"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
02-18-2018, 02:22 AM (This post was last modified: 02-18-2018, 02:29 AM by Ardashir.)
An adventure was a welcome change for Ardashir. And, this one was given to him by the queen of Nerine. He could not refuse her and he had not wanted to. He was restless and always moody it seemed as he stayed in Nerine and just stewed. Hestia had no reason to trust the young stallion with a diplomatic task but, her asking had made him brim with a little bit of pride, and it was good to be of use to your home and those that ruled it. Ardashir had the forethought though to wait for the dark colored queen. He did not want to leave too far ahead of her incase there was any trouble that reared their head. He also was not a wizard with words and would surly trip over himself if alone. Plus, adventures were always better with another traveler in your party. Hestia could always refuse and leave him to walk alone into the mountain kingdom of Hyaline.
The white stallion stood out against the colors of fall. The path he had chosen was new to him but the scent markers left by those of his own kingdom helped him to keep track of his heading. He was hoping to come into the lands of Hyaline at the base of one of its mountains. He did wonder as he traveled about the meaning of this diplomatic venture as always Ardashir was out of the loop. He had started to seclude himself more and more along the forests of the hide away he had found. He thought to himself as he walked that he had become more like all the others of Nerine that hid within their own secret places. The stallions ears lowered some at that thought and he drug his feet a moment regretting his stagnation.
The south of Nerine had been an interesting temptation to visit from time to time. Ard of course has skirted the Kingdom of Hyaline when he ventured to the Forest. The boundaries between the neighboring lands made a crossing of territorial lines nearly impossible but, Ard had at least tried in his journeys to be swift in not lingering too long uninvited. The fall months offered an easier time to travel. The weather was not too hot to be out in the open and, also not so chill that it sent one seeking some sort of shelter. The air was full of new scents as the borderlands grew closer. Ard made sure to take a moment to look around at all the new sights around him, and the sounds of bird calls he had never heard made his ear prick forward.
Ardashir stopped and took a deep breath scenting the air before continuing. He was careful as he grew closer now to the border markers. The stallion paused and swung his ears around. He now stood at the border between the two kingdoms and he looked around not sure what to expect next really.
Ardashir
The blue in an ocean of grey..
@[Hestia] @[Amet] @[Solace]
You’ve mistaken the stars reflected on the surface of the lake at night for the heavens.
02-22-2018, 05:21 PM (This post was last modified: 02-22-2018, 05:23 PM by Volcan.)
volcan
Burn slow, burning up the back wall Long roads, where the city meets the sky Most days, most days stay the sole same Please stay, for this fear will not die
Hyaline, their land’s neighbour, was hardly a new experience to the smokey woman, as geography necessitated that they cross their territory whenever they so desired to visit the common areas of Nerine. It was hardly surprising that Nerinians were elusive and leaning towards solitude; it was a pain in the ass to get any socialising practice in… if you were into that kind of thing, anyway.
She didn’t remember seeing the white stallion at the meeting, but it’s entirely possible that he was there and she missed him entirely. He seems nice enough, and a pleasantly quiet travel companion… not that they had all that far to go.
She stops behind him, waits for Hyaline to notice them, send their diplomats, whatever. She didn't really have much of an opinion here, but she hoped that they would arrive sometime soon. There was no joy in waiting, only anxiety, restlessness and boredom.
The northern border of Hyaline saw little activity, so when Solace sees a speck of alabaster moving steadily southward from Nerine she springs her mountain perch to meet the strangers. In the sky, her urgency mellows as one strange becomes two and she watches as they halt the border -something few visitors do.
As she realizes these two are most-likely diplomats this formality suddenly seems like a test, as they wait patiently without calling out, probably to see how long it would take before Hyaline knew of his presence. The young Queen wished to think well of her reclusive, northern neighbors but with their past history of collecting subkingdoms, she remains on her guard.
Her thoughts are calm and collected as she lightly lands in front of the pair, just inside of what would be considered Hyaline. Her recent meeting with Wound is still fresh in her thoughts, and while she does not expect either of these two to suddenly reveal their family connections, she assumes they will be seeking many of the same answers.
Down to business.
"Welcome," that pale mare states and she folds her wings neatly to her sides. "Most of our visitors come the Riverlands, so you have to excuse the delay." She looks from one to the other to see if either presents themselves as a leader before continuing. "What brings you to Hyaline today?"
