a bright star, so no one lets you down

I will shine to guide you.

The Ocean’s Light stands upon a familiar hillock—a place where she had seen the Reaper stand many times over the years, and a place where in this moment, she feels particularly small. Questions of how she could possibly follow in Deimos’ footsteps have haunted her countless times since the Time God had promoted her. He had been such a grand leader and a noble stallion, someone she had always looked up to. Now, standing on the same ground, she feels the weight of expectation across her shoulders. But the sea maiden has never been one to shy away from responsibility, and the thought of abandoning her people never even entertains a thought. It will take everything she has, but she will guide her beloved home as best as she can. To do anything else is unthinkable.

Looking to her companion, Tiamat gently brushes the whale’s smooth forehead, exhaling a warm breath as she gathers herself together. Summoning every ounce of resolve in her body and squaring her muscles in the face of her obligations, she raises her lips to the mighty peaks, and calls them to her: “PEOPLE OF THE BASIN, MY FAMILY! COME!” Never before has her voice been so great, and never before has it echoed across the highland valley with such passion and earnesty and warmth. At her side, Nimue emits a low, long whistle, eyeing the blue mare as she silently marvels at her bondmate’s valiant purpose.

Tiamat smiles through the bubbling electricity of her nerves, her white eyes turning to her fellow Lady when the small, fair woman arrives at her shoulder. A gesture of camaraderie and warmth is offered between them, the Ocean’s Light finding strength with Aisling at her side. She finds her excitement rising to match her anxiety as the members of the Basin come trickling to her call, the length of her lion tail swaying steadily around her ankles, while a small grin rests easily across her expression.

“Hello everyone,” she greets them all with a familiar kind of affection, a thread of bashfulness lingering in the way she briefly tucks her head. However, she stands proud when she goes on to address them, trying to be the steady rock of comfort that they need her to be. That she wants to be for them. “I’m sure the words of the Time God have been weighing on everyone’s minds these last several weeks—but it is important to not allow fear or despair overwhelm us. We are a strong people, and if we work together, we can conquer these uneasy times. I have no doubt about that,” her eyes try to find all of them, seeking to give them strength and reassurance. Truly, if there is anything that Tiamat has always believed in, it is her beloved home. If they could feel the same, then there will be nothing that could shake their mighty foundation.

Breathing in through her nose, the ocean mare allows the confidence of her words to settle before she continues. “It is time to furnish our ranks once again,” a crooked grin twists one side of Tiamat’s lips, unable to contain the anticipation of building their mountain valley once more to the thriving kingdom that she remembers. There has been a lot of ambition already shared between her and her fellow Lady—it electrifies her bones to think of it all coming to fruition.

First, she looks through the crowd for a familiar black, scarred face. “Along with Lena and Enna, Mortuus Nox will be our third Time Mender,” finding her friend, she smiles broadly, believing that he has the skills and aspirations to successfully fill the position that she had vacated. “And working alongside Eldala, Vertigo has been chosen to be our Weaver,” she searches for the antlered mare then, thrilled to see the draft settling into a place that she can call her own. “Our two Thieves will be Rikyn—” she can’t help but give the gilded stallion a wide smile as well, thoroughly proud of him, “—and Imogen, a new member of our northern family.” Briefly her eyes find the pegasus, offering her an encouraging glance of welcome.

“Cassius will be our new Haruspex,” she says with another smile given to the pleasant gray stallion, before her eyes search for another. “To aid him in his endeavors, we offer Öde the rank of Disciple,” Tiamat glances between the two men, nodding to them both happily. “Additionally, in an effort to bolster our fortify ranks, we invite both Weaver and Wessex to serve together under our General as Corporals,” she looks to each woman accordingly, and then glances to Erebos, hoping that he will appreciate such promotions. “Both of you will be given rank magic. A responsibility we also extend to Oizys, who has shown great enthusiasm as a soldier,” Tiamat has yet to meet the young grulla personally, but she has heard promising things about the budding warrior’s potential.

Broadening her attention again to the whole crowd gathered, the Ocean’s Light smiles—and the gesture is soft this time, almost doting, “Congratulations to all of those who have been promoted. We expect great things from you.” Her tone is one of encouragement, support, and optimism—one of hope for their future. “Furthermore, as many of you will remember, our herd was given a quest by the Time God many seasons ago. Aisling and myself feel it is time to complete this task,” and with that, she turns to the white woman, shifting the attention of the meeting to the Fae’s words.


“Speech.”