| A N A X A R E T E.
“Hello Starsin. I can’t say I expected to see you here,” she offered, as the shadowmare politely dipped her head in greeting, having sensed the other mare’s presence in Pangea. It was a curious thing that she had come. Last time it had been an outsider, negotiating on Loess’ behalf - and not all too convincingly, if she was being honest. So the shadowmare was interested to see what this visit would bring.
“Tell me, are you here negotiating on Castile’s behalf, or are you here of your own accord?” she asked, though she knew well what the woman’s answer would be, especially considering the current status of Loess’ king. It was refreshing, however, to be visited by someone who at least seemed grounded in reality. Loess was vulnerable. Anaxarete knew this. So did Starsin. And it certainly appeared to the shadowmare that Starsin was more interested in being proactive than some of the others who called Loess home. The shadowmare is more than willing to listen to the offer, one she had perhaps expected to have received before now. No matter.
“Oh, but Ripley is having so much fun in Loess,” she says, with a dry air of amusement. She’d half expected Ripley to be sent back as soon as she spilled Loessian blood. However it seemed like the dragon-king was a glutton for punishment. “However, I think we could come to an arrangement. My Ripley for your son.” Malone. It was undoubtedly why Starsin had come.
Anaxarete didn’t like the idea that her magic was spread thin by keeping a layer of protection around Ripley who was still in Loess, and she was burning through her own energy keeping tabs on their western neighbors. While she had absolutely no reservations about letting Ripley continue her ‘captivity’ in Loess and leaving a trail of destruction in her path, she would feel more at ease having her here. And having the full extent of her magic available to her should something appear on the horizon.
And, of course, there was the fact that she was far happier to negotiate with Starsin than Castile, at this point. Anaxarete had met the dragon-king in person only once - a strange conversation filled with posturing and assumptions. Then he takes it upon himself to steal what is not his to control. It left a sour taste in her mouth, to say the very least.
“You know, it really is a pity that Loess doesn’t have a leader like you,” the shadowmare quipped, offhandedly. And it was true - especially given the circumstances. Needless to say, she was curious to see Starsin’s reaction. Curious to see if it was something that Starsin had considered, given the current situation back at home.
queen of the shadows. |
