Although it had been but a day since Beqanna had cracked in half, it felt like a lifetime. Magnus could feel the very weight of it pressing down onto his shoulders—the loss and confusion and hurt surrounding them. It came in waves. In some seconds, it was all-encompassing, as suffocating as smoke. In others, it was a light that pierced through the heavens, scattering constellations to make his purpose crystal clear.
Now was one of those moments. As they arrived, one after the other, he felt his heart pound. He had to do something to help them. He had to help forge their way to a new home; fight for it if necessary.
The first to come, after his granddaughter, is Sahm, with another male wrapped intimately by his side. “Sahm!” Magnus proclaimed, although he didn’t leave Longear. “I am so glad to know that you are safe.” It had been months since they had fought for the Gates together, equal partners in their desire to see her rise again, willing to bear the yoke together. But then their world had imploded and Magnus had left in a blind rage. He regret not having more time to hunt down Sahm and ensure his well-being. “I am sorry that I left so quickly,” he added, his voice quiet, full of remorse. “I should have stayed to check on you.”
He didn’t, however, want the reunion to be one rooted in sadness, so he did his best to perk up, swinging his head toward the other stallion who had been quiet so far. “Hello, there!” his smile was crooked. “My name is Magnus,” a useless pleasantry he felt compelled to follow anyway. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
His attention was diverted when the mare approached the group, and he look quizzically at her before understanding struck him. He had never known Jason, but Sahm had spoken highly of him. Magnus had to wonder if Sahm bore the resemblance of his father. For a second, he contemplated correcting her before he thought better of it; he would leave that to Sahm’s judgement. Instead, he just gave a kind smile. “Hello to you,” he cocked a back leg. “My name is Magnus.” A greeting he seemed to say often the last few days.
As Camelia joined the group, coming up along his other side, concern etched firmly onto his features. “Camelia!” his voice was laced with worry as he noted her limp, the blood caking on her leg. “Are you okay?” He wished there were the Falls to take her for her to wash her wounds or healers who could work their magic on her, but there was no such magic at their disposal anymore. Just time and pain. He extended his neck to bump his nose against hers and offered his side to her for support. His face fell at her question, scarred mouth pulling into a frown. “I am so sorry.” He swallowed hard. “The Gates—it, it is gone, Camelia. Beqanna took it back.” It still felt like a knife in his chest to admit it. “I am so sorry.”
When Longear spoke again, Magnus twisted his head to his other side, flanked by the two women. “Fang?” he questioned, face puzzled before understanding dawned on it. “Fang. Wait—that means that you’re Fiero’s daughter?” His eyes light with hope, and then worry for his dark-eyed son. The one who carried the world on his shoulders; the one who had lived more years than he. “I haven’t seen them. I don’t know.” He glanced around, fear clawing at his chest. “But we’ll find them. Of course we will.”
He did not move from between Longear and Camelia, but he glanced up, gold-flecked eyes smoldering and fierce as he considered all of them, moving from face to face. “I think we need to find a home,” he started cautiously, and then firmly, the words taking root. “And I think I know how we can do it.”
magnus
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