Ashamin

As he watched, the sky overhead seemed to clear and reveal to him a wealth of information. It would take time for the Haruspex to learn the subtleties of the sky, but seeing them shine so bright now in this storm was a start, to be sure.

There was one star, in particular, that caught his deep black eyes. It shot across the heavens in a split second, almost missed, and when it settled in its place he couldn't help but trace the lines of the constellation around it. In its shape he saw a rearing stallion, wrapped and bearing an immortal snake that was curved in a symbol of healing. He thought of the venom that dripped so often from such fangs, and as he cast a sideways glance to Mortuus he thought, for a moment, he saw that venom in the trace of blood along his company's face. But there was more to such dripping liquids than hurt, particularly in a herd such as the Basin when one could heal, and under such great tutelage.

When Ashamin lowered his face completely from the marks of light above, he turned back to see Lochan staring up with wide eyes, and realized in an instant: it had been Lochan who had flashed such clear images in his head. The little cerndyr seemed to know something of the stars, even just shortly after birth. Lochan's wisdom was one he would surely have to plunder and learn from.

Ashamin blinked slowly at his companion, thought of a thank you, and turned to train his gaze on Mortuus Nox. The black beast didn't seem like a healer, no. And for a moment Ashamin wondered if the stars had been wrong or if he had misread them. But the image of the snake, wrapped with such infinite and immortal delicacy around its company, was clear. Whether this stallion would someday be a snake bearer himself, Ashamin was unsure. But he knew somewhere, deep in the well of knowledge that was rising steadily within his breast, that perhaps a life of aid would do this stallion good.

"What it means," he began, taking a breath and watching as the puffs of white circled his nostrils upon exhaling, "is that the stars find your role to lie with the menders of the herd. Perhaps it will be good to lay down the life of a warrior, for a time," Ashamin said with a faint smile. He nosed towards the other stallion's flank, noting the scars that marked Mortuus' hide. Maybe the stallion would find him odd for suggesting such a fate, but he hoped that Mortuus would take and consider his word with care. He was not advising idly, and though he did not know the stallion very well he knew what the stars had said. Or at least he felt sure that he did.

"I encourage you to seek out Lena, or perhaps Enna," the haruspex concluded with a nod and a turn back to the cave's warm comfort and his awaiting companion. "Both of them could advise you in the art of healing, I am sure they would welcome you," he said sagely, dipping his head towards the permafrost as it retreated into the stone floor of the cave.


Ophiuchus,
bearer of snakes
and the immortal blood of
Gods, I thank you for the kindness
that your countenance receives me.



[[@[Mortuus Nox], any. Thank you @[Johhny]! <3]]