Q U I L L In thinking of her sect, in reminding herself that she had to be smart enough to see the path that Solis laid out for her, it was not lost on Quill that not all of the young had returned from their coming of age trial. Most- almost all of them- had, but a few had never come home. The speakers and the elders had explained the few losses with practiced, tempered sorrow. It was simple- those who did not return had displeased Solis. They had not been strong enough in their faith, they had not seen the gifts the mighty god had gifted them, or they had simply strayed too far from his path. For a few minutes Quill also had to wonder, had she already missed his gift? Was she going to be one of the ones destined to never return? For only a second, she believed it was true. Then, he arrived. He alarmed her at first. She had expected Solis’ salvation to be something more subtle, something she would have to be clever to find. Her eyes widened, brow lifting, and she halted suddenly. The little dust she kicked up really couldn't have made her much grimier anyways. If she had any doubt that he was her sign from Solis, she had only to look at his shoulder. The sun stamped there, gold against his mottled brown hide, was so obvious… “Praise be to Solis, you are my savior,” she murmured in first response to the stallion's words. Taking a moment then to really clear her head of distractions, Quill looked the pegasus over. Wings… she had seen them once or twice in her day. Not often, mostly traders. They were not thought of as particularly sinful, the genetics simply didn't run in her herd. They were rather flashy, though. As for the ferret-dragon… that was something that was entirely new to her. Many of her herd mates had been gifted with companions, but all of them ordinary creatures. Like magic, mythical creatures were considered to be a gateway to greed and power-lust. Was this a test, then? Was there something here she was missing? “I'm very lost, I'm afraid. You couldn't have found me at a more opportune moment.” Her voice was soft from exhaustion, but there was still plenty of kindness in her words. “Would you be able to guide me to water? It's only been hours but I feel like I haven't had a drink for days.” Almost as an afterthought, she decided to comment on his marking. She still wasn't sure what to make of his companion and so on that point she remained silent. “Solis has blessed you,” she said with a nod towards his shoulder. “I hope someday I can be so lucky. May I ask…?” She trailed off, addled brain struggling to decide if she was being too intrusive, the finest traces of a smile lifting at the corners of her mouth. |
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