good at goodbyes
It felt good to leave Ischia, even despite the danger to their mission. Upon it’s inception and assignment, the journey to Sylva had almost felt like an insult. A waste of her talents. Mosrael was better suited for war, not idle chatter. The deeper they traveled, however, her father’s reasonings for sending her along became clear.
Whispers filled the autumnal forest and a looming uncertainty wrapped around them from the moment they stepped within it’s fold. The passing of the crown seemed to shock even the oldest of the trees. Beside her, Jesper is tense. He is one of her many nephews, she knows – though, by whom she is unsure. They had competed together in the games held by Nike, only, then, she hadn’t realized their familial ties.
Despite his youth, the black and bronze stallion pressed confidently forward as he slinked through the tangle of trees as stealthy as a fox. His bronze tipped ears were on alert as they moved, Mosrael bringing up the rear in case of a potential ambush. She was unsure of the black colts abilities when it came to combat, but she was prepared to defend him regardless.
A quiet soon settled over them and Mosrael’s footfalls faltered, her ears trained to the surrounding ambiance. There was a shifting in the trees not caused by a breath of wind.
“Jesper,” She hissed in his direction as her eyes continued to scan their surroundings. “We are not alone in these woods.”
Almost as quickly as her words had left the velvet of her lips, did the sight of a small perlino and navy filly gain her attention. She saw them too and wasted very little time on breaking through the golden foliage to greet them. Mosrael recognized her immediately as Lepis, the dethroned princess of Loess. It was hard to pity the child in her foolishness, even though it was painfully clear that her existence there was one meant for strategical benefit only.
She was a hostage. A bargaining tool. Mosrael harbored no sentiment towards the foolish child.
Lepis’ cheerful greeting, despite Mosrael’s dark thoughts towards her, catches her attention. Still standing to Jesper’s rear, she allows him to take the lead – keeping her silence steady.
@[Jesper] and @[Lepis] Sorry, she isn't exactly the fluffiest feather in the bunch...