|
NASREEN
It was a gloomy day, and without the sun in her eyes, the maiden awoke late. Though she could not see the sun beyond the dull grey clouds that blanketed the sky, from the sounds of the birds in the palm above her, she guessed that it was about midmorning. Blinking sleepily, Nasreen stretched her wings, then ambled to the center of the oasis. One long drink later and a cool splash of water to the face, and she was alert, ready to greet the day—or rather, what was left of it.
With a parting guzzle from the watering hole, she set off into the desert on foot. For one who so loved flying, it was a practice far from customary, but Nasreen figured that it might be useful to better acquaint herself with the terrain. If—gods forbid—she was ever unable to navigate by air, be it at the mercy of weather or wound, she did not fancy becoming hopelessly lost in her own backyard. Bit by bit, she was building up her familiarity with the strange desert landmarks. Though at first it had all looked the same (because really, how many variations on cacti could there be?), Nasreen was beginning to recognize the subtle trails through the scrub, and today she followed one that seemed to lead across the dunes and towards…well, she didn’t know where, but she might as well find out!
Nasreen had only been traveling for a short while when two figures appeared on the horizon. Curious, she paused atop a rise, watching them move back and forth across the sand. Whatever could they be doing? the copper-backed mare wondered, following their path with inquisitive grey eyes. And finally, her gaze landed on a clue: from the sand just a ways away from them rose the most peculiar set of trees she had ever seen. They looked bare, but even from where she stood Nasreen could see a metallic glint.
Desiring to know more, the maiden set her course in their direction. As she drew closer, she recognized the Forger—Cera, he had said his name was—along with another stallion whom she had only ever glimpsed in passing if at all. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the pair at work. While she might not be as strong as either, Nasreen had been itching for an opportunity to make herself useful. And here it was! “Hello,” she called out, trotting up to the worksite, “Can I help you two?” All eagerness, she reached back, unwinding her homemade rope from where she had wrapped it around her wing. Fastening one end to the nearest manageable piece of ore, Nasreen grasped the other in her mouth and tugged. To the metal trees!
| |
.svg/2000px-Google_Chrome_icon_(2011).svg.png){kind=icon}
⇒
[O] Heaven's Choirs [Church Framework]
