Peace was indeed a funny thing—and something Magnus had not felt in a long time.

For the last several years, his life had been thrown into turmoil. From the war brewing on the horizon to the way he had been yanked into a magical prison and then spit out again. To the reckoning that had shattered everything to the weight of trying to successfully lead a land into stability and, yes, peace. A dream that seemed further and further removed from reality with every single day that passed.

It wasn’t a dream that he was willing to give up on yet though. So he bent to the weight of the yoke and shouldered it. He would work himself to the bone if it meant that he could drag them just an inch closer to the idea of a peaceful, stable land—and that started with filling it first. So he did what he always did and made his way to the field, picking up the rhythm of an old life that no longer fit right.

The field was not the field he remembered: it did not bustle with activity; the recruiters did not share stories of lands he recognized; nothing was the same. Still, he enjoyed the motions of it. He enjoyed getting to meet new faces and greet them to Beqanna or help them find some sort of purpose. He enjoyed the act of helping strangers move toward the next chapter of their life, wherever that might be.

So he didn’t hesitate to make his way toward the mare, grinning despite himself for her antics in the water. It was refreshing to see someone be so relaxed and at home here—everything recently had been so doom and gloom. He approached just as she was lowering herself to the ground and he nickered lightly in a friendly greeting. “Hello,” one corner of his mouth lifted into a crooked smile. “It is a pleasure to see someone enjoying the field so much although you must be cold now.” He certainly was.

“My name is Magnus. How are you doing on a fine day like this?”

magnus

He saw a tinge of embarrassment and almost wished that he hadn’t said anything. It had been charming to see her so enjoy herself; he wished more nowadays could lose themselves in the moment the way that she had. Since the reckoning, things had been so dark and somber; it was more common to come across someone who was crying and not laughing. The brief moments when happiness did ring out across the land seemed short-lived and followed by the bitter teeth of silence. It was not popular to be jovial.

(Not that he blamed anyone. It was difficult when so much had been stripped away.)

Still, he very much enjoyed her pleasure in the moment and the smile on his face did not falter. “It is indeed beautiful here,” he agreed, looking around them. The field had always been one of his favorite places to visit; the endless possibilities of it were fascinating to him—intoxicating even. He loved the way so many people could begin, or rewrite, their story simply by visiting this place. It had a touch of magic.

“I am doing well. I am glad to see the field picking up in activity—it means there is life still in Beqanna.” It had grown quiet, perhaps too quiet, as the dust settled. He imagined most people had withdrawn, like him, to get their bearings and lick their wounds, but it was time for things to right themselves. Just because disaster had befallen them didn’t mean that they had to stay down. The sun always rose again.

When she shivered and mentioned the cold, he motioned to his side. “If you want, you can come over here and warm up for a bit.” His smile was just a touch shy, crooked and charming.

“I am not good for many things, but I might be able to help with this."

magnus

He did not think twice about his offer or how quickly she accepted it. He just smiled and accepted her by his side, letting her lean into his own heat. He did not often miss the wings that had once graced his shoulders (they had been unnatural to him and had taken far too long for him to grow used to), but he did miss the ability to better warm others. There had been several times where it had come in handy—when Minette had been shivering from fear, when Amorette had been fascinated by the feathers.

And now, glancing down at the mare freezing by his side, he found himself missing them.

Still, he did the best he could with his own body heat, curling around her and giving a low laugh when she teased him. “Well, let’s see,” he mused. “I am fairly good at making young mares feel old.” He winked. “And I am not half bad at finding good conversation.” It was reassuring to know that despite all of the changes around Beqanna that you could still run across someone with a good heart and an easy smile.

“You are very welcome, Shariden.” For a moment, he relaxed into the silence between them, feeling at ease in her presence before he glanced down. “So, other than to nearly freeze to death, what brings you to the field on a day as cold as this?” One corner of his scarred mouth lifted into a crooked grin. “Unless, of course, freezing to death was your end game, in which case, why on earth would you do that?”

And with that, he simply regarded her, his gold-flecked eyes kind and curious. It seemed unlikely that she had wandered all the way out here simply to enjoy the frosty water, but you never knew.

magnus

Her company was comfortable and easy, and he found himself relaxing, his gold-flecked gaze still flicking to the border but with less anxiety. The field was, for the most part, abandoned. There was no significant thread patrolling the area, and he was not overtly concerned that the pair of them could be ambushed by anyone. It was as good a time as any to let down his guard and enjoy friendly company without fret.

“Well, that is an ill-advised hobby,” he laughed, the sound of his own chuckle twining with hers so that the noise echoed around them. One day, hopefully soon, the field would once again ring with laughter from groups of horses; perhaps today was not that day, but he appreciated the thought of it. “Next time, you should consider safer options, such as diving off the closest cliff.” His eyes warmed with humor.

His expression, however, sobered slightly as she continued talking. “A fresh start?” he questioned, musing lightly. He knew the appeal in starting over—the necessity of it, in some situations. He himself had come here before to find the same thing. He had been more desperate though, trying to free himself from something, trying to outrun something that seemingly could not be outrun. “I may be able to assist you with that,” he offered, winking. “Perhaps I am indeed good for something.” He paused a second before he gave her another smile. “Would you like to hear about my home? It’s called Tephra, and it is beautiful.”

Not that he was biased or anything.

magnus