they all need something to hold on to; open

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

Immortality does not flood through Magnus’ veins, although time has not affected him the way it should. Almost a century has passed since he was born and yet his body is that of a stallion in his prime. His coat is scarred, weathered, but his muscles are hard and his body lean. There is a shininess to his coat that speaks of health—a brightness in his eyes that speaks of the vigor of youth. He certainly does not look like a stallion who has seen decades pass him by, and in truth, he hasn’t. Instead, much of that time had been spent sinking beneath the saltwater, lifeless body being tossed to and fro by the raging waves.

It was only recently that he had crawled upon the beach and spit the death from his lungs.

With his rebirth had come the renewed purpose of protecting Joelle’s home—the home he wished that he deserved but settled for serving. He was a Gates man because he made the choice to be, but he was not made in its likeness. There was too much bloodlust boiling in his veins; there was too much eagerness to grip the hilt of a sword and then drive it into the chest of his enemies. He was the product of his father and his mother, and he knew it. There was kindness in him, but it was tempered and chased by shadow.

Still, he did his best by the gentle kingdom, and he vowed that he would until breath left him once more. And it was this purpose that drove him day after day to the Field in hopes of meeting more souls who would be interested in making the Gates their home too. It was this purpose that put him in the position to see the twins enter today, his interest piquing as they made their way together. Something about the flintiness of the mare and the softness of the stallion drove him forward, forgetting any inhibitions.

“Hello,” he said in his husky voice, the sound ash and smoke, as he came to a stop near them—giving them enough breathing room to dismiss him should they so choose. For a beat, he was silent, considering them before he continued, “My name is Magnus.” He knew that many recruiters chose the hard drive, choosing to cut straight to the chase, but that simply wasn’t his style. He much preferred to get to know the souls in the Field first—ensuring that they would be as good a fit for the Gates as it was for them.

“So what brings the two of you to the Field on this fine day?”

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.