"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
Magnus had been glad the Esileif had chosen to visit both the kingdoms before making a decision. It was, in his mind, a pragmatic decision. It was the choice that he would have made in the same position. When you were choosing where you were going to live for the rest of your life, it was a choice that should be treated with at least a little gravity—and it warranted spending some time to see it in person. So they had said their goodbyes, and he had watched her walk away to the Valley, hoping in his gut she wouldn’t choose it. While the stallion liked Fennick just fine, there was no love lost between him and the Valley.
When it had been time, he had made the journey and waited outside the fire wall (what kingdom had so much to hide that they burned any who entered?) for her patiently, greeting her with a gentle smile. “Hello there!” he said with a shadow of a smile. “I hope your visit went well.” Taking a step back, he motioned toward the direction of Heaven. “Are you ready for the next leg of your journey?”
Unfortunately, the trip between the Gates and the Valley was one of the longest between the kingdoms, but Magnus did his best to fill the time with idle chatter. He paused whenever she was tired, letting her rest or find food and water. It made the trip somewhat longer, but he didn’t mind. He would much rather that she enjoyed it than driving them at the grueling pace he would keep if he was on his own.
Finally, the pair of them made it to the border of his home. “Here’s Heaven.” He laughed quietly, “There is, unfortunately, no wall of fire to greet you.” The last time fire had come to the kingdom, they had not fared well. Without pausing, he escorted her into the kingdom where the first day of spring was upon them. The ice of winter was beginning to thaw and green was beginning to emerge gently from beneath the frost. This spring may not be their greenest ever as they continued to heal from the Chamber’s attack, but it would still be beautiful. Spring was always beautiful here. “Is there anything in particular that you would like to see or know?” One corner of his lip rises. “If not, I can continue to ramble on.”
[ooc] @[Esileif], hope you don't mind me posting this before the thread with fennick is done! we can put this on pause until then if you'd like.
11-02-2015, 04:48 AM (This post was last modified: 11-02-2015, 04:51 AM by Esileif.)
Once again she speeds through the wall of fire, still not really comfortable by the idea of passing through fire. And this time Fennick wouldn’t pass through it before her as they had bid their goodbyes at the other side already. Esileif snorted loudly to show her distress about the whole ordeal and as she trots a few steps away from the wall she turns her two toned body around, to face the wall instead of showing it her back. ”Hello Magnus” she greets him back, only slightly dipping her head in the direction of the buckskin male. Curiously her eyes wander over his figure, taking in the pair of wings that now sprout from his back. ”You got yourself a fancy gift I see, but it disappoints me that you left me as the only grounded one.” Her voice was teasingly and soft as a smile adorns her lips.
The opposite is true. All though she honestly doesn’t like the fact that all three males that she had met in the Field – Magnus, Fennick and Gryffen – have their own pair of wings while she is traitless. Back in the days, when she had still lived with her parents in the Mourning Mountains, she had always been jealous of her half-brothers and -sisters who did have their own little gift. Sure, Esileif’s own coat was stunning and special, but in her opinion it didn’t quite match up with their gifts. And she is eager for more. No, she needs more, wants more. It would make her better, or at least, that is how the young girl thinks of it.
Esileif follows Magnus’ lead after one last call, a loud whinny, to Fennick, to say him goodbye for now. He had been a pleasant companion and now it was Magnus’ time to fulfil that role, temporary that is. During her trip – first from the field to the Valley and now from the Valley towards the Gates – she has seen and sees more than she had ever seen of the Beqannian lands. The trip is long and Esileif is honestly grateful for his consideration, taking things easy.
She shortly snorts, lifting her head to meet the buckskin’s gaze. ”I can see why such a wall can be desired, but for now I’m glad I don’t have to pass through it again.” Oh she was sure that it would only take a little time to get used to it, but it is a relieve to find that the Gates doesn’t have such an obstacle. Esileif’s eyes eagerly wander across the lands, ears pointing forward and necks lightly curved. In her enthusiasm she trots forward, passing by the winged buckskin male as she whinnies softly. ”It’s beautiful” she murmurs once she has come to a halt. It is only then that she turns back to Magnus and her head tilts a little to the side. ”Please just ramble on, you know the Gates the best out of the two of us.” She does really want to know more, but she doesn’t even know what to ask for. Not that she would tell him that, instead she covers herself by easily accepting his own proposal.
