"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
The ebony mare galloped through the forest, her tail was raised and flowing as the wind she created ruffled her fur. She flailed her head towards the sky whinnying, for the first time in a couple years she has felt free. She came to peace that she may never see Akkadian again, he held her heart and she held onto the thought they would meet again and everything would be back to normal, but it never happened. There dear son was now a stallion and was off on his own life adventure. Josie left Beqanna out of the pain of losing Akkadian but she returned, she was ready to move on in her life.
The beautiful spring season, it was night time and the moon was shining bright. It offered the only glimpse of light in the dark wooded area. It was calm, too calm, the night animals were not stirring about as usual, there was not many fresh foals which meant all the mares had kingdoms they lived in. She finally slid to a halt and scanned the horizon, she snorted releasing the last bit of adrenaline her body carried. A smile tugged at her lips, she was ready to move from him, ready to piece together her life once more.
The forest of Beqanna had always been a place of solace for Belgaer and as he walked among the towering trees he kept his wings pinned tightly against his sides, making him appear smaller than he was. The fragrances of spring permeated the air and filled his nose with the tantalizing scent of pine and moistened dirt. Having traveled a fair distance from the sandy shore of his home on Ischia. He was young and he knew that he had much to learn, but he was willing and determined to prove himself.
Surprisingly void of other horses, Belgaer enjoyed a moment lost to the quiet and the solitude. With nothing but his thoughts for company he’d slowly felt himself begin to relax. The deeper he traveled into the fold of trees the more his thoughts tended to wander away the pressure he’d slowly began to feel. A gentle glowing of light drew his attention away to the shaded path he’d been walking down. Veering off course he walked toward the soft break in the trees. Pushing his way through the thinning brush he found himself standing alone in a clearing. Stray fingers of sunlight covered the area, warming the spotted chestnut of his coat. He loved spring and the welcome relief from the snow. Anticipation lingered in the air. Mothers all across the land, young and old, waited restlessly for the arrival of their long-awaited babies. His own mother had grown large with child and was expecting the birth of his newest sibling to be soon upon them. Excitement coursed through him. He couldn’t wait to meet his newest brother or sister. A light smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he imagined the new lanky little foal. He would not have been surprised if the foal should decide to arrive whilst he was away.
Suddenly interrupted, his thoughts faded at the sound of another horse crashing through the surrounding foliage. The chestnut of his ears traced the as it circled around him before a small black mare broke through the thicket and slid to a halt. Amber eyes watched as she stood stone still, her sides heaving from the force of exertion. She was smiling. An almost haunting expression amongst the midnight of her features. Involuntarily fluffing his wings, he felt himself gravitate closer to her.
”Excuse me, miss,” he inquired with a hint of concern upon his voice. ”Are you lost?”
He didn’t claim to know the forest any better than any other resident in Beqanna, but he’d been born to this land and he’d been taught well by his father on how to navigate through her many varying landscapes. The least he could do was offer to lead her out if she was in need.
Her eyes closed as she found peace in the forest, she listened as the wind blew, whistling between her ears. Her dear son Ezra popped into her mind and she wondered what he was doing now, was he still in Beqanna? She knew he would be fine, he was a strong stallion, just like his father was. Her mind flickered back to reality, back to the land she stood in today. The last time she was here the lands had shifted and surely the Kingdoms are different, even the equine. There could be a whole new era of equines in the few years she had been gone for.
Her eyes popped open as the sound of the wind grew stronger, it was different, It was another. Her mind quickly thought to Akkadian, and she swears she could even smell him. But her mind was playing tricks, he could not fly, he did not have wings. It was a spotted chestnut stallion, he landed softly before her and asked if she was lost. His voice held concern, and she found it touching that he care. She could not help but allow a soft laugh to escape her lips No, I love the forest at night. She smiles to the stallion assuring him, she felt like he was nice enough. The opprotunity to take advantage was there, but she did not think he would. My name is Josie, I lived here some time ago now. She paused as her memories of her time in Beqanna flooded her mind. Her wonderful mother, her adoptive father and sheba his spirit animal, her icy kingdom, her love, her foal, the shift in the land.
