There is a somber blue-eyed stallion who stands at the edge of the group of gathered horses. The pale pegasus keeps his wings tucked neatly against his sides and watches as the opalescent Queen - the Lady Loess he had yet to formally meet - address those massed together.
Oceane, he reminds himself of the name that Lepis had mentioned. Oceane, Queen of the Southern Empire and now, Loess. She carries weight and wisdom in her words. She gives no elaborate speech; she speaks a simple and straightforward truth that inclines Tarian to nod his head in agreement.
There are no words to describe or undo the damage that scorched Loess.
Today, they would mourn, and tomorrow they would rebuild. Tarian intended, if the Southern lands and her now only ruler would allow, to help. When the meeting adjourns, the gray stallion seeks out the blue-and-purple Oceane. He dips his head in a terse gesture and the greeting he gives the Queen is a low but firm: "My Lady, I am Tarian.” He falters for a moment, well aware that today she - that Loess - was grieving.
"I will not be here tomorrow, so forgive me for speaking of rebuilding today.”
He intended to leave at dawn for the Plains as a contender in the Alliance, the sole representative of his newly-adopted home.
"If… if I might, my abilities are limited. What knowledge I have comes from a few years as a soldier of fortune.” He nearly grimaces at the mention of it but Tarian has no ability or desire to rewrite his past. Those years had been a blur, more of a means to an end. What else does a former heir do when the kingdom he had been raised for vanishes? His was the last generation of an Empire and when it had fallen, what then?
For Tarian, those years had been about avenging. If he could not fight those who had wronged his bloodline - those who had caused Paraiso to veil itself behind a wall of Magic - then he would just fight.
"But if Loess has some need of it, I offer whatever assistance I can provide.” His blue eyes spy the form of another gray stallion nearby and a younger colt. The silver pegasus has no desire to detain Oceane and the expression he wears when he glances back at her says as much. Taking a step back and dipping his head again, he motions to leave. Perhaps they would speak again when he returned.
Before he departs, Tarian looks back at Oceane over a broad, winged shoulder. "You have my deepest sympathies over the loss of Queen Lepis," he finally says and then vanishes into the crowd of the few who horses who still remain.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength
which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are.