She’s sent the young diplomats ahead of her, she had to stop at Loess first. She knows nothing of these subkingdoms, nor why Nerine would enforce such a thing. For as much as she remembers of the old world, she knows even less of this generation. Just that Nerine is in enough disarray that it’s taking every minute of her time to put things back in order, and she still finds that she needs to pass out jobs rather than do it all herself. All the kingdoms seem to be struggling, and hers is no exception.
The black mare arrives just as she hears the question that would begin the discussion. Hestia assumes they have already introduced themselves, so she steps forward nodding to the woman on the other side of the border. You will need to excuse my tardiness, I am Hestia. She pauses for a moment as to make sure that there is nothing left unsaid before they will begin.
Nerine is… turning a new leaf, and part of that is becoming acquainted with our neighboring kingdoms. Seeing if there is any sort of alliance that can be determined, or at the very least we can come to understand our standing with you. Especially as we often must pass by your borders to reach the common lands and I don’t want us to be rude or intruding when unwelcome. Or for some wandering soul accidently wandering off the allowed passage and causing an incident I’m sure we both don’t want. She may not smile, or laugh, or be a friendly huggable personality. She also isn’t disdainful or judgmental either. She understands the caution; all the kingdoms are walking on eggshells right now. At least as far as she can tell.
Assessing them for anything other than friendly purposes is out of the question, and if the woman told Hestia that she didn’t feel comfortable with the young initiates, the black mare would send them home immediately. Today they are here for one thing only. To learn. So that one day, when they are confident in their skills she may send them to do this on their own without Hestia having to give it a second thought. Much as she has Djinni Scorch, and Heartfire doing currently. It makes the kingdom run so much smoother.
The coastal queen strategically sent her diplomats to deal with the distant kingdoms on their own, so that she could focus on the kingdoms closest to Nerines borders giving these the respect of a leader’s presence as is their due. Other alliances may be just as important, but there is something to be said about making friendly with those who sleep next to you.
HESTIA
The devil whispered in my ear, “you’ll never survive the storm” I whispered back, “I am the storm”
Sorry you all had to wait so long for me
Need me to change anything let me know.
A third joins the gathering, creating a small force of Nerinians. The presence of the new addition immediately draws Solace's full attention and she readjusts to properly face the dark mare.
"Queen Solace," she offers in the brief pause after Hestia's own introduction. Rarely did she introduce herself as such, but she figured it would help prevent confusion later on.
Hestia dives into the meat of the conversation, and Solace listens with careful attention to her each word and intent of her phrasing. This was her new neighbor after all, and this dark mare could make her life hell - or be her strongest ally.
"Hyaline is a peaceful kingdom, a Sanctuary. We are a kingdom of mothers and wanders, singers and warriors. but the quality which unites us is our desire for peace - and my duty is to sustain that peace. If your subjects understand this and do nothing to break my trust, I would enjoy seeing them pass right through the heart of our kingdom on their journies elsewhere. They would be honored - fresh faces and kingdom news is always welcome." Her voice is low, almost musing, as she offers the party a glimpse of Hyaline. Peace was her main objective, and it would be a weight off her mind to be allied with her reputably strong, northern neighbors.
The pale mare's aquamarine gaze is steady as she searches the face of her fellow queen for any hint of a reaction which may not make it all the way into her language.
"Does this new Nerine remain a nation female warriors?"
The mare before her stands up a little straighter, raises her head a little higher, directing her gaze boldly to Hestia. Leader to Leader, she finds someone her equal, and as anyone else would do, she nods in acknowledgement. The world is a vicious place, and if you don’t claim your place in it, it will eat you alive. But Hestia is too tired to play the political games, and word bullying usually done to get what she wants. The black hag appreciates the directness, and in return tries to be direct as well.
The sooner they get this figured out the better for all parties involved. She takes in the last of the queen’s words noting the request. Of course, I will inform the others of these conditions, and tell them to make a point of stopping on their way through. Nerine will be available should Hyaline ever need a safe place. War happens, and she’s seen kingdoms destroyed on countless times, having a place open to recover in is always helpful. She thinks of the most recent, Taiga and Pangea, and wonders if they had places to go when their kingdoms were lost.
