good morning starshine; Esileif

[Fennick]

Fennick felt his home settle around him like a cloak. Here, and perhaps only here, in rare snatches and glimpses, did he feel comfortable and settled. He knew he was not like most kings, and he knew equally well that many would hold him in contempt for it. It was a truth he had not yet accepted, but that he would soon enough. He accepted things slowly, and each new piece felt like a burden to a mind that longed for calmness and simplicity. They all fell into place eventually, when the young man realized he was in a sink of swim situation. He was starting to believe life was a long series of sink or swim moments. Good thing he knew how to dog paddle.

But still, there was a unique joy in showing Esileif around. He could show her his home, his kingdom. True, the Valley had always been his, and at the same time never would be. He was not built here, he was not sculpted from the trees and rocks. If the Valley belonged to anyone, it would be to Gallows, to Eight, and to those who had lived here for much longer than Fennick’s working memory. But still, the little part of him that was prideful was glad to be able to show Esileif around, and to feel ownership of something that was much, much greater and grander than himself.

Then of course, there was his tattoo. It was yet another of the millions of things he and Gallows needed to discuss. He had gotten his under Demian’s rule. It was a way to mark those loyal to the Valley. Fennick had taken his oath easily and with no hesitation. Wether he and Gallows would ask others to do the same was another question. He smiled softly, and dropped his head for Esileif to inspect. His sheepish smile quickly reappeared and tugged at the corners of his lips. His dark obsidian eyes stayed soft, but managed to look everywhere but her face. When she was done he rolled his shoulders in a shrug.

“It does. It would turn dark if I were to leave. That being said, I was bound for life long before Demian pulled out the branding iron. Such is the way of this place.” Just ask Gallows, she would have a lot to say on the virtues of the Valley. None of it would be objective. He wanted to tell Esileif whether or not she would need to take an oath of her own, but, he could not yet say. He put it on the list to discuss with Gallows. That list was growing longer by the minute. He hastily shoved the thought aside, before the panic at the task before him could be seen on his face.

She asked her next question, and it was no less difficult. He gave her a wry smile.

“You don’t like easy questions, do you? Shoot straight from the hip? I think you and Gallows would like each other.” He was teasing her, but he was also serious. His smile turned pensive as he gave the question the attention it deserved. He was tempted to say that the Valley would make a good home for anybody, but that would be a lie, and he wanted to tell her something real, something that meant something to him. After a moment he spoke, slowly at first, for he was trying to choose the right words.

“There’s a lot of work to be done here. There is a lot of ambition here, and we need to find a direction for it. There is room for someone with ambition to succeed. We’re a powerful kingdom, and we have a powerful ally. I’m not worried about defense, so we’re in the enviable position of creating a good offense. You could help shape the direction that takes.” Again, the big stallion shrugged, and he wondered briefly if he he sounded like a total nutter. That was absolutely possible. But, somehow, that didn’t worry him so much right now. The moment felt right and good, and Fennick knew better than to question that.

“Or, you know, if that’s not your thing we have a lot of nice grass and particularly fine trees. You could admire a new tree each and every day of your life and still have more to choose from.” Fennick would admit that didn’t sound particularity appealing to him. He had, of course, admired his fair share of the Valley trees, he just found other ways to occupy his time. But, he wanted to make sure Esileif knew all her options. The big stallion grinned boyishly.