OOC: No absolutely not! I rather have it this way, otherwise things will take toooooo long ^^
The wings were still, by and large, unusual for him. He had never been one to yearn for traits; he had been completely content without anything special added to supplement his natural strength. Perhaps that is why he had internally paused when Mast had extended the gift to him—hesitating on the brink of refusal—before he had decided it was for the best of the kingdom that they were better armed. If he could fight off more mythicals in a fight, then he could get over his own hesitations about being adorned with wings.
And they were not ugly to look at, although Magnus was not prone to vanity. They were clearly made for a bird of prey: large, golden, powerful. Perhaps the closest comparison would be the wings of the golden eagle, which he assumed was fitting for his coloring. For now, they remained tucked to his side, the buckskin still getting used to the extra appendages. His smile was crooked as he laughed lightly at her joke, and he shook his head. “If it eases the pain, I am horribly uncoordinated with them.” His voice is husky, and he stretches one wing out to the side, “I am much more graceful on the ground for now.”
As they make their way to the Gates, stopping and traveling at their leisure, he watches her. At one point, he looks her way, “You know, all of the kingdoms give out gifts such as these wings to their members.” He motions toward the golden wings tucked at his sides. “Whichever kingdom you join, should you choose any of them, will most likely gift you in one way or another should you be loyal and climb the ranks.” He does not limit that to the Gates, because he knows that would be dishonest. Even if she chose to join the Valley, she would be given the same gifts if she climbed their ranks.
He is pleased when they arrive at the Gates to see her enjoying the lush landscape. He knows that he had always appreciated the beauty of it—soft and glowing, warm and inviting. There was few kingdoms that could rival the innate beauty of the Gates. “It is rather stunning, isn’t it?” he says under his breath as he makes his way up to her side, looking out toward the rest of the kingdom as it unfolded before them. At her acceptance of his proposal, he just nods his head and motions toward the side, leading her down the knoll to the rest of the kingdom. As they walked, he began to talk. “Currently, our king is named Mast. If you meet him, you will find that he is a fair, just ruler. Invested in the good will of his people.”
Magnus’ eyes twinkle, “And he has the unique gift of being able to shift into a deer at will, which does come in handy.” The buckskin stallion enjoyed the younger King—thought well of him. He had seen all kinds ascend the throne in his time, and he was grateful to know that the Gates was led by someone that he could respect. “Our Queen, Fiasko, has recently abdicated the throne as per her agreement with the Chamber. She agreed to stay there if they agreed to not attack us.” His mouth tightened on the sentence, and his stomach soured, but he continued. “Although, between us, I don’t believe the Chamber is counting on how strong we are getting—how strong we will get in the future.” He knew in his belly that the Gates would rise again like an avenging angel. And what a majestic day that would be to witness.
His words are like a slap in her face. It scares her how easily the golden stallion was able to read her and that while she thought she knew how to keep her thoughts to herself. But then Esileif realises that he didn’t read her thoughts like she was an open book, no, instead he just replied to her own teasing words. In an attempt to mask the war that had happened in her head for mere seconds she pulls up her lips to grin at him again. ”I bet you will be used to them in no-time, all though it would be fun to see you struggle.” Her words would sound hard if someone would jump in on their conversation, but the teasing air still lingers slightly around them.
The thing he tells her are new to her, never before she had heard of kingdoms extending such gifts. But then again, who knew how long she has been stuck in time? It does explain why she has come across so many winged horses, now all the three males that she had met in the field supported their own set of wings, all though there was still a possibility that they had been gifted with them upon their birth. The bay and orangey white girl just nods her head into Magnus’ direction, a silent thank you for his explanation, but with the intention to let the subject rest for now.
Where she had visited the Valley in the winter, she was now lucky enough to see the Gates during the spring. It was impossible to compare both the kingdoms, as they were too different from each other – all though there of course would be similarities too. It does not change the fact that Esileif is thrilled to see the Gates’ beauty. She had never known that lands could be this beautiful, the mountain herd she grew up in herself was far from it, and she had never had the chance to explore other lands.
