A ghost horse

[magnus]

we carry these things inside that no one else can see
they hold us down like anchors; they drown us out at sea

“Couldn’t we all?” he laughed, ignoring the twinge of pain in his belly. If only he was able to find a way to truly have a second chance in life; what he wouldn’t give to redo and fix some of his mistakes. He would find a way to ease the hurt that he had caused others. He would have been a better King, a better kingdom member, a better mate for Joelle. He wouldn’t have caused so much agony to those who managed to get close to him. There are so many ways that he would have found a better way.

“Well, a welcome is in order then!” he said with enthusiasm—thrilled to have new blood in the field. The land grew stale without the rush of new faces and the infusion of outside bloodlines. It kept Beqanna balance to have both new and old faces. “Kingdoms are similar to herds in that they are groups that operate much like family—but they are different in that they are a monarchy. Usually, a kingdom will be led by a king and/or a queen with a royal court beneath them of lords and ladies and generals.”

He paused for a moment, giving the other stallion a chance to digest the information.

“For some, a kingdom can be simply a home—a place to rest their head and raise their family. For others, it is a chance to join one of our cases (warrior or diplomat) and then climb up the ranks.” His roguish smile curled into one corner, creating a lopsided affect. “There is a chance to learn the ropes, protect the kingdom, dabble in politics, etc.—if that strikes your fancy.” He had always drifted toward the solider side of things and believed himself to be a terrible hand at diplomacy, but he was getting better.

Practice makes perfect and all of that.

magnus