12-15-2018, 08:55 AM
The circles that I draw on Pteron's back grow slower and less rhythmic as I drift off to sleep. He stirs when they are too slow, greedy for affection and not yet truly ready for rest, and I smile drowsily and resume them. This repeats for a half hour until his breathing finally steadies, and I step away from the bed of sweetgrass and clover in which he rests.
Though my son is protected from the brisk summer breeze by the slope of the hill where he rests, the wind tugs at my navy mane when I stand atop it, and it toys with the long golden feathers of my wings. I might have taken flight then, circling the Pampas with Pteron always in sight, but the wind brings with it the taste of someone - no, someones - unfamiliar.
The deep grass and my small height make visually located them difficult and so I take to the sky after all, a brief canter and a leap from the hill on which I stand making me airborne in no time at all. Bright moonlight and the pale coat of one of the strangers makes finding them easy, and I land a few meters away, positioning myself between them and my sleeping son, though he is some distance away.
When I break through the tall grass I recognize of them immediately. Ilma is not a stranger at all, and it takes no time at all to surmise the antlered mare beside her is Kagerus. The pleasant smile I wear never once falters as my blue-grey eyes flick from one to the other before speaking aloud.
"Welcome to the Brilliant Pampas, ladies." I say, making no mention of their evening arrival. While Kagerus is a renowned warrior, Ilma was decidedly diplomatic and I do not suspect them of any notion of violence. They represent a sanctuary, after all, or at least they had a few years ago when they stolen me away from my son and threatened war on my kingdom.
Hyaline had not been the recipient of my very best behavior on that occasion, but while I might acknowledge that privately, I am equally certain that they had gotten exactly what they deserved and nothing more. Still, that is in the past now, and I can only hope that they learned from it and have done better since.
I glance over my shoulder for a moment, scouring the skies and rolling hills for anyone else who might be arriving to greet these visitors, but the wind is against me if they are, and I soon turn back to pair of mares.
"What can I do for you tonight?"
Though my son is protected from the brisk summer breeze by the slope of the hill where he rests, the wind tugs at my navy mane when I stand atop it, and it toys with the long golden feathers of my wings. I might have taken flight then, circling the Pampas with Pteron always in sight, but the wind brings with it the taste of someone - no, someones - unfamiliar.
The deep grass and my small height make visually located them difficult and so I take to the sky after all, a brief canter and a leap from the hill on which I stand making me airborne in no time at all. Bright moonlight and the pale coat of one of the strangers makes finding them easy, and I land a few meters away, positioning myself between them and my sleeping son, though he is some distance away.
When I break through the tall grass I recognize of them immediately. Ilma is not a stranger at all, and it takes no time at all to surmise the antlered mare beside her is Kagerus. The pleasant smile I wear never once falters as my blue-grey eyes flick from one to the other before speaking aloud.
"Welcome to the Brilliant Pampas, ladies." I say, making no mention of their evening arrival. While Kagerus is a renowned warrior, Ilma was decidedly diplomatic and I do not suspect them of any notion of violence. They represent a sanctuary, after all, or at least they had a few years ago when they stolen me away from my son and threatened war on my kingdom.
Hyaline had not been the recipient of my very best behavior on that occasion, but while I might acknowledge that privately, I am equally certain that they had gotten exactly what they deserved and nothing more. Still, that is in the past now, and I can only hope that they learned from it and have done better since.
I glance over my shoulder for a moment, scouring the skies and rolling hills for anyone else who might be arriving to greet these visitors, but the wind is against me if they are, and I soon turn back to pair of mares.
"What can I do for you tonight?"
