"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
07-27-2017, 07:14 PM (This post was last modified: 07-27-2017, 07:15 PM by Nayl.)
I am not afraid... I was born to do this.
Her voice is strong, just as it has always been. It is fierce, her fiery eyes glimmering with the inner spirit that will never be tethered down. At first, she calls for them, but then is hugged by a silence that briefly reigns over the cliffside with the exception of the crying seagulls. A brief glance finds them hovering overhead before she urges a strong wind to carry them elsewhere.
It isn’t long until they gather, their eyes bright with curiosity and their ears desperately searching for her words, but Nayl waits patiently until they’ve all arrived. Their numbers have fluctuated – rising and falling with the tides – but still they remain strong and a formidable force. She thrives on their success, and wants only for it to continue, to never let their flame burn out.
”Nerine,” she finally says when their gaze settles on her and they’ve all quieted down after their greetings. ”It has been a while,” and certainly the time has slipped through their fingers, especially her own. There are plans still in the making and yet the agenda never seems to clear away. It seems like she is leaving ends untied. Rolling her shoulders and mapping her motives, she spares a glance to her daughter clutched to her side. A fleeting smile brightens the thin line of her lips, but she refocuses quickly on those that have gathered. ”I want to touch bases and I want to bring promotions to attention." It has been far too long since this last happened, but whose fault is it? Hers? Theirs? She doesn’t know nor does she care. What matters is now.
”Heartfire is Nerine’s Lady now,” her efforts have never gone unnoticed. Nayl has been enjoying the mare find her place on the coastland. ”Brennen has been absent and therefore no longer holds a place in the men’s army or as Protector in Hyaline. While a protector remains open in Hyaline for now, Orion’s Belt will be promoted as second-in-command for the stallions.” Nayl glances first to the roan mare, then to the black stallion, and she offers them warm, congratulatory nods. They are utmost importance, they and their ranks, but then she notices others and her head tilts to one side. ”Step forward and introduce yourselves if you are new,” she allows them to do so and to help bring more life into Nerine’s veins.
”I also want all of your suggestions to continue Nerine’s success. Do you have any ideas to help our home continue to thrive?”
As the stars bid the morning adue Tarvelie awoke, pale sails stretching out beside her. The lands were still kissed with droplets of due, the cool air tickling her sides as it drifted past. Though unlike any other day in the costal kingdom, the wind brought with it a message. A call to all inhabitants of the land she called home. A call to come together, to be one. The dun mare stiffened, taking a look over herself. Though she was healing, her body was still frail. Bones still protruding, eyes still hollow in color. This was no way to meet her queen. Though the cry calls to her again, and she sighs queitly. Wings stretch, fluttering before carrying her into the skies. The wind around her is rough on her face, though the sting is welcome , lusted for by the dark mare. It is not long until she reaches the gathering, pale hooves conecting gracefully with the ground. Her image was sickly, a tragic look for she who carried herself so highly. With a shake of her frame the pale sails that carried her here fold into themselves, tucking quietly into her sides. SHe regarded the others kindly, a smile or bob of her curved face as a small hello to her fellow neighbors. It isnt long before her green hues land upon the one who had summoned them. The painted queen. And by god did she look like one. For the month that she had been in Nernine Tarvelie had quietly respected the woman who had built herself a kingdom. For that was an honorable thing. Something not accomplished by many. Though as she looked at the blue mare that stood before them all, and the child that hugged her side, the respect doubled. This was a mother, a ruler, a friend of many. She called those of which who were new to present themselves, and her heart skipped. Moments before she had feared meeting the queen in her state, and now the whole kingdom was to see the pitiful hollow she had made out of herself. Despite this she stepped forward, head raising against the rough wind. "Tarvelie." She spoke, voice strong despite her fears. She nodded to the queen, smiling softly at the foal so tightly held to the womans side, and with that the dun faded into the crowd once more.
On one hand, it was beautiful - granite cliffs as tall as skyscrapers, fine gray sand that lined the sea, caves that the mare could rest her head in.It was luxurious and peaceful, a perfect place for her to start herself anew as the jaguar mare had told her to.
You're not a victim, are you?
On the other, her reasons for coming here had been less than reputable, and she wasn't sure how the queen of this land would react to her continuing her stay here. A departure seemed dreadful...but she could understand why Nayl wouldn't allow her to remain within the boarders.
Speaking of queens, a call is carried through the wind to the crimson mare's ears, and her heart wrenches. A meeting for all who inhabit Nerine...that means the green stallion would be there, as well as the jaguar and blue roan mares. Nayl was probably already aware of her existence...but if she was not, would they tell of her first intentions? She would have to find out.
Chrisma unfolded her copper wings, taking flight gracefully - something she hadn't done in many moons. The wind felt amazing on her face as she flew with the birds. She saw the gathering from a few miles away, and she hesitated briefly. She took a deep breath, and then landed on the powdery sand. She folded her wings tightly at her sides as she walked up to meeting. She stayed in the back of the gathering of horses, listening as the beautiful smokey black tobiano spoke about promotions and other happenings in the kingdom.
Then, she said it, and Chrisma stopped breathing.