She listens to him intently as he guides her through the kingdom. It is only sometimes that Esileif turns her head to look at him, but most of the time she pleases her eyes by looking at every new aspect of the kingdom. Magnus’ words about his king make her think of her father for a moment, but it is only brief as they seem too far apart. ”You think high of him, don’t you?” she cannot help but to ask as he pauses for a second. Her head is turned sideward, so her two toned eyes could meet his.
Esileif had to admit it sounded like Mast was a fair and nice monarch, but she cannot say that about the Gates’ former queen. How could a queen, a ruler, someone with high power, let herself be a part of a bargain? That didn’t seem right, nor logical, and in the young Spanish girl’s opinion it was never right to let yourself be treated like that.
Her ears perk up again as the golden stallion continues. She does know the Chamber, but only by name. Magnus speaks of the future and between the spoken lines she can hear the unspoken ones. Revenge. And all though the cause of anger doesn’t affect her at all – why would she care about some former queen she didn’t even know? – his words sound promising. How great would it be if she could be part of a kingdom that would be able to take back, and maybe even more, what was stolen from them?
It sparks a thrill in her and forces a shiver to run down her spine, as she prances alongside him in a sudden burst of energy. She tosses her black and white mane up in the air, before suddenly coming to a halt. Esileif gaze meets Magnus’ for a few seconds, before she let her eyes drift across the lands.
On her lips burns the same question she had asked Fennick. She does not look at him as she speaks softly.
”Please tell me, Magnus, do you think that the Gates would be a good - fitting - home for me?”
you and I both know that the house is haunted and you and I both know that the ghost is me
He laughs at her teasing, unruffled by the sternness of her words. “The struggle is amusing, I promise.” He was not above poking fun at himself; Magnus certainly did not take himself to seriously. He knew what a sight he was when he had first earned the eagle wings. While they were powerful, they were also completely foreign appendages to a stallion who had mastered control over his own body decades ago. He was not graceful at flight, and he had even struggled to run with his balance thrown off. So he had fought against it, practicing both for hours until it came naturally to him once more. He was not completely in control of the wings in fight, but he no longer struggled to get to his destination. It was getting easier.
But, he too, is fine letting the subject rest.
As they move through the kingdom, he glances toward her every so often, but for the most part watches the kingdom around them. It was truly beautiful. When she asks him about Mast, he sobers for a second, catching her gaze. “I do.” He had not known the stallion long, and in truth did not know him intimately, but that did not stop him from respecting the Gates’ King. “I have seen what happens to a kingdom when someone unworthy ascends the throne. It’s not pretty.” Briefly, he thinks of Everclear—the Valley stallion who had become Gates King after only a visit. It still left a bitter taste in his mouth to consider it.
“Mast is worthy though. I am honored to serve him.”
He does not miss the electricity that runs through her when he talks about the Chamber and the Gates, and it sparks something within his own belly. Perhaps she too understand the thrill of battle. Perhaps she too could understand the less-than-Light tendencies racing through his veins. “There are a lot of reasons that I think you would fit, Esileif,” he says softly, “and many of them are selfish. I think the Gates could benefit from having someone spirited and smart like you on their side. I think any kingdom would.”
There is only a brief pause before he continues, “But I also think you could find purpose here. I think there is a chance for you to be on the right side of history, fighting alongside good people. I think you could hone your skills here and rise in the ranks—be rewarded for what you contribute.” Magnus shakes his handsome head, giving a crooked smile, “But, really, it comes down to what you want and what you think.”
In his heart, he thinks she wants the Gates, knows the Gates wants her, but he doesn’t speak it aloud.
There is a wry smile on her lips as she gazes at his wings once more. She believes Magnus as he admits that he still struggles with them, but that doesn’t stop her from longing to such trait herself too. For a short moment she pictures herself with a pair of wings of her own and her father’s power in her hands – she can see herself with elegantly stretched wings as her ice manipulation forces the snow upon them. But that is all a fantasy, as Esileif is not gifted with either of them.
