G A R E T H
The mare was quiet and thoughtful in her responses to Gareth’s questions. He listened to her with a gentle nod here and there. She mentioned a land that was foreign to his audits. He made a note to perhaps ask her about it if the topic came about again. He got a sense that her history is perhaps not a pleasant one, and she may not be open to sharing so much with a strange man. At the very least, her sloth companion probably would not take terribly kindly to her being probed for such delicate information. The stallion was left with the impression that perhaps he was similar to Noor, and that he protected and guided Luvena and provided her excellent company. He tried to keep his gaze steady on the frail mare, but his amber orbs would drift back to the sloth and he would be met with a fierce look from the creature each time.
She had noted that she spent time within the hospitals of Terrastella, and that perked his interest. The brute had been correct in his assumption that she must have had some kind of medical training. And if she was someone who was familiar with the teachings of the dusk court medics, she might have much to share with him. He tucked the information away and mulled over how and when he might ask after a lesson. He knew that some of the other court denizens could be very careful with what information they would share, particularly when it came to those in the night court. He wasn’t sure if Luvena, having traveled to make her home here would have those same ingrained responses, but it was better to wait and earn her trust, first. After all, that was the best way. He would rather have her friendship, if it were possible, and friendships often started with trust.
Gareth tilted his head as she spoke of perhaps leaving the mountains she had decided to call her temporary home. “Are you looking to move elsewhere within Novus, or are you going to continue traveling?” He eyed her carefully as she moved to her feet, spindly legs wobbling with the effort. He did not immediately move to her side to help, only because he had started to gather that Luvena had a vein of pride that ran deep in her. She was self sufficient, and if she genuinely needed the help, she may ask for it. Still, he kept his eye on her, just in case her respiratory distress became too much and he needed to step in. Even if it meant brushing up close with her watchful sloth companion.
Noor glanced at Gareth, waiting for the small group to begin moving before also rising. It was best to keep the amount of moving limbs to a minimum until they could organize themselves a bit more. The pups seemed to want to weave between them, as pups are prone to do, as curious little creatures aught. He impressed a thought to the stallion as he fell to the back to follow closely behind the small caravan.
“It’s good that she’s coming with us, Gareth. I’m not sure where she’s intending to go, but this heat is clearly detrimental to her health. Perhaps you can convince her to stay longer and we can find a way to help her.” He looked over her boney frame with a critical eye. “I just wouldn’t feel right letting her walk away to potentially lay down and die.”
The stallion drew himself up tall and cast a dark look over his shoulder to the elk. He had similar concerns, but he did not want to voice them. Something told him that Luvena was better than that, and she wouldn’t have appreciated Noor’s lack of hope for her. She may have been worn down, but Gareth believed that the mare was anything but a damsel in distress. He turned his gaze back to her and offered a softer, kinder smile.
“We can stop along the way as much as we need to, Luvena, so I’ll let you set the pace and just be the map, so to speak.” He chuckled and started moving forwards, towards home, careful to make sure that they traveled as much in the shade as possible so as not to stress the mare any further.
