warriors do not show their heart
until the axe reveals it
Would that the gray mare were a ghost, or that these last few years had been a dream. Even now, she wonders if this isn’t some warped continuation of the nightmare - lessened, but not truly gone. Her Jungle is gone and the land itself chastises its children. The former Queen is unable to rule at the moment (wanting nothing more than to lay down in wherever their new home is to be), but she wonders if she was part of the problem. A rung in the ladder of sins, most definitely. But she cannot believe that her dedication to defending the world from Straia and Demian, and then to aiding her friends in keeping their home was truly the root of the problem.
With nothing else to do while the rest of the Sister trek up the Mountain, she ruminates on it as a cow might chew its cud; masticating and dissecting it until a sharp demand slices through her self-doubt. It yanks her out of her fog, and in the next moment, she is disgusted at herself for wallowing in negative emotions. Or rather, she is disgusting at allowing herself to be caught wallowing.
By Riva, no less.
The old battle-axe grins, despite bay and white woman’s sharp tone and turns to face her. “Oh hello, Riva. Traffic jam on the scenic route. Couldn’t be helped.” Which is so far from the truth, but the truth is not for right now. Right now is for reunions. Right now is for finding a new home. Lagertha steps towards her sister and nudges the mare’s shoulder affectionately. She might tell the woman what happened in due time, but it would take some prodding. And then she eyes the erstwhile mare with mock suspicion, knowing full well that her own disappearance gives her no right to ask questions of Riva’s absence. “Were you purposefully avoiding the Sisters? Couldn’t have missed them, a group of loud and hard-headed women stalking towards the Mountain.”
The whole story of the meeting is sure to come out, and Lagertha is curious what Riva will think of their new Queen. But never does the thought cross her mind that Riva might not come home with her. Wherever home may be.
Lagertha
@[Kristin]