KASIL
The water was cool against his throat, a compliment to the fair weather that the spring had brought to them. It was easy to say that the spring was his favorite season, comparable to the dawn that the court was called after. It was a fresh start in nature, the withered remains of winter giving way to the beauty of fresh greenery -- like a new dawn breaking through the hard embrace of night. Spring also meant an end to the season of fasting and prayer, one that had ended with his ascension to the duties of Sovereign; much to his mother’s delight. It was of no doubt that his rise to power would have been a source of pride for his grandsire as well, although the elder had never held a lust for it. Kasil would have been just as complacent as his grandsire, happy to serve in the Emissary capacity just as many in his family had done so before him -- but it seemed that Oriens had other ideas for his confused and anxiety-ridden servant.
The stallion lingered along the river’s edge, an entourage of guardians and advisors taking a reprieve from the lengthy discussion that they had been having. It seemed that others were just as concerned about his rule as he was; and there were many seats and positions left unfilled after such a tumultuous season. He would have to gather his people, and soon, in order to bring them to heel -- to dispel any fears or worries they had. It was laughable, he thought, expected to quell the fears and uneasiness of his fellow equine while he himself was beside himself with terror. One flick of his ear and he could end the livelihood of another. The power was not something he would have wanted. But he found himself unable to abdicate it. He was the third to take the seat, following the lines and laws of succession. It was duty that kept his ass firmly to the seat.
The Rapax River was a deceptive thing, particularly when it came to sections of it like this. Beneath the seemingly placid surface was something moving so swift that it would drag a grown horse off of his feet and down further where rocks waited to crush bone. A tricky, tempting mistress -- especially in the heat of summer. Kasil lifted his head from the water’s edge, stray drops of the life giving liquid rolling down his chin and staining his rich, dark pelt. He knew all too well how easy it was to be caught in such a trap, had felt the water's wrath more than once in his youth and had been lucky enough to escape her snare without too much harm. It was his thoughts that drew him away from the edge, a mindless habit to wander while he sifted through thoughts and memories. The grass gave way to rock and sand in spaces, before melding back into wavering, dancing blades of green once more. Some of the blades tickled his soft underbelly, while others threatened to snare his limbs.
Kasil drew a pause when it registered to him that he had wandered away, though by the time he looked around himself to assess just how far he had gone -- his party was well out of sight. And he was not alone here, either. At first, he mistook the boy for a mare -- his features delicate and child-like; asleep near the river's edge in a bed of the soft grass. Glancing around himself, Kasil eventually decided on an approach, not wishing to startle the stranger -- but unsure of how to go about it. Sneaking up on them would surely give a fright, and a yell from this distance would have the same effect. Forgoing silence, Kasil made it a point to rustle the grasses around him; using nature to act as a warning for his approach. He gave a great snort and a sigh, shaking his head just enough to loosen the knots in his hair that he used to keep it out of his way -- before opening his mouth.
"Hello there!" He said, his tone bright and friendly. No sense in being unkind, especially when this youngster did not seem at all familiar to him -- and he had lived in this court his entire life. It was easy to know most, especially given his more...prestigious upbringing. The bay stag kept his great wings tucked in tight against the barrel of his body, standing just a few feet from where the boy was dozing. He had positioned himself strategically, keeping the pale boy between himself and the river. He could go to the right or the left, but with the river at his back and Kasil before him -- it kept his options for flight limited. Kasil wanted a chance to talk, before anyone did any running. "The riverside is not the best place to rest, I'm afraid." He said kindly, nodding in the direction of the babbling waters. "Which...you would know if you were of my court, young friend. I am Kasil. And just who...might you be?"
@Pan
coding by Avis
