Ruan
It was not beyond some other kingdoms to send a child to gather intelligence. But was this golden creature truly a child? He supposed not. She looked old enough to breed, maybe. That would determine womanhood, wouldn't it? Was he barbaric to think that way..
Perhaps, also, she was not here with malicious intent. But he had to be certain, of course. He had to be wary.
Her startled scream pierced his heart, and her innocent panic was nearly his undoing. She tried to back out of her prison but only found more ice blocking her escape. He felt guilty for causing her distress. It was for the good of the kingdom, he assured himself. Surely she would understand. So he ignored the urge to drop the barrier confining her. Her only way out was straight into him as he stood not far from the opening.
He listened close as she spoke, claiming her interest in seeing a new place, maybe even finding somewhere to live. She held herself stiff but steady, not one for quivering in fear. Gold light seemed to flare and shimmer across her each time she moved, and he couldn't help but to watch it dance along her skin. She was a brilliant sun in his world of white, reflecting warm color onto his ice walls. So innocent.
Wasn't she?
Ruan swept the walls from her side open to rest inline with the one behind her, allowing her freedom to move save for escaping across the border. He felt out of place here with her, like he didn't belong. His brow furrowed uncertainly at the thought. He shrugged it off though, and slowly stepped aside, holding her gaze.
He preferred being on the outskirts of the valley, along the border, hoping one day Morigan would come in search of him. She had raised him when his mother grew ill-suited for it, and it had been so very long since he'd seen her. It was the only reason he'd returned to the valley; a familiar place where she may seek him. The constant worry for her shadowed his face, and dimmed his emotions. He would rather stay here on the border..
But he couldn't just allow a stranger free reign in the kingdom, no matter those honest eyes of hers.
"I must escort you if you wish to go further," he stated quietly.
He continued to hold strong the wall behind her, until he had a better idea of who she was and what she wanted. He was cautious to believe her words so quickly. But would he really keep her from leaving? He didn't think so. Who knows, perhaps she would enjoy the valley despite his defensive actions. The others were probably far kinder than he had been. He used to be so friendly..
Perhaps, also, she was not here with malicious intent. But he had to be certain, of course. He had to be wary.
Her startled scream pierced his heart, and her innocent panic was nearly his undoing. She tried to back out of her prison but only found more ice blocking her escape. He felt guilty for causing her distress. It was for the good of the kingdom, he assured himself. Surely she would understand. So he ignored the urge to drop the barrier confining her. Her only way out was straight into him as he stood not far from the opening.
He listened close as she spoke, claiming her interest in seeing a new place, maybe even finding somewhere to live. She held herself stiff but steady, not one for quivering in fear. Gold light seemed to flare and shimmer across her each time she moved, and he couldn't help but to watch it dance along her skin. She was a brilliant sun in his world of white, reflecting warm color onto his ice walls. So innocent.
Wasn't she?
Ruan swept the walls from her side open to rest inline with the one behind her, allowing her freedom to move save for escaping across the border. He felt out of place here with her, like he didn't belong. His brow furrowed uncertainly at the thought. He shrugged it off though, and slowly stepped aside, holding her gaze.
He preferred being on the outskirts of the valley, along the border, hoping one day Morigan would come in search of him. She had raised him when his mother grew ill-suited for it, and it had been so very long since he'd seen her. It was the only reason he'd returned to the valley; a familiar place where she may seek him. The constant worry for her shadowed his face, and dimmed his emotions. He would rather stay here on the border..
But he couldn't just allow a stranger free reign in the kingdom, no matter those honest eyes of hers.
"I must escort you if you wish to go further," he stated quietly.
He continued to hold strong the wall behind her, until he had a better idea of who she was and what she wanted. He was cautious to believe her words so quickly. But would he really keep her from leaving? He didn't think so. Who knows, perhaps she would enjoy the valley despite his defensive actions. The others were probably far kinder than he had been. He used to be so friendly..
