Somnus  ’His Majesty has want of you,’ the page had stated, unable to maintain eye contact, ’Down, in the courtyard.’ A frown had pulled at Somnus’ dark lips, troubled and tense, but he had dutifully replaced the book that he had been scouring since the late-night hours. Young Alba, still too small yet to fly, roosted upon his shoulders between the downy juncture of his wings, as was her typical place. The barn owl’s eerie black eyes stared quizzically at the page, and Somnus could feel her confusion leak into a strange place within his breast. Since finding the nestling amidst the horrid blizzard, Somnus had been alarmed to discover that he could feel her own emotions; joy, satisfaction, indignation, irritation, even her hunger or thirst. It was strange, and the Regent had often found himself in the library searching for answers as to how such a thing came to be. Now, however, his research was halted in favor of not allowing his king to wait. Together both tactician and owl left the library, taking to the halls at a brisk pace. He nodded to those who he passed, both familiar and unfamiliar, but did not linger upon any morning greetings. Sharp emerald eyes could see the rays of sunlight peering through the windows, and he had a brief moment of surprise that he had trapped himself away in the library for nearly an entire night before he was breaching the citadel doors and stepping into the courtyard. The morning air was bitingly cool, even if spring had begun to chase away the snow and the frost, but it was nothing compared to the harsh freeze of this last winter. The Regent glanced around, mindful and quiet, trying to spot the rich bay form of his sovereign. It was the sound of precious metal falling upon rough mortar that first caught Somnus’ attention, landing with a surprisingly emotional ’tink!’. His gaze snapped to the side and spotted Kasil further on, standing amidst the receding shadows as the sun slowly crested the horizon. A statue amidst the dawn, draped in shadow and light, he was a sight to behold. At the sovereign’s hooves lay a golden trinket, glinting in just the right light, and with a frown, Somnus began to approach. He recognized the item the closer he drew; the diadem that Kasil wore upon his brow. Unbidden, the tactician’s concern only grew. The dunalino’s lips parted, brows furrowing as he made to beckon to his King. ’Majesty’ clung to his tongue, poised and prepared and ready, but he withheld the title at the last second. Something about the Dawn King’s posture, something about the grief and emotion that clung to him like a burdensome veil gave Somnus belief that Kasil did not need the company of his Regent at that time, but of a friend. “… Kasil?” He called at last with a concerned lilt, letting his hooves slowly guide him to the bay stallion’s side. Alba was a silent spectator upon his shoulders, blinking slowly, curiously. “You sent for me?” |
@Kasil <3 <3 <3 <3
