"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
If we don't make it alive, well it's a hell of a good day to die
She can't believe she was so stupid. She hadn't been paying attention to much these days, still shaken after her meeting with her family in the Dale and her meeting with the glass boy in the meadow. He had been plaguing her thoughts often lately. She couldn't seem to shake the way the light turned him into a star and had brightened up her mood. At least she would have Texas while she was here. He had been a valuable friend as she readjusted to life in the Falls and there was no one else she would have asked to accompany her if the choice had been hers. At least the visit was a friendly one.
She felt like a storm. Wild and fierce. Each step left craters in the earth as she galloped towards her destination. Relishing in the pull of her muscles and the wind tangling her pale mane. She was a flighty creature, flesh and bone, and ragged breath. It was easier this way. She didn't have to think of family or duty. No anger or sadness, just the rip of air from her lungs. The pleasant ache in her limbs. She would miss her mother and Triske, but it was an excuse to visit a new kingdom and maybe talk about the Falls new policies. She might actually accomplish something while she was here. It takes her most of the day but eventually she reaches the border of the Deserts and she is struck speechless.
The sun is setting behind the dunes and she is reminded of how little of the world she had actually seen. Everywhere she looks, she sees an endless sea of heat and sand. She can already feel her sweat baking into her coat and more coming up as even in the early evening temperatures are still far hotter than she is accustomed to. She will die twice over before she admits to any discomfort however and stands tall and proud, her signature smirky grin painted on her face. What kind of nightmare hell is this? No water in any direction? she thinks to herself as she lets out a shrill call for her captor and waits for Texas' arrival.
Texas trails behind Tyrna, ambling toward the Desert with no sense of swiftness at all. The bay stallion had spent the better part of the morning submerged and dozing in the pool of the waterfall, and while he’s well-rested, he’s still slow. The years that had passed him by have taken the opportunity to swing back and settle on him; the Falls are leeching him of his immortality. While the healing properties of the waterfall might ease the aches of old bones and arthritis, aging itself is a natural progression of life and he grows more grizzled and silver-streaked as the days pass.
This is not the first time that he’s been to the Desert, and while he settles beside Tyrna with an irritated shake of his head about the heat, he is not surprised. The sabino mare seems bothered – perhaps at the fact that they have been stolen – but Texas is not worried. The Desert is a light kingdom with no history of violence, and the steal is friendly. They’ll probably stay a few hours (maybe overnight, as it’s already late) and then head home. He flicks his tail across his side and mutters under his breath about the heat after offering a brief press of his muzzle to Tyrna’s shoulder in a companionable greeting.
kreios don't you tame your demons, but always keep them on a leash
I’ve been spending more time in the Orange Country since meeting Nymeria and Illusen, but I do my best to remain attentive to my responsibilities in the Desert as well. The day is coming to an end and I am already heading north when I hear a call. It’s from nearby – just beyond the next dune – so I turn away from the path to my herdland and back to where the caller is.
“Hello,” I say, smiling warmly at the silver mare and the bay stallion who is just now coming to stand beside her. “I’m Kreios, and you must be Tyrna and Texas?” I’m sure they are, they smell of water and greenery, but I am polite. The bay stallion does not wear the same smirking grin as his companion, but I hear him mutter something about the extreme heat, and I bob my head in agreement. “It’s good you didn’t come at midday; this is fairly cool.” And it’s true, the setting sun pulls away the scorching heat from the sand; I am not at all uncomfortable, but my companions clearly are.
“I can take you to the oasis, if you’d like some shade and water?” I offer even as I gesture toward the horizon and begin to talk. I’m careful to monitor my pace – not only do I have long strides but I am also accustomed to walking across the sands of the Desert, and I doubt Tyrna and Texas can say the same.
If we don't make it alive, well it's a hell of a good day to die
Tyrna welcomes the brief contact between them as Texas' muzzle presses against her shoulder. It comforts her and some of the tension eases from her muscles. She is mildly surprised when a large stallion with curling black horns crests a dune in front of them. Whatever she had been expecting, well this wasn't it. She took a moment to slowly look the giant over.Well color me impressed. she smirked to herself as he politely introduced himself.
"We are indeed. I am Tyrna and my handsome companion here is Texas, in case you hadn't figured that out on your own." There is a little snark to her words. Not that she means any ill will, it just seems as if it always manages to creep into her voice. "Thank you for coming to meet us. We would be happy to follow you as there are some things we would like to discuss while we are here. Is there any chance we could get an audience with the queen?" Tyrna had yet to hear of the new rulers of the desert and was running on the assumption that Yael would be the one to speak to. There had been talk of alliances with the good kingdom and she might as well broach the subject while she was here. She maintains a polite composure as she follows the imposing stallion deeper into the heart of the kingdom.