NO MORE She thought, yelling at her own mind. The past was the past and today was the present, her gaze looked to him What is your name? What Kingdom do you live in? Her voice was gentle, her gaze was soft. I am curious to what Kingdoms there are now, I left when the lands shifted, all these Kingdoms are new to me. At least she hoped he was in a Kingdom, he could be a loner.
Sandwiched between the meadow and the river, Belgaer had often escaped to the comfort of the trees’ embrace. Flying across the sea had been an easy enough task and had offered him an outlet to explore his curiosity. As a foal he’d heard tales of the desolation of Taiga – the wrath of the fairies after it’s caretakers had quarreled amongst themselves. Many lives had been lost, but a lesson had been learned. Many a times, despite his parents bidding that he’d refrain, he’d made the journey to the forest and sat himself on the opposite side of the river. From there he’d search for signs of life within Taiga, signs that there was hope that it would overcome the horror of it’s past. Slowly, over the years, he’d begun to see a slow healing take place, but he still liked to stand on the banks of the river and mark the changes since his last visit.
Young, though he was, Belgaer felt as though his soul had aged past his number of years. Presented with the beauty before him, he sensed the tingling of youth within her. Like him, however, the lighthearted laughter masked an uncertainty deep set within her gaze. By her own admission, she was just returning to Beqanna after a prolonged absence and he couldn’t help but wonder what had driven her away initially.
Josie, she called herself. A simple name, but beautiful to his ears. She held herself with a maturity that, he feared, surpassed his own.
”Josie, I am Belgaer, son of Brennen,” he’s hoped that, perhaps, his father’s name would be of some comfort to her as she returned to Beqanna. Like him, Brennen had been gifted with immortality and he’d met many a horse in his time. Bred with even more, he thought wryly. ”I am not certain of the Beqanna you left, but there are a few kingdoms to offer you their safety. I reside in Ischia alongside my family and am on my way there now. If you’d like, I can show you the way?”
He hoped that his offer didn’t come across as overly ambitious. As an aspiring diplomat he knew he was expected to recruit, something that he’d never been entirely comfortable with. Diplomatic missions were more his speed. Still, he kept a friendly smile upon his face as he awaited the mare’s reply.
She glances over the spotted chestnut stallion, he towered over her in size. Although he was lean, and his wings made him look broader than he truly was; overall, he was not sore on the eyes. She gently sways hee tail and perks her ears towards the stag as he talks. He introduces himself as Belgaer, son of Brennen. She did not know a Brennen but perhaps he held a high rank in the new Beqanna. She nods as a sign she is following as he continues to talk. He notes that there are a few kingdoms in Beqanna, he resided in Ischia. A smile tugs at her lips at the mention of Ischia, the beautiful Island she had visited once before. She ran into Hod, the speckled stallion, hopeful to reside permanently in Ischia.
It is nice to meet you Belgaer, I have visite Ischia once before! She admits to him, thinking back to the beach, the beautiful green trees, and the colorful parrots that sing loudly. I loved the kingdom, I would love to be a permanent resident. she smiles with a hint of interest in her gaze I would love for you to escort me she moves forward brushing against him gently. She knew which direction the kingdom lay, she turns around looking for the chestnut stallion. are you coming? She laughs awaiting him to accompany her. She felt young again, like she did before Akkadian, before there history began. Yes, she still loved Akkadian but she felt different. She did not need him, she was okay being back in Beqanna. She feels free, a weight lifted from her shoulder. It was almost as if he released her from his love spell, letting her move on with her life.
@[Belgaer] She has a theead in Ischia so I figured he could just escort her back?
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as she spoke fondly of his home. Ischia was a beautiful island that had many wonders about it. As a colt he’d always found himself fascinated by the glowing plankton that lit the waters with their iridescent blue glow. To this day, he still found himself drawn to the beach at night. Excitement filled him at the prospect of showing Josie all the wonders of Ischia. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew that his father would like her.
He laughed as she set out ahead of him… in the wrong direction.
”This way,” he called out as he gestured towards a faint opening in the trees. A wry smile overtook his features, ”I know a shortcut.”
The Prodigal Son
@[Josie] Not sure if you wanted to do a thread together in Ischia...maybe of him showing her the beach at night? Let me know.
