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10-28-2013, 05:51 PM
 A call rang through the valley, rousing the attention and stirring the hearts of all its inhabitants. Huyana lifted her dark head from grazing, wisps of grass falling away from the corners of her lips as ears flicked to and fro—it was thoroughly, rendingly, provokingly familiar. Beside her, playing contentedly with an orange butterfly, was Lothíriel, who also paused at the sound; the butterfly flitted away. "It's Papa!" she cried, unsure of its tone; it bore a harshness, a dominance she had never heard uttered from her sire, who always smiled and who she loved dearly. Questioningly, she looked toward her mother, whose face was both serene and troubled. "Come, Stormborn," Huyana said softly though trouble stirred in her heart. She nudged her daughter tenderly, breathing in the sweet, milky scent of her baby fur; "let's see what your father has to say." With that, the roan turned towards the direction of the call, as fluid and graceful as her element, a hundred different possibilities passing tumultuously through her mind. Unrest brewing within her chest, and she wondered if it was foreboding. Was their peace broken? Would they descend once more into war? Huyana could no longer leave during times of trouble as she was used to—now she had a home, a child, and she would no longer forgive herself for abandoning all that she held dear. Huyana moved briskly toward his summon while the girl romped before her, flowers dotting her wake. The mare was careful not to step on them, knowing how precious every petal was to her daughter. It did not take much travel until he came into view, standing proudly before all the Basin with somberness and majesty; as handsome and solemn as an effigy of Hermes leading souls to the underworld. "Papa!" Lothíriel cried once more, flicking her lion's tail excitedly as she prepared a mad dash toward the dark form of her sire, but Huyana passed her lips over the child's rump, seriousness on her face. "You must stay by my side," she said gently, "you will see him afterward." And Lothíriel, though hopelessly delighted to see her father, settled beside her mother quietly, sensing the gravity of the rainmare's voice. Many unicorns, both familiar and strange, streamed toward the Reaper like curious fish from the Basin's depths and crags, all questioning the purpose of the General's summons. Unease caused Huyana to bring her daughter close, slinging her neck around the small, warm body and hugging her tightly. Reunions like this never boded well; she remembered, as if from another life, the gathering the Red Dragon had called, exiling an innocent mare for the differences he had claimed to embrace. So many voices had cried out that day against Sarai, and Huyana remembered the tumult with anger. I am Deimos, your Lord, the Reaper said, once many bodies crowded the area around him, the gilded lady Illynx standing steadfastly by his side. A thrill of both foreboding and exult sent quivers down her spine, but she did not doubt his aptitude or strength or skill for a moment. It did not surprise Huyana that the DarkEmpress had departed her rank, and it made her glad to know their prisoners had been released. Soon after Deimos finished imparting his knowledge, the GildedBlade was quick to offer her own words, open anger and surprise betrayed across her features. She spoke scornfully, words leaking like poison into the cool alpine air. Dark ears were cast back as unease grew into acrimony; Huyana prided herself in being detached from such emotional frivolities, but the obvious slight and mistrust of Deimos riled her; though this was not her fight, Huyana felt the birth of words at the back of her tongue. "Why is there uncertainty as to the legitimacy of his claim?" she queried, voice rising high above the ringing of murmurs, though they were not spoken with force or volume. "Has he not been loyal? Has he not led your armies faithfully?" Her head tilted, blue eyes intent on the Lady; they did not betray anger, but instead ascetic speculation. Her tail flicked once; she could not stand for capricious leaders—the shadow of the Red Dragon hung nigh, like the ghost of a damned lover; she would not see someone so prone to the fancies of their desires lead a people. Illynx's following words startled the mare even more—she was Haruspex? Surprise widened her blue eyes, and she could do naught more than bow her head gratefully at the Lady, feeling the mass in her throat dissolve in favor of something else—purpose. "Thank you," she said quietly. "It is an honor." Huyana wondered what this new chapter in her life would bring her, and with a thrill of exhilaration she hugged her child close and whispered, "there are many adventures to come, Stormborn." huyana & lothíriel
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