Hestia has no desire to prey on kingdom’s hope for peace. Quite the opposite, she’d rather support them, as they usually hold the most residents, and residents are a necessity, by making friendly with these kingdoms, she promotes trust, friendships, and a solid source for adding to her own ranks as peaceful kingdoms often have children that grow restless and desire a more… exciting lifestyle than is offered where they are born. Then there are many who come to her and wish for a calmer lifestyle and would find kingdoms such as Hyaline to be perfect for this. By exchanging these horses they keep each other strong and healthy. Preventing tension from rising in their individual kingdoms.
She’s about to inquire about warriors and the such as the woman made peace a point in her words, when she continues askes about Nerines. Hestia almost smiles at this, all she needs to hear to gather the information she needs. We remain warriors, she makes a point of leaving out the female. As they now allow males among their ranks. It’s a point of contention for some as to why they allow males. Hestia wants the equality, and not dominance. But this could change again depending on how other events unrelated to Solace and Hyaline unfold, and the black queen doesn’t want to state something that is not yet set in stone.
She continues, we also have a fighting pen; were other kingdoms are welcome to submit names for mocking/battling/ and stealing for friendly visits or exchanges. Sabra is currently gathering names of her warriors who are interested in participating. You are also welcome to use this. It is a good method for training. It’s also useful for strengthening friendships, and she doesn’t say it, but if the woman wants, Solace could use this to help train her own warriors so they may be able to defend themselves. Sabra had requested that they only be available for battle, Hestia thinks that Solace would be more interested in the theft, and exchange aspect. Everything is flexable after all. There are other things not yet solidified, but she takes it easy, going over one topic at a time.
HESTIA
The devil whispered in my ear, you’ll never survive the storm I whispered back, I am the storm
03-21-2018, 10:15 AM (This post was last modified: 03-21-2018, 10:17 AM by Solace.)
Solace
Solace doesn't enjoy playing games- atleast not with her kingdom. Maybe later she will learn the value of the shrewd dance many leaders wove with their words, but for now, she prefers to make her points known in a straightforward manner. She wasn't looking to manipulate anyone for the upper hand, she simply wanted her kingdom (and it's residents) to remain a step above the darkness and violence so often found in Beqanna. She had nothing to hide.
She feels this meeting is going unexpectedly well. "Thank you, Hestia. Hopefully, we will never have to take you up on that, but it a comfort to have that option."
She wants to believe in the picture this queen present, yet still, Solace cannot completely ignore the tightness in her gut. A nation of warriors was always an unruly beast. She had expected as much, but hearing it confirmed by their leader is much different than suspecting. Hot blooded young would inevitably come along - restless and aching to prove themselves. Raw visionaries would crop up, looking to rule the world, and who sat on their doorstep? Solace had to trust this mare to rule her subjects with a firm and unresting hand.
Solace reminds herself that this could be a good thing - the best thing - for Hyaline. Hestia seemed to Solace like a steady force - level headed and calculating. To have able warriors as a neighbor could be one of the best defenses until Solace could build her own guardian force. Hestia didn't want a madman licking along her seems, looking for a crack her in defenses form the cozy position Hyaline would give him. The Sanctuary would make an ideal neighbor.
"I will let the others know about your fighting pens, it would be good practice for them." She thinks of Khaedrik immediately and makes a mental note to speak with him later. "As for steals, I think it would be beneficial to leave those open yet friendly. As a sign of goodwill, I ask that you limit steals to six months or less and we will do the same. Stealing can help to build bonds between kingdoms, but I do not wish for anyone to be displaced from their home and loved ones for an entire year - on either side."
She nods, one thing out of the way. Just has Solace must trust Hestia, Hestia must trust Solace. Trust her not to go behind the black queen’s back and form an alliance with the purpose of granting access to Nerine. They both have something to lose as Loess and Hyaline are all that stand in the way of Nerine being exposed to the kingdoms who hunger for war.
Hestia listens to the others request, I will inform my people of this. She settles in her stance, tail lashing at her flanks lazily. Hyaline is a pretty place, she can see the appeal. Even if she herself would never be comfortable here. She wonders at how to bring up the next topic. It’s a solid way to bring about trust and a good way of strengthening friendships. It’s something that she has wanted to bring back, as it is the strongest form of an alliance.
