Eulalie had not been outside the court walls since before the fires started. Her heart quivered at what ash the beautiful forest of her home may have become. Pieces of its soul strewn to the wind and across the world. What mysteries and stories might those pieces carry with them? Though she was not prepared to see the destruction, the sunshine woman could not deny the draw of Oriens’ presence, and she was more than curious about these squirrels he had mentioned when he had come to the court and spoken. Though she’d not been present at the time, her son had been eager to tell him of the excitement he’d experienced while he’d been out in the court with his father. Now, however, both children were tucked safely at home where they belonged, away from danger. The fire’s spread seemed to have cased but Eulalie would chance nothing with the twins.
As she walked, a large shadow passed over her figure more than once. Tabbris rode the skies with ease and grace, flying at a distance she knew was meant to give him an eye into the distance but keep him close to her. She had not yet grown used to the ever-present bond of his mind with hers, as it were, though Regis and Anemone had both been more than excited to play with what she can only imagine they thought of as some great beast from a bedtime story. The gryphon had been more than gentle with the twins, despite his towering size, and she was pretty sure he loved the attention even if he didn’t necessarily show it.
She grew closer to the forest with each step, and soon she could see gathered figures there on its edge. Oriens, colored as the dawn sky itself, standing at the head. Then there was Ulric, making his way toward Somnus. Her dark eyes traced the familiar curves and lines of him and the smile that lifted her lips was involuntary. She would never grow tired of the verdant green of his eyes or the gilded sheen of his skin, and in such trying times as these his proximity could only bring her peace. Eulalie made her way to stand next to him, standing close enough that their sides might touch. Tabbris landed a few feet away and settled into a seated position, ever vigilant, and once both Somnus and Ulric finished speaking she turned her gaze on the god before her. “If only there was a way to discover what frightened them, or how they might feel safe. If we can help them, we should.”
