[P] like birds the brown leaves hover [fall]

[Amunemhet]

The other courts don’t much interest me, to be honest. Solis’ mercy, forgive my ungraciousness, but there is nowhere else in Novus I would rather be than in His court, the Court of Sun. Outside its walls, outside the desert, I feel like an outsider. I feel as though I am not even from this world.

Perhaps it is because my entire world, my entire life, has been spent within Solterra’s walls, within the Mors’ embrace. Does that make me sheltered? Perhaps, but is that not the nature of a first-born son, heir to an empire? Travels like this one were a necessary evil, but occasionally unavoidable.

Normally, father takes care of contracts with business partners in the other courts, but he has been occupied with the ever persistent problem of ore supplies. Right now, he is dealing with a missing shipment of iron that was supposed to be in the ports two days past. So, it has become my job to meet with our ally and friend in Delumine. A mister Varteres.

I am not expecting the festivities, when I arrive, though they are in full swing. It is a good thing that I go nowhere without my satins, as mother would always insist. I am certainly dressed for the occasion. Besides, I could never meet with an associate of the family business looking like a pauper. Mother would be appalled.

Heret perches upon my croup as I weave expertly through the crowd. A lively, melodic violin grows louder as I come upon a small gathering of equines, all looking upon—with equal measures I ascertain both awe and longing—a lavender hued unicorn. She is dancing.

Her eyes alight upon me, and she sways closer. She is beautiful, there is no denying it certainly. My deep gold eyes watch her with a measure of guarded curiosity. “Light be with you,” I say in greeting, smiling, remembering everything my mother has taught me. Manners, manners, manners. Solis, be with me, I think, as her scent wafts toward my nose.

"Speaking."

---

@Mesnyi

☥