KAJ

Icicles clung to the sturdy branches of the Edge trees, prisms of particles frozen in time and space as they reflected the weak light of the winter world. Occasionally, when the air deemed to warm itself in a pitiful apology for the marrow-deep shivers that cursed most of the inhabitants, the melodic (if eerie) drip of the water as it slid down the length of the frozen daggers. Pale blues, echoing the colors of the subjects that had so captured his attention, could not rip away from the riveting sound of the droplets. A sigh ripped free of frozen whiskers on a scruffy face, gaze dancing away from the artistic structures. Pawing idly at the hard, solid earth, the King snorted. Clouds enveloped his face on the cold winter breeze, mockingly warm with his body heat as it drifted past his cheeks to disappear. With the change of seasons, so had their family changed, and they could no longer ignore their duties. Glancing over at Kahlua, he smiled softly at her, preparing himself to face their flock. Darkness had begun its spread through Helovia once more, and he dreaded to tell his peace-loving family that they would have to take up arms once more. Especially against a foe he could not detail for them.

It seemed the faceless monster in the night truly was to be feared.

Mighty crown tilted back, majestic shoulders flexing to prepare his lungs for the call that needed to spread throughout the entirety of the herdlands. It caused a far stronger mist, he noted with a vague tinge of amusement, sides swelling with each breath as he regained what he'd lost calling his flock to their shepherds. Not that they needed Kahlua and Kaj to lead them at all. They were all entirely able-bodied, and Kaj had seen them grow and strengthen season after season. Suddenly, his fears of their reactions quieted. They could handle this mystery foe together, he need not doubt them when the evidence was plainly written into his own memory.

Waiting for them to gather was pleasantly longer. Kaj did not mind having to exercise his patience. It meant they were growing, expanding. It was testament to all the work he and Kahlua had put forth into the herd, and how their appointed members had risen beautifully to the challenge they had both presented. Finally he cleared his throat, ceasing the murmurs of greetings and friendly conversation as they too awaited for all their kin to arrive.

"Brothers and sisters, another season has begun. We have grown in numbers and in strength. The winter moons are ahead of us, but Evangeline has proposed the use of bonfires to keep us warm through them. Those with magic and companions capable of sparking these, I urge you to speak with Evangeline. We do not want any illness this season, if we can at all prevent it." Eyes warm with compassion, he swept his gaze across the faces gathered before him. No, he certainly didn't want any of them to fall sick, especially with the cold whip of winter far stronger than previous years.

"Our travels to the herds have been successful. The Aurora Basin and the World's Edge are on peaceful, albeit neutral ground. The Falls have been undergoing a change in leadership and groups, we are currently pending our political relationship with them. The Dragon's Throat has agreed to peaceful negotiations and trades, and we are pending an official alliance in the future." Hoping that there would be no objections to the Basin news was perhaps too much, but Kaj could not help but succumb either way. Forgiveness was not in his blood, Evangeline had showed him as much, but the war-ridden part of his brain simply could not feud with such a large military herd. Befriending them was far more profitable, regardless of what his socially-minded peers often thought of his tactics.

"The Goddess has granted us three prizes, awarding them to those who have consistently aided this family and herd. Kahlua, your prize awaits you near the garden. Evangeline, for you I have an amulet, crafted from Her magic to protect you." He sought out Evangeline's beautiful bright eyes, smile coming unbidden to his lips. Stepping towards the quiet lass, he shook his neck gently to loosen the amulet from his own shoulders, grasping it in his lips before depositing it over her crown as carefully as he could manage. Subtly brushing his lips against her marked shoulder before turning and reclaiming his position beside his Queen. "Jahzara, our Goddess gives you a mark of your choosing, to light your way with the glow of her colors and signify you have done a service for her patron lands." A cool wind curled towards the mare in question, as if awaiting her decision, ready to imprint her with the scrawl of the Goddess' benevolence.

As he thought to his next task, he recalled Ktulu's soft words prior to the meeting, the dawn of the prior day. Though Kaj had been surprised that she was seeking a foal with Lakota, he was not so much surprised at the gender inequality. After all, where he came from it was more common to bed another of the same gender than the opposite. He had understood her request, eager for more foals to explore the mists of their home, and wished her luck in her quest. She had been a worthy Captain, but he would not begrudge her the family her mate apparently so desired. "Changes have been made among our ranks. Ktulu, in honor of her mate and their desire for a family to raise in our mists, has honorably stepped down to care for her future child. Cheveyo?" Calling for her, crystalline blues found her painted figure in the crowd, stepping halfway towards her with a serious expression falling upon his featurs.

"The title is your for the taking, Cheveyo. Will you honor your family with your valor and shed your blood for them whenever the time shall come?" Awaiting her answer, he couldn't help but find a measure of pride in the painted warrior. She was a friend to him, one that had calmed his fears when he was newly crowned, and he would not forget such a thing. "Daemyn, in light of Fiore's and Note's absences, we would like to extend to you the title of Sergeant. Will you serve beneath Archibald and Cheveyo, and strengthen your family with the power of your skills?" Losing Note and Fiore, with no explanation, was still an echo of sadness in the king's skull. But they could not linger in sorrow, they must move forward and grow stronger, especially in the face of danger.

Thor's face was easily found next, the brute's size alone sticking out from the crowd. "Thor and Jahzara, will you blend with the mists and keep keen ear and eye on your people? Will you protect them from the thieves that wish to harm our family?" Their Specters had been disappointingly few in the past seasons, and Kaj did not begrudge Quilyan's polite withdrawal from the position. His brother could do little wrong in Kaj's eyes. The other ranks were for Kahlua to reveal, and he turned to her with a subtle dip of his head, words tapering to a close with the replies he had anticipated.

And the icicles continued to drip in the silence, the ticking of the clock, water upon deadened leaves.

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Gifts:
Jahzara - glowing purple marking
Evangeline - moon amulet
Kahlua - large item

Kaj's Announced Promotions:
@[Cheveyo] to Captain! @[Archibald] to Captain! @[Daemyn] to Sergeant!
@[Thor] and @[Jahzara] to Specter!

@[Bellona], depending on her IC decision, shall also be named Captain should she desire to claim it.