"Step forward and introduce yourself if you are new." It was a demand, and not a question. Chrisma held her breath as she inched towards the queen, preparing herself for the worst, but hoping for the best. Nayl was beautiful, and she definitely radiated the word "leader" - her head was held tall, her body poised and regal. The child that clung to her side only heightened Chrisma's respect for her; all of the work involved in being a leader, and she still raised a child.
And then, she was there, standing in front of the mare, hazel eyes looking into Nayl's. Chrisma bowed her head, and slowly began to say her name.
Not much has happened since her arrival unless you count the odd moment on the cliffs. The one with the mare contemplating her own death, the cynical goading of the garden snake, the way Heartfire had crumbled rock with the flick of her tail. She doesn’t know if her words had any effect on the girl, filled with sorrow and grief. Instead she had left and kept to herself, trying to explore this place. She’s still unsure if she belongs, if this could ever be like the jungle had once been to her.
Her fascination with the ocean has increased, often finding herself standing on the edge of one of the many white cliffs and staring out into it’s deep blue depths from dusk till dawn. It was unlike the death sands of the beach, this place. It was different, the jaguar mare felt so out of tune and yet so enraptured at the same time.
It’s where she is when the call rings out, a rather quiet day. Even the sea birds are calm, roosting amongst the rocks. Her golden eyes are searching the choppy waves, looking for dolphins or whales to breach. A slight tick of her head is the only acknowledgment that she has heard the summoning, a voice filled with authority. She has yet to meet Nerine’s Queen or many others besides those that had witnessed the almost death. She doesn’t rush towards it either, instead she waits a few minutes. There was no hurry, not when she was still trying this place on like a slipper. Making sure it was the right fit.
Quietly she saunters over, ripples of sinewy muscle beneath russet flesh, gleaming jaguar spots catching the light when she moves. Everything about her speaks of the jungle, where she came from, what she is. Even if she doesn’t truly know it herself. Her narrowed amber gaze falls on the small few that have gathered before her. The painted mare holding court before them, she knows this is the Queen. Recognizes the air of authority in her stance, the way she holds herself. As she herself once had. There’s no sign of Heartfire yet, her eyes travel over the other two. One is unknown but the other is familiar.
She looks much better now, cleaner. More put together. There’s a brightness that lights up the eyes that had once been so dim. An approving look is casted her way, a faint smile of pleasure ghosting about her dark lips. It was good to see she had heard her after all. Focusing her attention back to Nayl, she pauses as the other speaks. A promotion for the one that had brought her here, fitting as she remembers the girl’s flare in her recruitment skills. Throughout the rest of the kingdom chatter, she quietly watches Nayl. Assessing the type of mare that stood before her. ”Tantalize.” She finally offers once it’s become clear she’s to introduce herself. Whatever judgement she has made upon the ruler known to only her, the features of her face closed and guarded.
Sorry, this is super crummy, but I wanted to get something up
show them the joy and the pain and the ending
The call to meeting is not unexpected. It had been some time since Nayl had gathered them all together. And much had changed since then. Not perhaps on the surface, but that is not where Heartfire keeps closest watch.
They come from all corners of the kingdom, gathering before their dual-toned queen. Heartfire arrives without fanfare, quietly slipping through the settling bodies to claim a space along the edges. A space from which she can observe quietly. They are all familiar to her, though some more so than others. Perhaps she has not met all gathered, but only a fool would believe her unacquainted. At least she with them, even if they know nothing of her. She has made quite to practice of knowing just what occurs within her kingdom. Just as she has of the outside realms as well. There is little of significance that goes on in these lands that she does not know of.
She remains silent as Nayl speaks, offering only a dip of her head in acknowledgement of the promotion. She had worked hard for such things, and she has never been one to be coy. One other is handed a promotion as well, and though she has yet to have opportunity to speak with him in person, from what she had observed, it was deserved as well.
Those new to the land then introduce themselves. Heartfire follows the progression silently, blue eyes shifting from one to the other as they make their brief introductions. Two she had met of course (one being her own recruit), and the other she had not (though she had seen snippets of her).
Finally it comes to Nayl, and she asking if they have any suggestions. She remains silent for a long moment, gaze considering the black and white mare standing before them. Finally, she simply adds, “I do, but we will discuss them at another time.”
i filled up my senses with thoughts from the ghosts
He arrives late to the meeting but the call is heard from within Sylva. Having taken refuge there recently for good reasons. He decides he best return to his homeland to explain his tardiness as of lately.
The large greyed stallion joins the group, looking to each as they speak their names. Taking note of the newcomers. Nodding his crown in greeting. Attention turning to his Queen, "Pardon thee for my absence M'Lady. I had come across a lone child in thy field. Djinni has been so kind to offer us a home until he 'tis old enough to join us 'ere." His blue eyes finding her gaze, "I accept my position and will be back in due time My Queen."
With not another word he turns to the Sylva border. He would be back soon with his son...
![[Image: tarvelie_by_voltum-dbhxuco.png]](http://orig03.deviantart.net/733c/f/2017/208/0/b/tarvelie_by_voltum-dbhxuco.png)
