she was powerful not because she wasn't scared,
but because she went on strongly despite her fear.
but because she went on strongly despite her fear.
Hospitality had become a rarity - replaced by terror, malice, and darkness. Dawn Court was not wholly guiltless of this offense (a point proved by the additional guards on patrol and the whispers of thickening the border) but would never say no to guests. Deluminians were not afraid, not to the extent most would expect of them. It was true, they were not recognized for their prowess on the battlefield like Solterrans were, but they had endured this long for a reason. It wasn't martial force that kept Delumine intact, but rather the Dawn Court had persevered because it sought those of lion-heart, scorning those who whimpered at the slightest personal hurt whilst ignoring the catastrophic wounds of others. Delumine had insufficient area for those who would burn the world to save themselves; there was no home here for those who cared not for others. This is why hospitality has existed here more than in other cracks of the world - why Delumine is quick to gain allies and friends. "Loyalty and kindness shall eternally be returned with mercy and accommodation where the grand sun rises, m'lady." Life was nothing but a powerful echo: what you put out, comes back. Though the child knew little of politics, she knew allies were important - and perhaps Fia could be one far more valuable than Maerys recognized.
You certainly have a warrior’s soul.
A warrior's soul - complex in theory, conceivably less so in actuality. Fear would soon come as splintering waves to Novus, beasts constructed by the blow furiously lashing the surface of the water. It would not be the heat of a tropical summer, but rather a wintry grave. It would come as a chill that went deep within the core of every soul here, snarling rabidly should they cower from it. Those with a warrior's soul would learn how to swim in the ice and live in the brine with only their bravery as a furnace - others would drown with their half-lived lives. Fia's words brought a kind smile to the girl's velvet lips, though she answered with no verbal reply. She only silently prayed that she truly did have a warrior's soul like the grey mare thought she did.
When asked if an apprentice, Maerys had only one response. "Nay," she countered soundly. "A fusty declaration, but true anon... ask and thou shalt receive." Maerys had directly verbalized her hope to train as a soldier and no questions were asked. If there had been an age limit to the training, she would've feigned to be older or practiced elsewhere. If she could foal a child and raise it off her own teat, who is to stop her from combat training?
No king could.
~~
Their small talk proceeds, pleasantries and all, until they reached the splendid walls of Dawn Court's core. The structures were covered in a thick coating of white, wintertime unavoidable even here. Tips of roofs and spires crested out from below their white caps and on the ground laid trails of hoofsteps crisscrossing each other around the labyrinth of paths. "The sovereign is just ahead." Maerys turned to Fia, her eyes falling on the mare for the last time. This was goodbye for now as the pale-skinned child must return to her duties and continue patrolling the land. She has led her to the main entrance and should Fia simply slip inside, she could find another to take her directly to the king. "I pray thou art able to conduct thy business with ease and efficiency," she offered easily. "Until next time, Solterran comrade."
With that, the silver-haired child thought on monsters and combat as she turned to face the snow and disappeared into the distance.
You certainly have a warrior’s soul.
A warrior's soul - complex in theory, conceivably less so in actuality. Fear would soon come as splintering waves to Novus, beasts constructed by the blow furiously lashing the surface of the water. It would not be the heat of a tropical summer, but rather a wintry grave. It would come as a chill that went deep within the core of every soul here, snarling rabidly should they cower from it. Those with a warrior's soul would learn how to swim in the ice and live in the brine with only their bravery as a furnace - others would drown with their half-lived lives. Fia's words brought a kind smile to the girl's velvet lips, though she answered with no verbal reply. She only silently prayed that she truly did have a warrior's soul like the grey mare thought she did.
When asked if an apprentice, Maerys had only one response. "Nay," she countered soundly. "A fusty declaration, but true anon... ask and thou shalt receive." Maerys had directly verbalized her hope to train as a soldier and no questions were asked. If there had been an age limit to the training, she would've feigned to be older or practiced elsewhere. If she could foal a child and raise it off her own teat, who is to stop her from combat training?
No king could.
~~
Their small talk proceeds, pleasantries and all, until they reached the splendid walls of Dawn Court's core. The structures were covered in a thick coating of white, wintertime unavoidable even here. Tips of roofs and spires crested out from below their white caps and on the ground laid trails of hoofsteps crisscrossing each other around the labyrinth of paths. "The sovereign is just ahead." Maerys turned to Fia, her eyes falling on the mare for the last time. This was goodbye for now as the pale-skinned child must return to her duties and continue patrolling the land. She has led her to the main entrance and should Fia simply slip inside, she could find another to take her directly to the king. "I pray thou art able to conduct thy business with ease and efficiency," she offered easily. "Until next time, Solterran comrade."
With that, the silver-haired child thought on monsters and combat as she turned to face the snow and disappeared into the distance.
M A E R Y S
