What happened? There was a kingdom meeting and the earth rumbled with disturbance and then her world went black. Tytos was there, leaning against her side before peeling away to look elsewhere for interest.
Whatever happened, at least it's over.
At least she can move and wake up and resume her life.
Nayl had never left; she could never leave the Jungle. Her blood runs thickly with Queens and passionate Amazons alike. This is her destiny, her passion. There had been a reason that she abruptly vanished but she can't offer a reasonable explanation as to what. In the back of her mind she knows they will ask (they always do) and she won't be able to configure a sensible answer for them. Already she feels her tongue dry and swell in her mouth. Why? She asks herself but subconsciously she knows.
(Only failures abandon their post)
A sharp breath is sucked into her lungs as she stirs from underneath fallen leaves. The world left her alone, undisturbed. They never searched for her or even found her. Locked away in her own prison Nayl slept in solitude. When she blinks her hazy vision diminishes and she can truly see again in this ocean of green. A corner of her mouth lifts in a crooked grin as she steps forward, then again. She finds a trail that leads her to her beloved sisterhood where she may finally reunite with them and see what has changed since her slumber.
Somehow I have become the Amazon's unofficial greeter. I enjoy my position, getting to be curious about newcomers and returning members and hearing their stories. I take a small amount of pride in knowing whether someone needs to see my mother or if they can be gently persuaded to speak with one of the other important mares in the Jungle. My mother is so busy, and I do my best not to add to her stress. My favorite time of day is when she finally joins me for sleep and I can sigh with relief, knowing she is safe and well.
Not that anyone really stands a chance hurting her. I grin, thinking of the surprise someone would get if they underestimated her skills.
It is these thoughts that are whirling around in my head as I trot down a familiar path and almost plow headlong into a mare I don't know. The first is unsurprising, considering my lack of grace. The second is more disconcerting, considering I know nearly everyone by sight if not name.
"Oh!" I squeak out, once the surprise has passed. I offer her a friendly albeit embarrassed smile, "Um, hello. I'm Sette. Can I help you?"
Nayl blinks slowly as she looks up to the canopy above. There is so much wonder high above the trees. She wants to see the world but all she has ever really known is the Jungle (and the brief visit to the meadow to meet father). It's her sanctuary, her life source. This is all that has meant anything to her and so she hasn't had the desire to leave or even travel abroad. In the back of her mind she realizes that the day will come. There will be an opportunity that she wants to rise in the ranks and so she will have to outstretch her diplomatic hand and visit the outside world.
She can only hope there will be no distractions.
Mother got distracted and it led her into a downward spiral.
Caught up in her own thoughts, Nayl doesn't notice the girl until after they are within reach of each other. "I need to pay damn attention," she mumbles to herself inaudibly as her ears twist back in self shame before erecting again to hear the informal introduction. A grin is forced onto her lips, brightening her pretty face despite how clouded her intentions truly are. Her face is a perfect mask that is always able to conceal what she truly feels. Perhaps that is a quality passed down from father. It has done her well so far, at least. "My name is Nayl. I--" she doesn't know what happened or how to even explain it so she diverts, "Who is Queen now?" Is it still her aunt or has Scorch finally resigned?
She begins to wonder how long she had been absent from the world.
Once upon a time, Sarkis had left the Jungle. She had gone to the meadow, she had meet another horse, and she had learned the world was not as kind as she believed. Since then she had left only one other time, with several others, escorting her sick Dam to the Falls. Before she finally succumbed to her illness and passed. Father had followed, all in one day her world had ended it seemed. She had lost so much, yet there was still plenty left behind, if only she could see it.
Everything was changing, had changed, she was no longer a princess. The title was not something she was shamed or hurt to lose, it was just another thing lost, but it added to her list. That day it seemed endless.
Slowly time passed, wounds healed, her heart felt less heavy with each passing day. Finally Sarkis stepped out into the Jungle with something other than sadness lining her eyes. She was ready to face the world again, to face the Jungle and its inhabitants. Including her sisters.
