There are moments in one's life when the full extent of a thing feels like it's ducked away just beyond reach. That perfect word eludes you right at the crescendo of your moving speech; the solution to that clever puzzle stares you mockingly in the face for years. We as mortals hold many truths to be self-evident, but what are we supposed to do when they aren't? Into what vast oceans must we throw ourselves in search of that last missing piece?
How many roads must a man walk down, if forty-two will not suffice?
These were the clouds gathering about Martin's troubled mind as he grazed and watched a young forest cat prowl the underbrush in search of prey.
Alerted by the deep bellows-hiss of his breath, she glanced up and fixed him with a nonchalant, yellow-eyed stare before taking her leave. He had only just left the vale at this time, still reeling from being so suddenly uprooted, and he found himself envious of the little predator's simple subsistence.
Would that he needed only to find himself a meal, and not a reason for being.
Martin answered the sovereign's call with a soldier's dutifulness and a touch of bystander's curiosity, falling in amongst unfamiliar faces with a sense of pride that his strong jawline and noble bearing exuded more than his heart actually felt. He had no notion of how to meet this small challenge before him, no impression that could be gleaned from this stranger who was, if words could be believed, the illustrious head of the land that had called Martin forth from the wilds. Somehow, the stories of his youth had led him to expect a slightly different image of sovereignty.
The vale had no king, and had needed no king. Its council were simple servants of the people, delegated from amongst the populace and granted security in their position only so long as the public could trust and respect them. The people's loyalty was to the land itself, and so it would be for Martin.
With a glance toward Nimue, the flame-pointed unicorn touched his chin to the glittering gemstone at his chest and followed suit: "I am Martin, a warrior from the west. I wish to serve the Dawn Court."
