She took her time leading Mizaria to the Valley. There was no need to rush, and it gave Topsail an opportunity to point out other kingdoms borders and other landmarks as they passed them. The mare was clearly new to Beqanna, and it wouldn’t do for a Valley member to accidentally wander over the borders of another kingdom. Given her kingdoms past history, it was better for everyone if they kept to themselves unless formally invited. Mizaria had accepted her offer almost eagerly, a fact that thrilled the grulla Queen. Uninspired beings were nothing more than wastes of breath and grazing area, and Topsail wasn’t one to tolerate idleness. She was intent on getting her kingdom to the top once more, and it wouldn’t do to have idle equines doing nothing more than taking up space.
The closer they got to the Valley, the steeper the ridges became. They rose and fell sharply, their jagged peaks reaching for the sky above them. “Just a bit further.” Topsail murmured, throwing her head forward and down as the began the last leg of the journey. Finally, when the forest had thickened an become almost impenetrable and the air had thinned with altitude, they were there. The bordering edges of the Valley. The residents lived down in the proverbial bowl of the Valley, but the best view was up here on the ridges. From here, one could see the ever lasting fog rolling thick from the opposite ridge. Like the forest, it was a force all of its own. The sun had little power here, though it always tried its best to filter through the mist. Topsail admired the strength of the fog, how relentless it was when taking what it wanted. With a smile, she turned to Mizaria. “Here she is. The Valley. Welcome home.” With a nod towards the path, she stepped aside to let the black mare lead the way.
topsail
I was in the darkness, so the darkness I became