Their gazes meet as he replies and the young girl eagerly listens to what he can tell her about the Gates’ King. Surprisingly she notices how much she values Magnus’ words about the king, unfamiliar with the fact that she finds his opinion important. Never before has she cared for opinion’s other than hers – except if it would be their opinion about herself – saving Balgarath’s that was. After all, she had always been a daddy’s girl. But it isn’t only that. Magnus seems to really mean it when he says he’s honoured to serve Mast, and therefor Esi cannot help but to wonder how great of a leader this Mast must be if someone like Magnus thinks this highly of him.
”You’ve set his standard high, Magnus. I’ll look forward to meeting him, if that what you say is true.” But she would have to see this for herself of course. Or at least, that is what she tells herself while she already knows that isn’t entirely true.
He has her full attention now. Slowly Esileif starts to look at him from a different view, her image of him changing as he continues to speak. It feels like the little spark is growing as he feeds it with his words. ”Selfish..” she softly repeat, more speaking to herself than out loud to him. Was she selfish? Yes, she had to be in order to survive. And yes, she wants to be, in order to become better. But was that something bad per say? Esileif doesn’t think so and the thought Magnus might feel like that too makes her feel content.
His words flatter her and spark her even more. She can already see her opportunities grow, and she hasn’t even met anyone else yet. But Magnus’ words lure her and spark her fantasies. Oh, how bad she longs for those fantasies to become reality. Yet there is one thing that holds her back. ”But what.. what if I would want more than what the Gates can give me?” Esileif only meets his gaze for a short second, before looking away. It was the first time that she let him peek inside the book, admitting that she wanted to gain something out of it all, and that she honestly worried about that.
ESILEIF
Belgarath x Alasia
OOC: Sorry for the rushed feeling. Took me longer to write than I had originally thought and I really have to go now..
you and I both know that the house is haunted and you and I both know that the ghost is me
Magnus knew all too well how strong ambition could be in a soul. He had been born into perhaps the most ambitious duo at the time, and he had been groomed by it. From the moment of his birth, he had been taught the beauty of ambition. Perhaps that is why he had risen up the ranks in three different kingdoms. He was not particularly power hungry and titles had not meant a whole lot to him, but he had also learned that positions within the kingdoms was one of the best, and easiest, ways to protect the people that he had loved. His ambition had always managed to serve a grander purpose for him.
So when she reveals her next question, he understands, and he smiles at her. “I would be surprised if there was something that the Gates could not give you,” he trails off here. He knows what most people think about the once-Light kingdom; he knew that many viewed it as a spineless kingdom that was more interested in peace than strength, but that just wasn’t what he had found here. They were not pacifists.
“That being said, if you were to want something more, I’d be happy to help support in getting it.”
He is honest here, genuine, “Just because you choose to live at the Gates now does not mean that you are bound to it forever. We do not ask that you sign a blood oath.” Unlike other kingdoms, he thinks briefly, but he doesn’t mention that; it wasn’t Magnus style to recruit by bad-mouthing the other places to live. “You could always decide down the line that you would like to live somewhere else, but I truly believe that you would be surprised by how fulfilling you would find life in the Gates to be.”
Was it ambition that drove her? Perhaps, but her jealousy was probably the thing that sparked more in her. Yet she couldn’t deny that ambition sounded better than jealousy, ambition could be justified, jealousy not really. And then she didn’t even mention the fact that her insecurity had another big part in her longing to become more. She needed to prove the world (and mostly herself) that she was worth it, and in her naïve thoughts she could do that through obtaining traits and status.
Esileif fall still as she turns to look at him, eyes narrowing slightly. She wonders how he could say that this easily and keeps silent as her gaze rests on him. Did he know what she wanted, did he understood where she longed for so badly? The two tone mare wasn’t sure about that, yet she wouldn’t spill that right here and now. ”I hope you’ll remember that, Magnus, because I sure will do” she replies to him with a soft smile on her lips. Her words might have been light and warm, she meant them through and through. A winged warrior at your side could always be helpful if something needed to be done.
”Is that true? Joining the ranks of the Heaven’s Gates doesn’t come with a hidden catch?” she asks bluntly. Her two toned eyes don’t move away from him and one of her ears is tipped in his direction as the other listens to the world around them. She simply cannot believe him, there is no way that the kingdom would let here live within his borders without asking for anything in return. Even loyalty could be quested, as she could always leave when she wanted. ”Do you know how.. illogical and strange that actually sounds?”
