It was a voice that cut through the lingering silence of the hidden temple, nestled in the crooks of the Arma Mountains, lost to legends and time, that caused the Warden to pause. In her time within Novus, Israfel had seen many ancient buildings and structures placed throughout the land, but this one held a mystery that she found herself genuinely interested in discovering. It was a puzzle, and she hoped to slot the pieces into place to reveal the bigger image. Perhaps the owner of the voice had arrived before her, maybe after, but honestly, the Sun Daughter did not care. As the sun had begun to set and cast the interior of the temple in shadow, ancient and musty, ivy-covered and blooming flowers accenting the otherwise decrepit state of the place, Israfel allowed the depths of her magic to slowly trickle through her blood. Heat coursed through her veins, pouring, pooling, depthless reservoirs igniting as flames began to flicker to life upon the golden accents of the shield-maiden’s ivory body. It was a mere whisper of its true strength, but right now, in here, there were no reasons for light-show and fireworks. That could wait. Letting the flames she emanated bounce off of the weathered stonework and create a warm lightshow, Israfel rounded a corner to spot two equines. One stallion, one mare. Keen, vibrant vermilion eyes offered them both a cursory look, a single pale brow arching, and then with a confident, casual sashay, the Daughter of the Sun stepped further into the antechamber. When she made to answer, it was sensually and light, her tone airy. “Is? Or was?” The truest of questions, surely, for it looked like the only creatures that found use in this place now were ghosts, listless and wandering. These two strangers smelled of Denocte, carrying its stench on their skin. Immediately Israfel knew caution, and it trembled along her supple flesh like a careful caress. It wasn’t that she disliked Denocte, not really, but… Poor impressions of the prior generation left her with a rather unsavory after taste, and it was not their fault that the previous Regime before the lovely Isra weren’t worth even their weight in horse shit. Gilded wings tipped back to rest comfortably against her sides and Israfel’s jaw tipped upwards, glancing first to the mare. A grullo paint mare with a rather serious expression. Glittering eyes of ruby focused then on the stallion, taking his seal brown accents and dusty golden strokes. What an interesting medley of individuals. ’Isra?’ Solaris’ call echoed mentally within her head, and Israfel twisted her neck to glance back the way she had come. The flicker of flames shone on the aged temple walls, revealing the strange etchings on the pillars as a large, flaming bird entered the temple after her. The Phoenix arrived in a grand display of flames and crimsons, gliding through the air to swoop in low and roost upon Israfel’s croup. Solaris’ eyes, pricks of piercing lavender, quickly surveyed the two equines in their company but otherwise grew silent, her flames beginning to dim. So you caught up, hm? Don’t worry. We just got started. This might be the place we were looking for. The thought passed effortlessly between equine and avian, and then Israfel focused entirely upon the grullo mare and the seal brown stallion once more. She grinned, a rueful, coy expression. “Don’t mind us. We’re just passing through.” And they need not know why. |
@Morrighan, @Erasmus - Sorry for the wait you two!
