She should have left when her children had. But Castle's parting words had stalled her, anchored her to the earth as she watched his abrupt departure. With uplifted eyes, she had lingered a moment too long. Velk and Valdis slipped off in the direction of Silver Cove, and she had trusted them to do as she said, to seek safety within the herd where they could re-group and decide what was to be done. But all three of her loved ones had defied her when she was trying as hard as she could to keep their world from unraveling. But the worst part was they had done so silently. They left her standing alone in an empty kingdom, believing she still had some authority.
Another pass over the mountains had confirmed that the land had been evacuated and Solace had returned to the warmth and comfort of her wife's side. It wasn't long before soothing words and a draft of Kagerus' magic had lulled Solace into a peaceful, regenerative sleep.
But morning's light had reviled that her son and daughter had never returned to Silver Cove. But now in the final stages of her pregnancy, Solace had been forced to wait. Days passed in discomfort and ignorance, and as soon as she was able Solace had left her newborn son in the care of Velk to take to the sky.
The hours stretch on as she flies, seemingly aimlessly, above the common lands and Hyaline in search of her missing offspring. Each movement below her causes her head to snap in it's direction, false hope ignited over and over again. She is just about to tun back, to accept that her (not quite) grown children just don't want to be found, when her thoughts are interrupted by an unfamiliar voice in her own head.
As the fae calls, Solace knows she doesn't have another option. Banking left, Hyaline's Caretaker readjusts her rout to make for the looming mountain to the south.
Her heart is heavy as she soars, but her pink lips are pressed into a grim line. Others have beat her to the meeting, and the large number of responders gives her hope for a cure. But then she sees Valdis, and her mouth goes dry. Her oldest daughter stands before the magickers with laser-like focus. A spark of pride flares in her breast, a contrast to the foreboding she can't shake and the icy wind which whips around them here in this sacred place.
But Kagerus is also there, and Solace is quick to tuck herself alongside her mate after a silent yet affectionate kiss. Her cerulean gaze, attentive yet wary, turns to the demi-gods before there is a chance to speak. Solace holds her head high, poised yet humbled by the power encompassed by the half-circle of beings before them. A gasp escapes her lips as they receive a small sample of that power, stripped of their traits in an instant. She is sharply reminded that when playing with gods, her immortality was little protection.
But the only other option was passivity - helplessness. With the plague spreading like wildfire, she had to trust Beqannas' guardians. It was only a matter of time before the sickness touched her own family and she wouldn't standby while that happened.
The pale queen's shoulders are light and her stride is springy as they set out on the fairies quest. She stays close to Kagerus' flank as they travel across the familiar territory, and even closer in the unfamiliar mists of Tagia. The residual magic from the tragedy causes the corners of her moth to turn down, and an uncomfortable prickle to set her hairs standing on-end. But the endless trotting is tranquil precursor to what she knows is coming, and the gold-splashed mare finds the miles melt away as her mind wanders.
But her internal musings are put to a stop too soon. A brisk winter wind rips her tri-colored forelock away from her bow, and she returns to the present as the land disappears under choppy, grey waters. Kagerus surges ahead, always fearless when she needed to be, and Solace follows her example as best she can.
With quick, small breaths Solace slides into the icy water. The Lake of Hyaline was poor practice for the arctic waters of this channel, swift and freezing they pull at her numbing legs with terrifying strength. She lets the current guide her, making for the shore at an angle. As Solace reaches the shore her step is stiff and her neck rigid, but she pushes through the tension in her joints to trot forward. Warm blood rushes from her core into her limbs, and she can only hope the fairies won't leave them standing here for long.
With a sake of her crest, Solace circles back to Kagerus, seeking to press her side to that of her wife's before looking across the sea of strangers for Valdis.
we are the ever-living ghost of what once was
