Like a Thorn to the Holy Ones [Magnus, Mast]

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

Magnus does not have Light tendencies. He may have led the traditionally Light kingdom’s army and even worn her crown, but he does not abide by her deep-seeded philosophies. To the buckskin stallion, there are some compromises that are worth being made if the means can be justified by the end. It was perhaps the greatest divide between him and the rest of the kingdom he otherwise loved. Perhaps he was just more willing to make the tough decisions, bear the burden of that guilt, so that they could be safe. If he had to wear the bloodstain of those sins and stand that weight so they could live freely, he would.

So he does not cut off Nymphetamine or immediately dismiss the proposition. In fact, the golden soldier does not say anything at all. Instead, he watches him grimly, his lacerated lips pressed together in thought, nodding along to show that he was indeed listening even if he did not say anything. It is only when the blood bay falls silent that he shifts at all, rolling his scarred shoulders and taking a deep, rattling breath.

“Well, that is certainly not what I was expecting.” There is humor that plays around his mouth, one corner of his lips rising into a crooked smile as he glances toward the other. “I can understand that though.” A choked laugh. “Hell, I can respect that.” Narrowing his gold-flecked eyes, he studies Nymphetamine more closely, thinking backward on the relatively short spans of time they had known one another. He had thought he had a pretty good grasp on the stud, but he was beginning to think he was all wrong.  

Not that he minded. He rather enjoyed who he was getting to know now.

“That being said, I cannot agree to it—and cannot send you into the lion’s den—without first having Mast hear you out.” Magnus lifts his head briefly and lets out a loose, throaty call for the deer-king before he looks back to his companion. “You should also know that this is not an endeavor without its risks. The Chamber has plenty of tricks up their sleeves—including magicians—and they do not take lightly to traitors.” He thinks of his father, a perpetual guardian to the kingdom, but dismisses it. “It could be highly useful though to have some inside information, not to mention a pair of eyes watching out for our Queen.”

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.