[open] War does not determine who is right, only who is left. (Any)

[magnus]

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

It had been a fairly uneventful morning so far.

He had risen early, sleep eluding him except for a few hours when night had begun to bleed into the day. He did not mind it though; he had struggled to sleep well. He spent most of the night wandering around the kingdom, checking on those who slumbered and then walking the border. The Gates was a peaceful, quiet kingdom and most nights passed without event, but that did not stop him from wandering—waiting for the time when that peace would be shattered. Hungering for it, if he was honest with himself, although he did not choose to be often. He preferred to ignore that side of him; he preferred to pretend it not exist.

Still, today, he had risen even earlier than usual, the fog not quite lifting from the valley of the kingdom, the Gates beautiful when washed in the watery morning light. Magnus had not wasted time in shaking the sleep from his limbs and then setting off toward the field—putting himself to work once more. He may not have many good traits to bring to the kingdom, but he could bring sheer work ethic. He would work himself to the bone if it meant that life could be poured once more into the kingdom.

The morning, however, took a jerky turn as soon as the mare had crashed into him. He had jolted forward, surprised, ears pinning. After several strides, he had swiveled to look back at what had crashed into him and his chest constricted at the sight of the mare. He had returned as quickly as he had bolted away, reaching down to nose at her gently. “Hello?” his voice was low, urgent. “Are you okay?” She had remained stubbornly unresponsive. Eyes closed, body limp. After minutes of trying, he finally went silent, his mouth pressing together until his lips thinned, gold-flecked eyes darkening with concern.

Thankfully, she had not remained that way for too long.

Eventually, she had opened her eyes, and he felt his breath loosen—coming out in one giant whoosh. “Oh, thank goodness.” He dropped his nose down further. “Are you okay? That was quite a spill.”

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.