It happened so suddenly. One moment he was walking along, thinking about ways to attract souls into his fledgling project. The next, a sharp stab of pain shot through his side, the sensation like being pierced by lightning or a unicorn's horn. Bewildered, the stallion staggered sideways and crumpled against a nearby tree, his ears ringing from the thundering heart and the frightened scream of his dragon. She felt it too, the uneven beat of his heart and the shortness of breath that made light and shadow dance before his eyes.
The sensation was sudden, without warning - though, to be frank, not entirely unexpected.
Again the pain coursed through him, and this time he was no longer able to keep to his feet. Slowly, straining to breathe and more confused than frightened, Lace met the eyes of the beloved companion. In her eyes and heart he found the answer to his question, an answer that left him saddened.
So, it was time then.
He was an old stallion. He might not look it, but the years had been creeping up on him lately. The youthful vigor and endless energy that had kept him going in his youth had waned as of late, and though the body remained functioning his soul had felt tired. Now, as his heart fluttered and strained to keep beating, Lace was given a short, quiet moment to look back upon his life, and what he saw made him want to smile sadly.
A life of violence. Of repeated mistakes. Of loss and regret and guilt, and flight from responsibilities he had never wanted to carry.
But it had also been a life of love and loyalty. Never had he regretted his pledges, not to Aera, not to Mirage or anyone else. Though he had struggled, his oaths had always been sworn with a truthful heart, and though many had been broken along the way, the only thing he could say was that he had tried.
Now his time had come to an end. Immortality was but an illusion, and for him, the show was coming to a close.
There were things he still had left to do. The tasks the gods had given him lay unfinished, his quest to save his only son placed entirely on the inexperienced shoulders of the boy. Tandavi's and Amaris' fates were no longer his to care for; too much time had passed with him absent from their lives, and the only thing he could do was wish them well.
As he lay there on the ground, surrounded by the trees of the forest and with the small dragon curled up next to him, his thoughts wandered one last time to the one mare that had managed to capture his heart. He wondered where she was now, whether she was alive or dead. It pained him that he had never been able to confess his feelings to her properly, that he had never been allowed to apologize for causing her pain.
He missed her, but he also had faith that they would meet again. Someday, in some way, shape or form, their paths would cross once more, and when it happened he would stay with her. No more excuses, no more regret.
One final time the heart of the Silverthorn quivered, and then it stopped. The small, pearly white dragon gave up a single, heart-rendering cry of deepest sorrow, before she too became still, numb and unmoving.
Together they lay in the clearing, still amidst the blossoms and the swaying trees. Quiet, as though merely asleep. Few remained that knew their names, and fewer still that would shed tears over their passing. A bird fluttered down from the sky and landed next to the silver-shimmering stallion. It chirped softly and jerked the head to the side, watching the pair with beady black eyes. Then it picked up a blue talisman that had fallen from the silky mane and flew off, leaving the fallen ones to rest in peace.
At last, their wandering days were over.
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[O] It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best
