"Against the odds, against the grain we lean, like gardens toward light.
We reach with all of our might for such a noble aim as love."
We reach with all of our might for such a noble aim as love."
The world was a quiet thing that day, as gentle and soft as the face of her sleeping son. It was a healing thing, working slowly but persistently every day to get better in any way that it could. Through the caring, helpful actions of others and the drawing together of their hearts to remain strong. It would take time, all things took time, but in time they would start to notice the little rays of sunshine poking through the clouds. They would breathe easier and stop looking to the horizon waiting for flames and smoke to swallow them. In time, nurtured and coaxed, their smiles, their laughter, the lights in their eyes would all return.
What Eulalie worried for now, however, was Regis. While the world, while the court healed, he ailed. The smoke had not done him any favors, no matter how hard they had tried to keep him out of it, all the tireless hours entertaining him from within the castle walls to keep him from missing the outside world. For all they had done, still he suffered, grew worse with each passing day. Her heart ached, cried, for every coughing fit he had or every time she touched him and his skin was fever warm. She was with him as constantly as she could be, refusing to ever leave his side if she could help it. What if she turned her back and he needed her?
Eulalie watched as Somnus pressed a kiss to their son’s forehead, and his gentleness, his affection, filled her with warmth. Regis was asleep for now, and at least in sleep he appeared to get some peace. She turned her head and touched her muzzle against Somnus’ cheek as he pressed his against her neck, taking some comfort in the feeling of his skin. Then she leaned down toward Regis and did the same, carefully brushing her nose across his cheek. “Sleep well, my love,” she whispered, before stepping back and joining Somnus as they left their rooms. Alba stayed, an ever present vigil over Regis, though Tabbris followed along behind them.
In the hallway they were confronted by a page who told them that, at long last, the help they had sent away for from Terrastella had arrived. Eulalie’s heart beat a little quicker as she hoped, dearly hoped, that their Champion would be able to help, for if Novus’ prized healers, famed for their hospital in the trees, could do nothing for their son, what hope did they have? The golden haired woman refused to think such things, however. There would always be hope, the sun would always rise on a new day. There was always a chance.
They headed for the courtyard immediately and it was not difficult to spot them, a triad of pegasi—one carrying what appeared to be supplies—standing together. Already there was a smile on her face, for only seeing them gave her the bit of strength that she needed. They were her ray of sunshine poking through dark clouds. Eulalie thought she recognized one of them, the woman of alabaster and gold, from the festival that had been held in Delumine’s Viride Forest once upon a time. The warrior believed she had seen her in passing, speaking with a certain golden eyed man she knew well. The other two, however, were unfamiliar to her.
She was prepared to introduce herself when Somnus pulled up short and Eulalie stopped, her brow drawn together in confusion. “Somnus? What’s wrong?” Her earth brown eyes looked into his, and what she saw there tightened her chest. There was no welcome, no joy, in his expression. “Dear…?” She felt equal parts concern and confusion. She had no idea what was eliciting this reaction from him, and her gaze flickered back over the party traveling from Terrastella, not knowing what to do. Feeding off her apprehension, Tabbris slowly shifted from a calm companion to an alert guardian. The crest on his head began to rise, his feathered chest puffing up slightly as he slowly clicked his beak a few times, drawing closer to the group. If he were not already a large beast, this would only serve to make him appear bigger.
Then Somnus spoke, and the sound of it sent a chill down her spine. She had never heard him speak in such a way, and when he stepped closer to her as though to protect her from something… or someone she really knew that all was not right. “I don’t understand. Somnus, who is he?” Clearly Somnus knew the red hued man who hailed from the Dusk Court to offer his services, but why was his reaction so volatile? She looked to the stranger, trying to work out what was happening. “I’m sorry, you’ve come such a long way to help us, I’m not sure…” and truly she was not sure. She could have no idea the history between them.
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