A stillness followed his request. A plea, really. A deep desire he refused to let go of until fully realized. The formidable man continued chewing nonchalantly, his hair overshadowing his eyes like a hood of mystery, of power. Dovev couldn't see his eyes, but he could feel them on him, burning into his skin and observing him in silence.
The colt sensed he was taking his measure in some way, weighing him on some unseen scale in his mind. That invisible gaze prickled at his coat. He couldn't help but try to stand a little taller, look a little larger, but he was already at his full height and all the effort really accomplished was stiffen his neck. He held still, waiting. Hoping.
A gentle sweep of air grew to a gust, throwing the man's hood back from his face and revealing the magician beneath. The boy froze in place and held his breath. Something seemed to pass through them as they stared at each other. And then the man began walking away. His heart plummeted, but he forced himself to watch his future leave him.
With a flash, a bolt struck Dovev's rump. He yelped in surprise and danced sideways a little, twisting around to inspect the damage. He could smell seared flesh as it left a mark of what looked to be a tree, glaring out from his dark coat in an angry scar. Such physical pain was new to him, but not entirely unwelcome. He knew he would need to learn to suffer much more of it before their time was done. His skin singed and burned as he worked to teach himself to ignore it.
Then the command came to him. His ears tipped forward, intrigued yet cautious, and he began to follow...stopped. Had he given his name? He dismissed it.
He was branded. He belonged to the magician now. For now. Black eyes grew distant as he gazed off to the side, wondering how long he would have to be away from her. And if she'd still be there when he returned. Would she understand he'd done it for her? Or would she hate him for leaving her like the rest of them. It was a risk he had to take. He'd make it up to her one day if he could.
He resumed his obedient shadowing, pacing forward to the other's hip then matching his gait. Consumed by thoughts, he said nothing. The future, the past. Cerva.
This was all for her.
Whatever it takes.
The colt sensed he was taking his measure in some way, weighing him on some unseen scale in his mind. That invisible gaze prickled at his coat. He couldn't help but try to stand a little taller, look a little larger, but he was already at his full height and all the effort really accomplished was stiffen his neck. He held still, waiting. Hoping.
A gentle sweep of air grew to a gust, throwing the man's hood back from his face and revealing the magician beneath. The boy froze in place and held his breath. Something seemed to pass through them as they stared at each other. And then the man began walking away. His heart plummeted, but he forced himself to watch his future leave him.
With a flash, a bolt struck Dovev's rump. He yelped in surprise and danced sideways a little, twisting around to inspect the damage. He could smell seared flesh as it left a mark of what looked to be a tree, glaring out from his dark coat in an angry scar. Such physical pain was new to him, but not entirely unwelcome. He knew he would need to learn to suffer much more of it before their time was done. His skin singed and burned as he worked to teach himself to ignore it.
Then the command came to him. His ears tipped forward, intrigued yet cautious, and he began to follow...stopped. Had he given his name? He dismissed it.
He was branded. He belonged to the magician now. For now. Black eyes grew distant as he gazed off to the side, wondering how long he would have to be away from her. And if she'd still be there when he returned. Would she understand he'd done it for her? Or would she hate him for leaving her like the rest of them. It was a risk he had to take. He'd make it up to her one day if he could.
He resumed his obedient shadowing, pacing forward to the other's hip then matching his gait. Consumed by thoughts, he said nothing. The future, the past. Cerva.
This was all for her.
Whatever it takes.