We’ve recently begun a new… well it’s an old tradition, long forgotten. We exchange foals, just one each with the purpose of expanding their education. They reside in the other’s kingdom for a period of time, learning by the side of a trusted official, before being sent back to their original homes. Unless they find a desire to stay where they are. It’s referred to as a blood alliance, I myself was one of these children growing up. I can tell you it was the best experience of my life. Expanded my capacity of understanding, and changed any small-mindedness I otherwise may have developed. She stops there, searching the others gaze for any reaction. It brings about a lasting peace. The next generation less likely to attack a kingdom that they spent some of their life in. More likely to keep strong bonds of friendship with said kingdom. It also makes it impossible for either to attack as it would put one of their own at stake. Hestia offers this as an olive branch. A way to begin the building of trust between the two kingdoms.
Hestia wouldn’t blink should the woman refuse this, but at the same time; Hestia would find herself less trusting of Hyaline. It’s hard to trust a kingdom that doesn’t trust you. They must start somewhere. Should Solace need time to think on it Hestia could easily understand. But to say no straight out… Hestia already knows what that means. And she wants a true alliance, this being the best way to form those. The black queen waits patiently for the other to respond. Not pressuring her to just blurt out an emotional response. The future of what is to come between the two kingdoms hinges on this.
Do they become strained a strained alliance, never to fully trust one another, suspicious of what the other plots? Or do they find solid ground, and a very cozy friendship long after these two queens step down from their thrones?
HESTIA
The devil whispered in my ear, you’ll never survive the storm I whispered back, I am the storm
There is one more matter to be settled it seems as the dark queen settles into a more comfortable stance. Solace listens without letting any emotion rach her face - the idea is a new one to her and she takes a moment to think it over. Her gut instinct is to turn her down, the children of Hyaline would be its lifeblood and could not be spared. But luckily, like a good diplomat, she suppresses that emotional reaction to fully absorb the other mare's idea. The benefits of such a trade become more obvious as she listens.
"I like the idea of a Blood Alliance, as you call it." She says, but there is one major complication to be overcome before she can commit to anything. "But there may be one problem - this year there will only be two foals born to Hyaline. I won't force any mother to part with her child, but I will present the idea and it's benefits to both of them. Does Nerine have children in mind for such an exchange?" She hopes that Hestia won't think she is evading the commitment by failing to give her a solid yes. Solace want's a healthy relationship with Nerine desperately, but she can not betray those who call her Queen by telling them what should be done with their children.
"When the time for weaning the foals comes I will send a messenger to you, and hopefully they will be escorting the child. If the mothers do not agree, you can count on an exchange next spring. I would see it as an honor to send my own child to be educated among your warriors."
03-28-2018, 05:58 PM (This post was last modified: 03-28-2018, 05:59 PM by Hestia.)
Hestia listens to the other intently. Watching as the nuances on her face give away some of her thoughts. It’s exactly as Hestia thought it would be, but the other holds back thinking more on the prospect before answering. And the black queen ghosts a smile in response. Relief washing over herself. She really does want things to work out well between the two of them. She has no desire to begin something when so much is already going on in other political realms. Tying themselves to one another gives each a solid ground for the other to stand on.
Hestia nods to the queen. Taking an infant or forcing a parting would be unwise, I agree. We have a few children in mind. One of which is already being exchanged to Tephra. There are a few others that expressed an eagerness to be a part of this type of alliance as well. She doesn’t know of any that will soon be born in Nerine, but the older ones have already expressed some interest when the idea of exchange was spoken of. And she doesn’t know it yet, but there will be another young life in the kingdom that would come available should any of the others refuse.
Hestia reaches to touch the other queen on her shoulder in a final agreement between the two. I will look for you then and hope for the same. She doesn’t know it yet, but her own child will be pledged to Ischia, as the other is already pledged to Tephra. There are others available for the exchange and hopefully they have not changed their minds since expressing their interest. Still Hestia walks away from this meeting satisfied in their agreement, just as she hopes that Solace is just as pleased.
HESTIA
The devil whispered in my ear, you’ll never survive the storm I whispered back, I am the storm
![[Image: 345k45w.jpg]](http://i65.tinypic.com/345k45w.jpg)