Though Torleik had always felt some insurmountable distance between himself and his brother, he had never not loved Bolverik. You loved family, even if they were less than perfect. His sibling's smile reached his eyes and Torleik felt warmth in his chest, his own seawater gaze crinkled as well. Joy left marks, as it should.
As he walked with Bolverik they spoke, and he learned of how his brother had come to be here, wandering, same as the Bloodskald had. "I know, Bolv," he murmured, his memories coming back swift and violent. Irelyn's displeased call rang out from above and he glanced up, reassuring her he would be all right. "I...I tried to save them. To get them out. I...couldn't. The fire was too hot, and..." His voice trailed, the picture of his mother's half-burned face urging him to go, to run, to live too much. "I saw no one else during my escape. If they survived..." The stallion sighed, offering up a short description of how he came to find Helovia and informing Bolv that Ulrik was here as well.
The rune-horned smiled when his brother laughed and asked about the Engineer, the awkward little boy who never spoke. "That is exactly the Ulrik I speak of," Torleik chuckled right back. "We had a disagreement soon after my arrival, and it only served to reassure me I am not fond of politics. We are good now, and Ulrik crafts things for the Basin. Machines and other items." Their path had taken them near the border of the Hidden Falls and he was careful not to trespass. "I am glad as well, brother."
Nodding to his right, the Bloodskald decided now as as good a time as any for a brief geography lesson. "Through the trees a way is the herland of the Hidden Falls. The Earth God is their patron, and their are led by Midas - and someone else, I believe...ah! Yes. Ghost. Czar and Czarina is what they deem their leaders, from what I understand. Anyone may live in the Falls, unicorn, pegasus or normal equine. Where we are going, the Basin...they are not so open to others. It is very rare to see anything but a pureblood unicorn there. I am not sure why this is so, and I am not sure I agree...but that is how things are."
Something in Torleik's demeanor changed, then, his spine straightening some, ears perking up, a vigor in his eyes and voice. "We have our own leaders in the Basin, of course. Lord Deimos and Lady Ophelia." Her name rolled off his tongue like sugar, sweet and savored. "I care not for Deimos and you will understand why when you meet him, and Ophelia is a new appointee to the Ladyship. She, however, is quite fit for the job." Torleik neglected to say more, though he could have gone on for...quite some time.
The Helovian showed his brother what berries to eat and grasses to snack on before they took a short rest and continued on, the moon and starlight guiding their path. That, and Irelyn's nocturnal vision. "You might have noticed the owl griffin," he said to Bolverik, nodding up to the sky. "Her name is Irelyn and she's my companion; this place has small creatures that others can raise and bond to. Perhaps you can find one one day. Griffins like unicorns best, I have been told, though we could also bond with other normal creatures. Dragons bond with regular equines, and you will find that Ophelia has a dragon named Tinek. She is unicorn on her father's side, equine on her mother's." The rabicano frowned, wondering if he should mention to Bolverik that speaking of Ophelia's mother would not be wise. Better safe than sorry, he supposed. "Please do not speak of her mother; she passed recently and it was...a difficult time for her."
Reaching the Frozen Arch took the rest of the night and he suggested they push through to the finish. The Basin Sentinels came into view as dawn crested the mountain peaks, the General speaking once more. "Ulrik made those. They guard the border of the Basin and only let in those who they recognize, or those who are escorted within by a Basin member. You will be free to come and go now as you wish without fear." Upon passing the metal watchtowers in equid form, Torleik let loose a bellow that indicated a newcomer. Others did not always announce their new family members, but the rune-horned found that strange.
It was a new addition to the herd. Others should know.
"We should linger here a little. Others might come, or they might not. We are somewhat frigid like our homeland, but I hope you will be able to meet Ophelia, at least. Then I will find you a cave and get you a good, warm meal."
@[Bolverik]
@[Ophelia]
@[Deimos]
OOC: Tagging both leaders! Anyone else is welcome to join the thread at any time!
"talk talk talk"
'Mental speaking'
Thoughts
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![[Image: 531c0b471919e]](http://images.helovia.net/index.php/view/531c0b471919e)
