"Oh, but my tongue is a weapon."
Alba spotted the newcomer before Somnus was even aware of his presence.
The barn owl froze from her perch atop the courtyard wall amidst ivy like garland, caught in the midst of a good grooming session. One mottled wing lowered, peering perfectly through the evening light with beady black eyes as she regarded the creature of ebony and crimson that stalked through the courtyard. The multitude of horns upon his brow and down the crest of his neck were worrisome. Concern fluttered in the barn owl’s pale, spotted breast; who was this man? Why had the guards not stopped him? Where was Ulric and their sentries?
Loping along the stone wall to get a closer look, Alba’s feathers ruffled and puffed out as she spread her wings in an attempt to make herself seem much larger than she was, before a loud, piercing shriek escaped her beak and shot through the evening air like a war cry. With her cry of warning, she mentally reached out for her bonded, grasping and groping for Delumine’s golden Sovereign.
’A newcomer approaches the Citadel.’ It was all she said. Somnus would understand.
And understand he did, for the Dawn King arrived only moments later from the other end of the courtyard. He had been in a friendly debate with Ulric before leaving the Warden to his task, and was on his way back to the citadel proper when Alba’s warning call and beckons had reached him. Leisurely Somnus approached, all dusty gold and shining ivory as he wove his way upon cobblestone and traipsed through the beautiful bushes of Ipomoea’s flower hedges.
The evening light basked the Court in different colors, the sky gradually darkening, and as he slipped through the shadows, the Dawn King regarded the stranger with a fond, welcoming smile. A look of knowing, of understanding seemed to glow within the dunalino’s sharp verdant eyes, but it did not take away from Somnus’ welcoming atmosphere.
“Welcome to Delumine, friend,” he stated cordially, taking note of the man who had waltzed into their home. It did not appear as though he was looking for trouble, and that alone set Somnus’ heart at ease. The male, broad and taller than the Dawn King himself, sported a proud mantle of sharpened horns that could easily prove fatal if one were on the receiving end of them. His dark colors seemed to blend into the growing shadows of the approaching night, and keen emerald met pale eyes. “My name is Somnus; Sovereign of this Court. May I assist you?”
If a King was not prepared to greet the people who entered his land, then what good was he? He was over the past fears and insecurities that had once plagued him. Now, Somnus knew what he wanted in his land, and would stop at nothing until Delumine was as abundant and prosperous as he knew it could be.
From her perch atop the wall, Alba beat her wings and took off, gliding through the air to take roost upon Somnus’ golden croup. Her eyes, beady and knowing, regarded the young male who had arrived with notable caution. Somnus only chuckled, a deep, breathy sound as his dark lips remained upright in that warm, almost lazy grin.“… And this is Alba. Apologies, if she startled you.”
tag: @Jericho
The barn owl froze from her perch atop the courtyard wall amidst ivy like garland, caught in the midst of a good grooming session. One mottled wing lowered, peering perfectly through the evening light with beady black eyes as she regarded the creature of ebony and crimson that stalked through the courtyard. The multitude of horns upon his brow and down the crest of his neck were worrisome. Concern fluttered in the barn owl’s pale, spotted breast; who was this man? Why had the guards not stopped him? Where was Ulric and their sentries?
Loping along the stone wall to get a closer look, Alba’s feathers ruffled and puffed out as she spread her wings in an attempt to make herself seem much larger than she was, before a loud, piercing shriek escaped her beak and shot through the evening air like a war cry. With her cry of warning, she mentally reached out for her bonded, grasping and groping for Delumine’s golden Sovereign.
’A newcomer approaches the Citadel.’ It was all she said. Somnus would understand.
And understand he did, for the Dawn King arrived only moments later from the other end of the courtyard. He had been in a friendly debate with Ulric before leaving the Warden to his task, and was on his way back to the citadel proper when Alba’s warning call and beckons had reached him. Leisurely Somnus approached, all dusty gold and shining ivory as he wove his way upon cobblestone and traipsed through the beautiful bushes of Ipomoea’s flower hedges.
The evening light basked the Court in different colors, the sky gradually darkening, and as he slipped through the shadows, the Dawn King regarded the stranger with a fond, welcoming smile. A look of knowing, of understanding seemed to glow within the dunalino’s sharp verdant eyes, but it did not take away from Somnus’ welcoming atmosphere.
If a King was not prepared to greet the people who entered his land, then what good was he? He was over the past fears and insecurities that had once plagued him. Now, Somnus knew what he wanted in his land, and would stop at nothing until Delumine was as abundant and prosperous as he knew it could be.
From her perch atop the wall, Alba beat her wings and took off, gliding through the air to take roost upon Somnus’ golden croup. Her eyes, beady and knowing, regarded the young male who had arrived with notable caution. Somnus only chuckled, a deep, breathy sound as his dark lips remained upright in that warm, almost lazy grin.
Sorry you had to wait on this! I was hoping to reply sooner! <3
