Megaera

Whatever flickers of insecurity she might have felt, it was plain to see that these two at least thought no worse of her, and that meant more to the little warrior than she could ever express. Meg wasn’t ambitious, she didn’t need accolades or titles, but she craved the respect of her peers, and it was a constant surprise that she should be seen as one by two of the best warriors that she knew. The pride of that might have made others vain or entitled, but in Megaera it only fanned the flame of her resolve to be worthy of those honors.

She nodded at once in acknowledgement of the tawny stallion’s inquiry. It would be good to have him along on the errand but Gaucho spoke before she could accept the offer. The sultan was nearly done with his quest, praise the sun! She still wasn’t the biggest fan of the lead being without his senses but as it turns out he seemed to be doing rather well under the inconvenience. Of course he would, Meg thought, Gaucho could do anything. She watched contentedly for a moment as the dark stallion said farewell and took his leave. The gust of wind stirred by his great wings tugged playfully at her mane and the hawk turned her eyes downward, casting about on the ground for an appropriate tool for the job.

On the other side of the tree, near the base was an old branch, dried from the desert air and stained red from the dried runs of the Blood Tree’s sap “Ah-ha!” she burst, happy with her little triumph and the residual joys of the fine day. Black stockinged legs picked up in a jaunty rhythm around the great arbor’s base before it occurred to her that the task might need some explaining to Hector. “One of the items the God of the Sun requested was fire from the pit at Helovia’s Heart.” She called back behind her, glancing over her shoulder. “Gaucho’s of a mind to eliminate the land bridge, so we’ve got to find a way across for some of the others. A magical bridge of some sort, I am not sure of how it will work exactly, but we’ve got our marching order in any case.” She reached the fallen branch she had spotted and bent her head low to inspect it further. Fire-scarred muzzle ran lightly along the strong wood, investigating before she snatched it up into her mouth and brought it back to where they had congregated and where the bucket of black oil sat safely in the shade.

Awkwardly, she maneuvered one end of the branch into the black substance and laid the other end resting upwards on a knot in the tree’s bark. “This should work well enough to hold onto the fire while he carry it back and the oil should keep it burning for a while. Of course you’re welcome to accompany me, I’ll be meeting two others there but you’re a welcome addition to any party, Hector." She snatched up the branch and grinned around the thick piece of wood, she must have looked absolutely ludicrous, but she moved away and with a bit less grace then Gaucho, took off towards to north. Race you there!

faithful like a soldier