Drinking in the sights and sounds of the desert, so very different from her vibrant home, she once more has a pang of self doubt course through her. It is intensified as she spots a cat(?) unlike anything she had ever seen. It didn't appear to be made of flesh, not with how the light bounced off of it oddly, and the face was like something from her darker imaginings. Glancing back at Texas,concern and questions etched along her brow, she can't help but ask herself once more what have I gotten into?
Kreios' actions haven't gone unnoticed by the magic-mare. But does she miss anything, really? Is there anything that goes on, within her kingdom or outside of it, that fails to grab the black mare's attention? She's magic in its fullest expression, everywhere, lacing through everything, beating in her heart and the world's heart. And it is glorious.
And so she sees the steal, sees it go through, and is pleased. Kreios' ambition will be to his benefit here. Perhaps previous rulers would wish things to be more diplomatic. Probably Pevensie would wish the same. But in Camrynn's mind, initiative in any form should always be rewarded.
She watches as they come, trailing across the pink sands, and she can't help but chuckle at the mare's thoughts on the Deserts. Hadn't they all thought that, once upon a time? Hadn't they all wondered where the water was? They'd learn. Or at least, they'd have a quick tour and then go home. You, know, friendly steals and all.
She's debating joining their little party when Tyrna specifically asks for an audience with the queen. Camrynn is still listening in from afar, not anywhere that any of them could spot her, but she flicks an ear and pays closer attention. It surprises her to learn that there are still those who don't know the results of the competition; these things usually spread like wildfire throughout Beqanna, but it is clear to her that the woman is expecting Yael.
Technically, they could have Yael, but she wouldn't be the queen.
And with that, she appears beside them as they are walking, as calm, cool, and collected as though she'd been there all along. She is beautiful, pure black with a metallic gold crook-and-flail shining proud across her chest, and diamonds and gemstones like a strange necklace draping down across her left cheek. Her mane and tail are long and remarkably free of tangles. For the moment, her eyes are a startling leaf-green.
"Between myself and Pevensie, it's almost impossible to avoid an audience with the queen when you come to the Deserts." she says pleasantly, her voice warm like velvet, but friendly and amiable. She holds no ill will toward them. "It's getting both myself and Pevensie in the same place that can prove a little tricky." she smiles. "Kreios, well done. Texas, a pleasure to see you again. And I don't believe I've met you before." she looks to each in turn as she addresses them, and smiles at the girl. Of course she knows Tyrna's name – there's three heads she could've plucked it out of – but it's just so impolite to mind read sometimes. "I'm Camrynn. Pevensie and I together are the queens of the Deserts."
"I hope you'll find your time here pleasant. I'll leave it up to Kreios exactly how long he'd like you to stay, but of course it won't be too long – just a quick, friendly visit." she smiles. "And I promise, it's not all hot and dry. We just hide our water well." with a thought, the air around them cools, becoming less dry and more pleasant. It's just enough of a change that they'd notice it, and it's a localized thing that will happen only around them, but will move with them as they continue onward toward the oasis. It'll probably make Texas' skin crawl a bit, knowing how he feels about magic, but it'll keep them more comfortable in the long run.
Never let it be said that Camrynn is not hospitable.
CAMRYNN
co-queen of the deserts, magical, mother of badassery
kreios don't you tame your demons, but always keep them on a leash
Though I have been taunted before, it has not happened in quite some time. Not since childhood, really, when my brother would torment me knowing that I was unable to reply with anything more than a mumbling stutter. I catch the snark in Tyrna’s words easily, but give her nothing more than a sidelong glance. My temper is far less volatile than my red hair might lead some to believe.
After the initial comment, she seems to become much friendlier, and I’m already nodding in response when Camrynn appears beside us. I’m accustomed to her magical appearances but my heart still skips a beat at her sudden arrival. “Speak of the devil,” I say with a wry smile and no malice in my voice. I accept the queen’s praise with a grateful bob of my head, and then listen politely as she speaks to Tyrna and to Texas.
“You’re free to go whenever you like,” I tell them after Camrynn has said that I will determine the length of their stay. I’ve no desire to keep them away from their homes for longer than it takes to have my progress noticed (and it has been), and would be more than happy to escort them back to the edge of the Desert when they are ready to leave.
*just pretend Texas is standing around being quiet and then harrumphs at the use of magic. I’m not feeling writing two posts right now D:
