the dark light [Solace, Kagerus, Valdis, any]

[Solace]

---

Solace

. . .

He agrees, but she notes the hesitation - the insecurity - which seems to dampen his acceptance. "You won't have to make any decision for a long time yet," the young mother adds with a playful nudge of her shoulder to his. Solace wants her firstborn to be prepared for his future, but she didn't want to heap too much responsibility on him before he was ready. "I think you will enjoy the challenge, but it is only practice."

But it is obvious that his mind is still curing  (it always was, it was one thing she admired about her young son) and so his next question doesn't catch her off her guard. Still, Solace takes a moment to think, wondering how far she would fall in her children's esteem to admit that there was so much she didn't know about the painted stallion. 

"Castile is a drifter," a rolling stone, a weak moment, "and a bit of a soldier."

Her answer fades off as she thinks of the two matching scars on each of her shoulders where his claws had gripped her, of the way the mountains had shuddered at the power of his roar. The dragon-shifter was one of the most powerful creatures in Beqanna, and he had wrestled bitterly with that responsibility. 

"He was the regent of Loess once, and the general at one point too, back when there was another on the throne. He is a good man, Velk," she adds, "but just a little lost... He had great, unruly power and he was afraid of hurting others."

Then the sounds of another grazing catch her attention. Solace looks over her shoulder to see her mate and a tender smile softens her features. "Kagerus," she calls to the grazing mare, hoping that she did not feel her appearance was poorly timed. She stretches out her muzzle with ought leaving her place at Velk's side, drawing Kagerus closer with her greeting. 

"Maybe we should start your training right now?" the gold splashed mare suggests as her cerulean gaze is drawn back to the colt. Her voice hold a hint of laughter, but Solace hopes that her answers are enough for her son for now - that he doesn't let the mystery of his father's identity fester in his heart.