment. ”There’s something magical out here, connecting us to the lands and the lands to us. Unfortunately we have been struck by an illness that the fae seem to be very busy fighting. There may be a full cure in the future. I too don’t exactly remember my journey here, but it is easy enough to start a new life. We have kingdoms, or if you want less political stirring, territories and herds to live in. Some places are more independent than others, some kingdoms rule for the strongest to survive and others, like mine, take in everyone. I can tell you more about the kingdoms if you like to have a general idea of where you could live, or about the magic?” I don’t know which spikes her curiosity more, and I may not be able to fit all in one meeting, but even then, I can at least make a start.

The girl is nearly grown, of an age that a bold youngster might leave home or a less bold one might already have been claimed by some stallion to live within his herd. The perfect age to start a new life, and I can tell she is eager to do so, even though the circumstances might have been better.

I wait for her to wade into the stream and drink some myself, though I am less thirsty than the snowdrop-marked young mare. What she said, sounds promising. A peaceful land she says, a place of light and safety. That, I can provide - as soon as the other kingdom stops making a mess of my short life as a ruler.

”Then I believe you are in luck, or maybe I am. I hail from the Silver Cove, one of the lands safe from the illness in the lands, and the seat of the Sanctuary as we know it today. It originated from Hyaline which lies close by, which is still one of our Territories should you prefer mountains over the seaside. Our other Territory is Pangea, but it might be less light than what you seek. I’d been thinking to house our Sentries there for training, but there’s some unrest currently that had to be resolved first. We’d be happy to have you regardless of what you want to do, even if it means just living with us in the Cove peacefully and secluded.”

“Then of course, if you’d rather find someplace hot, I will help you find my friend Magnus, of Tephra further in the west.” I sort through the other options in my head - but the Pampas are subject to Loess, and the Taiga is too empty (and foggy) to consider. Perhaps Nerine or the Isle; but I haven’t spoken to them for years now. I’d have to reinstate our bonds soon - if anything, I want to leave a Sanctuary to Clay and Dawn that is whole and has allies, instead of the currently cracked one. A good start; and Niphredil can be one of those who can help heal it, I am sure. I think she’ll make a good asset as Speaker or Sentry, and be whatever she chooses to be.

I wonder what she's thinking - then, as she decides, I can see her in the Silver Cove. She might be there just to visit or to stay, but whatever the case, I know she will be with me when I return home today. Her words, coming just a few heartbeats later, imply as much and I nod to her. "No thanks. I'd benefit from your staying as much as you, I believe." I tell her with a warm smile.

As she leaves the water, she seems excited, and it's more than I could have ever hoped for. I hope we can give her the kind of life she seeks, but if not, at least we can help her find that out, help her find her path wherever it leads. It's what we've done with several others before her, I think. Time is never lost if we learn at least something of it.

I return to Niph on the shore, and smile to her offer. "We could always use help. Currently, I think we'd benefit from extra sentries most, but if you'd rather not train in warfare, we could use some diplomats speaking for us in this very Field." I offer. Who knows, she just might bring such warriors home as well. It's much the same thing that I was asked when I first came into Hyaline, I believe - and I can only hope that my time as an Ambassador was what they'd expected of me.

As a ruler, I find that I am the sole responsibility for the Sanctuary, and I'm not sure that I like it; however much my help is currently needed. But I haven't told Niphredil, and I might as well now. "I'm the Queen Caretaker of the Cove, currently, but don't feel obliged to call me by any title. Ilma suits me just fine - especially since I plan for it to be a short, temporary reign. Perhaps I'm just better fit as a regent and advisor." I shrug, then nod to the far east. "Did you want to leave right away?"