As she silently thinks of all the things he had said her eyes travel across the Gates’ lands once again. The beauty of the lands touch her, they meet up with the dream every young girl has. It isn’t hard for Esileif to picture herself to live here and if it is true what Magnus has told her, she could find her purpose here. Together with all the other things her heart longs for. ”Can I ask you something, Magnus?” She breaks the silence, once again casting her gaze in his direction.
”Would you want me to join the Gates? Would the Gates want and accept it? And how do you picture me serving the kingdom?”
you and I both know that the house is haunted and you and I both know that the ghost is me
He laughs at her disbelief, just nodding his head. “It’s true.” He knew that some kingdoms asked blood oaths of their members—asked them to wear their tattoos and their carvings upon their body as proof of their loyalty. He was not against such rituals, could even understand them, but that simply wasn’t the way of the Gates. They were, for the most part, a trusting kingdom—a haven. They were open to those who wanted to join their ranks as much as they were open to those who simply needed a place to rest their head. It was not in their DNA to ask for more than their kingdom members were willing to give.
“It’s a no strings attached offer. You stay, join, rise the ranks. Should you choose to leave, we wish you well, although we would be admittedly sad at the departure.” He knew that some would think that was crazy; someone would view it as absolutely absurd that they left themselves open to betrayal like that, but Magnus loved that most of all about Heaven. In their own way, they were the bravest kingdom out there because they loved without boundaries. They did not ask for your soul as collateral.
At her next question, his face grows somber again, and he considers it—giving the question the weight that it deserves. Finally, he gives her a shadow of a smile, the traces of it found in the corners of his scarred lips. “I want you to join the Gates very much, but I also don’t want to pressure you.” He pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is husky, genuine, “And I think the Gates would welcome you with open arms. We’d be lucky to have you.” Another brief smile. “As for how I envision you serving the Gates, it’s hard to say. The way everyone contributes is highly personal and unique to them. Some find their purpose in recruiting new souls; others find their purpose in battle prowess. Some even serve the kingdom simply in living here and glorifying the kingdom their presence and their love. It’s up to you.”
Oh, she would proudly wear any mark her home would lay upon her, but she would also want them gone if she ever left her home for a better place. And there for the idea of no oaths and blood bonds appealed to her. A subtle smile pulls on her lips and her whole posture relaxes. ”I believe you, all though you surprised me there, Magnus.” As they talk and walk around the gates they are gifted with a nice day which compliments the Gates’ beauty. Esileif enjoys the warmth of the sun upon her back, it makes her feel kind off lazy and relaxed. It was a perfect day for an easy tour through sun kissed lands.
Esileif does believe him, he doesn’t look like the type with all beautiful talk to betray you when you fall for it. He doesn’t seem to be lying and she cannot picture the Gates as such too either. It is because of that that she values his opinion, not only on the kingdom or kingdom matters, but also on the topic of her stay there. After all, Magnus knows the kingdom better than she does and she is sure he can tell her if she fits or does not fit in the light kingdom’s ranks.
A clear laugh leaves her lips and the young mare turns her odd-eyed eyes towards him to look at him with a grin, clearly somewhat amused. ”Don’t trouble yourself about that, Magnus. Your words don’t pressure me, but I’m just curious to how you picture me here” she explains herself. Once again his words flatter her and it stirs some unknown yet pleasant feelings deep within her. It is the first time – other than her parents – say such thing to her and Esileif cannot help but to be pleased with it. Oh, how much she had longed for this, recognition, and she surely would be able to get used to it.
She’s sure that he will be able to read upon her face how she feels, how his words reach and touch her. She does not like it and instead she tries to ignore it the best she can. This isn’t the right place and time to appear vulnerable – if such time would ever come. So instead she pushes herself to appear strong and unmoved. ”You are quite a charmer, aren’t you Magnus?” she teases lightly as she grins at him. As she pauses the look upon her face grows more serious again, all though Esi still tries to hide her anxiousness and actual enthusiasm for the things he had told her. ”I want to be part of something bigger, something great. Your words sound very promising on that, but can you actually affirm that? It would be a shame if my expectations wouldn’t quite live up to the truth.
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