It is not long before she spots some, two to be precise, though she doesn't know them by name. Approaching slowly she offers a nicker in greeting and a soft "Hello." She comes off sheepish, unsure if she is in the company of the right group. She had already learned that walking up to strangers could have a nasty outcome.
Another girl exhibiting weakness. What type of children is the Jungle producing?
Nayl's head turns slowly to regard the young girl looming near. With doe eyes and a timid voice she offers them a short enough greeting. Perhaps once, when she was a child herself, Nayl would have scoffed the two of them to find fiercer company, but she finds herself drawn to them. They are a part of the sisterhood, born into this dense, green world as she was years ago. They are young, malleable, with virgin eyes and bodies. Unable to see into her ambitious mind they can only see the gentle smile that touches her lips and brightens her pretty face. "Hello, I'm Nayl." Her name is honey on her tongue, dripping with temptation as she glances between them both. "Confidence, ladies, you are Amazons. You should act like it, no?" Mother didn't even have as much confidence as Nayl; somehow it skipped a generation and the trait dribbled down from her grandmother. Of course, Echion was more arrogant with a tongue of knives, but maybe one day Nayl will have reason to achieve that.
Maybe one day she will follow in grandmother's footsteps.
With a brow slightly lifted she asks, "How long have you both been in the Jungle?" She has always been poor at guessing ages, especially since magic is so often tainting the minds and bodies of those she meets.
I blush, dipping my head. It's difficult to be confident when your legs are growing faster than the rest of you and you're in the awkward stage between childhood and adulthood. I bet no one has ever been more eager than I am to grow up. My life feels like it is in limbo, waiting to start. I am not a baby but neither am I able to fully contribute to the jungle like I wish I could. I make a solemn vow to change that as soon as I can. Perhaps one of the warriors would be willing to help.
I straighten, about to attempt to redeem my clumsy introduction, when another unknown face joins the conversation. This one, though. She smells familiar. A bit like... Vi, I think. I give her a curious look as she approaches and a gentle smile to put her at ease. I know so much of what it is like to feel uncertain of your place, and though I don't know why this mare feels that way, the sheepish feeling is a universal one.
“Hello,” I say. “I'm Sette and this is Nayl. Welcome to the Jungle, both of you. Lagertha is the Khaleesi.” I smile with a touch of pride. “She's my mother."
I turn my dark eyes to the older mare curiously. She speaks like she knows the Jungle and I wonder at her story. "And to answer your second question, Nayl, I have lived here all my life.”
As far as I know, this is true. The memory of the broken home I was born into is gone, and in its place is the love and acceptance I have found in the Jungle with the iron gray mare as my sole parent.
Of course things are at times, easier said than done. The older mare greets them with a name, Nayl, and also a vote to display confidence. Conduct oneself as an Amazon. Sarkis hasn't felt much like an Amazon for a while now, with more time perhaps she could. She was emerging from her depression, but she had yet to crawl out from the darkness in full. The loss of both of her parents had struck her hard with grief, and she didn't know how to cope.
The little smokey filly greets her as if she has just arrived, a smile for that. As if she didn'ty know who the girl was, or even know whom was caring for the girl, Sarkis doesn't recall Lagertha being pregnant recently. "How do Sette, Nayl. My name is Sarkis, and I know very well who the Khaleesi is now. My mother is- was Scorch." Her eyes find the ground for a moment before returning to look at the other girls. Her tone was kind but sad, saying it out loud was still the worst. "I have lived here since I was born, though I doubt now that needs answering. For three years now." She scoots her hoof against the Jungle floor something to take her mind of the one awkward social interaction she had experienced. Usually Sarkis could be found chattering away, to anyone, to no one. Perhaps soon she would once again find her voice, maybe a little girl time was just what she needed to crack the shell again.
"How about you Nayl, I've seen you before I think. Have you lived here your whole life as well?"
