DAWN
i just killed off what was left of the optimist in me
Since the move to Pangea and her resulting pregnancy, she has kept mostly to herself.
She had stood beside Litotes as he announced to the Cove what was happening, and felt the surge of pride when her own daughter, her firstborn, nominated herself to take over after her mother. A quick discussion with Lie and that had settled things – Issy was to take over the Cove and care for her inhabitants as her mother before her. Her other children had voted to stay within the subkingdom as well; it breaks Dawn’s heart to think about, but by now they are all old enough to care for themselves, and it will be a relief to not have to cater to the whims of four children and focus now on being a queen.
Her body aches as she lumbers through the kingdom she has yet to explore much of, her eyes studying the barren terrain and falling on the meandering river that cuts the kingdom in half. Many call this place a wasteland – it is a land that Carnage himself had raised from the depths, after all, and what better to call a place created by the Dark God – but Dawn finds a queer beauty in it, and most of all a feeling of serenity. Her hooves carry her towards the river as contractions find her finally, and it is by the bank that she births her second son.
By now, she is an old pro at this, and the foal comes easily. He is a colt with a coat like molten gold, and she smiles as she licks the boy clean. Tendrils of shadow surround them despite there being no shade nearby, and she chuckles as she realizes he must have inherited his father’s newest ability. “My little Darkling,” she whispers as she presses her nose into his neck, inhaling deeply. Climbing to her hooves, she nudges the boy to stand. “Come now, little prince. It is time to see your home.”
