KINGDOM MEETING

[Scorch]

WATCH THE FLAMES CLIMB HIGH INTO THE NIGHT

When the cry went up, a kind of knot formed in Scorch's stomach; once, it had been her calling her sister together; once, it had been her kingdom. Memories of her time ruling played in the mare's dragon eyes as she quickly moved through the cliff-side kingdom. The Jungle, her sisters, how eager they all were to truly commit, a group of people with a life energy that seemed to have disappeared after the reckoning. But they were rebuilding; and for now, Scorch's role in that effort was to be the advisor. The second in command. Not the queen - she told herself this as she settled in among the crowd, ignoring the way her legs itched to climb to a higher surface upon which to address her people.

Today, she addressed nothing; but she did listen, and occasionally, she spoke.

"Thank you, Hestia," Came her brusque voice upon the recognition of her promotion. She stepped forward, eyes flashing, identifying herself to all there as some may not yet know her. But upon seeing her once, they ought not forget: hairless and scarred, Scorch had been easier on the eyes which flaming tattoos covered the entirety of her figure.

"As was said, please find me if you are itching for work; however, I strongly encourage all members of Nerine to recruit. This is a duty expected of everyone, not just diplomats. There is more strength in numbers than in those who think themselves above the Field." Looking from face to face with an intensity reminiscent of her past queenship, Scorch sank back into the woodwork of those gathered, the knot in her stomach slightly unwound now that she'd had a chance to get some thoughts off her chest.

Old habits die hard; she's used to addressing others this way.

The brotherhood came up next, and Scorch listened, approving of everything Hestia said, nodding curtly every now and again. Her mind's eye went to the meeting they'd had with Brennen earlier this month, and still she felt a certainty undeniable on the subject of this Ischian reformation. When Hestia called upon her to be present at the mutiny, Scorch nodded.

"I have known Brennen since I was a filly, over seventy years ago." Damn, she felt old saying that... "I can vouch for his character, and for his plight in Ischia. Our kingdom will only grow stronger once aligned with Brennen's brotherhood." She looked out into the crowd of faces, searching for any who seem doubtful, and directing her speech towards them. She'd never been more sure of anything in her life; Brennen would lead the brothers well.

On the subject of titles, Scorch said only a short snippet. "I propose we keep the title of Amazons, and the brothers take on the title of Gargareans. In ancient mythology, they were each others opposites." Why the Tundra's men had never held that title before was beyond Scorch - but then again, in the time before, the Tundra and the Amazons had never been sister kingdoms and were instead distinctly different. But perhaps this would be better.

At the mention of the child exchange, Scorch smiled down fondly at her daughter Philomena, who stood stoically, though Scorch knew better than to think she wasn't excited. The two had talked extensively about the exchange and about how to act and what to do; but Mina was a bright child, and she didn't need as much mentoring as Scorch gave her. Pride radiated from the bald mare, a kind of satisfaction that only mothers know.

The rest of the meeting went by with discussion that largely excluded the need for Scorch's interjection, and so instead, she chose to listen. When all was said and done, the sky had turned bright pink; but still the mare waited, knowing that during meetings like these, strangers were wont to show up near the very end of things.

Scorch

Once Khaleesi of the Amazon Jungle
Advisor to Nerine's Hestia