Just as my brother delights in me, so I am overjoyed to see him. I have always thought it would be nice to have a little sibling but I never questioned mother about it. She does everything in her own time, and so I kept quietly hopeful. But I was probably the most excited filly in the world when I found out she was expecting. It is perhaps odd that I rarely give much thought to the father, either of our fathers, but in the Jungle that doesn't matter. I can't imagine any stallion matching up to our mother, anyways.
I laugh, teasing. “I believe you. I've seen you in full battle armor and I wouldn't like to be against you.” I smile a little sadly. “I guess I'm not, mama, although I still feel like a little girl when I think about all the things I don't know. But I hope the Jungle finds me worthy enough.”
I turn my attention to my brother, then, my eyes lighting up eagerly.
“Vidar!” I nicker, all semblance at decorum lost. I prance around him like I am the yearling he is, nipping playfully at his mane. “Of course you can call me Sette, you goose. Anguisette seems like a bit of a mouthful for such a little squirt.” I grin to let him know I am teasing and then nuzzle him affectionately. “We have lots of time to make up for, little man.”
His question about the Valley brings me back to seriousness and I glance at mother.
“It was different with the wide open sky and wolf howls at night and that was frightening at times, but there's no merit to being brave if you have no fears, little man. And I believe you would defend me. Anyways, Fennick was kind and I never thought he or the others would hurt me.” I nudge him, half-inviting him to play before I turn to mother seriously, my shoulders straightening. I am her daughter but I am also her subject, and I have a duty to this kingdom. I am grateful to all the gods that my duty and my love are the same. “We can beat them, I think, but it isn't going to be easily won. I don't think I learned anything you don't already know. Straia and Gallows meet; I have the feeling they were pressing for an offensive but I have no concrete evidence. Aside from the Chamber's actions against the Gates, of course. Well, and Gallows turning the diplomat caste into an intelligence caste. I don't think those are exactly the actions of a peaceful nation. As well, the fire wall in the Valley is coming down.” I pause from my speech, a little embarrassed that I rambled on but not sure what could be useful. I flash mother an apologetic look. After a brief moment I meet her gaze with a determined look. “You will let me fight, won't you, Khaleesi?”
I want to do my part. A bit of me feels ashamed that I am eager to go to war. But most of me aches for the day when I can prove myself and the Jungle can show Beqanna that the warrior women are still a force to be reckoned with. That, of course, won't happen with my help if mother doesn't permit me. I try my best to look capable. We already had a slight disagreement about my visiting the Chamber and I ready myself to argue my case.
Anguisette
the changeling jungle princess
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