09-06-2025, 08:34 AM
It took a very long time before he could even think about her…let alone try to face her. His first tormentor, his beloved horrible mother. He only knew true affection from his sister, though he wondered if their childhood bond was only so strong due to the trauma they shared. He resented Shadowmere for a long time after she herself abandoned them, all he could remember was her babbling about their elder sister and her slipping into the night, never to be seen again. Once old enough, he had set out on his own. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had seen Falljoy either. His past was a blur for one so young, just coming into his 7th year. He had grown into a fine stallion, lean and fit, and his horns no longer stubby bumps above his brow. There were times he saw himself in his reflection in ponds and streams that he could see his resemblance to his mother that had him cringe, but it was only recently that he recalled some of her babbling. Realizing there was a reason for her ways, and that she was only a misguided and tormented product of tragedy.
It took days to track her as an equine, but only a few hours after bending his form into that of a hound. His droopy face glued to the ground, sniffing any trace of Shadowmere's scent left behind. He had a feeling he knew where she was headed, remembering her stories of the old pine forests of the prior Chamber as the trees changed from winter bare oaks and maples to dark and lush pines. He tracked her lingering scent, that of blood and elderberry, through the pines and stopped at the edge of a clearing, his deep brown eyes scanning the moorland slopes beyond. His heartbeat skipped when he saw her unmistakable angular form silhouetted against the pink glow of sunrise. His bones strained as he shifted back into his true form, and drew himself up. He knew he needed to approach with confidence, after having her berate him over being weak throughout his childhood. He was no meek child anymore, and he was finally ready to face her.
He paced forward through the snow with his head held high, and let out a low whinny that carried through the air in a coiling wisp of steam. He knew she would know his call, and he didn't move closer to her. He was standing square, his body braced in case she bore down upon him like the hellbeasts that tore apart her family as a filly. It felt like he was trying to approach a wild cat, one sudden movement could spell death. If she would allow him to speak, he would find it in his heart to forgive her for all she had done, all she had put him and his siblings through, but he would not allow her to strike him down in cold blood either. He was not sure of her mental state after all these years, knowing how twisted she had been when he was young. The moments seemed to drag on and the young bay stallion wasn't sure what to expect from this encounter, but he hoped it to be civil. .
It took days to track her as an equine, but only a few hours after bending his form into that of a hound. His droopy face glued to the ground, sniffing any trace of Shadowmere's scent left behind. He had a feeling he knew where she was headed, remembering her stories of the old pine forests of the prior Chamber as the trees changed from winter bare oaks and maples to dark and lush pines. He tracked her lingering scent, that of blood and elderberry, through the pines and stopped at the edge of a clearing, his deep brown eyes scanning the moorland slopes beyond. His heartbeat skipped when he saw her unmistakable angular form silhouetted against the pink glow of sunrise. His bones strained as he shifted back into his true form, and drew himself up. He knew he needed to approach with confidence, after having her berate him over being weak throughout his childhood. He was no meek child anymore, and he was finally ready to face her.
He paced forward through the snow with his head held high, and let out a low whinny that carried through the air in a coiling wisp of steam. He knew she would know his call, and he didn't move closer to her. He was standing square, his body braced in case she bore down upon him like the hellbeasts that tore apart her family as a filly. It felt like he was trying to approach a wild cat, one sudden movement could spell death. If she would allow him to speak, he would find it in his heart to forgive her for all she had done, all she had put him and his siblings through, but he would not allow her to strike him down in cold blood either. He was not sure of her mental state after all these years, knowing how twisted she had been when he was young. The moments seemed to drag on and the young bay stallion wasn't sure what to expect from this encounter, but he hoped it to be civil. .
HAVELOCK
shapeshifting child of Mikael & Shadowmere