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Romani
Tallsun.
It meant a change for all of Helovia; the crisp, balmy air of Birdsong would soon leave them, replaced with the sweltering heat of the sun’s rays and the fresh taste that only summer could bring. In its own way, it was a time of rebirth, much like every season was. A gift for the land and its inhabitants… But for one equine, slumbering peacefully beneath the protective embrace of a tree in the Foothills, the very gift she received was the return of long-dormant memories.
Times and names left forgotten swirled within her unconscious mind, blending and stitching themselves in place with the memories that she had long since obtained in her last visit to the Veins of the Gods, where she had met with the Moon Goddess. The names ‘Abdullah’, ‘Nayati’, and ‘Xanthos’ were returned to her, as was her memories of them, and the love that she felt towards each and every one of them. It was the sudden shift, the sudden change in her that caused Romani to wake, her head jerking upright and legs flailing slightly as she tried to recall just what was going on. Nostrils flaring and eyes wide with confusion, the mare tried to catch her bearings, looking around the familiar area that was her home. It was all the same… And yet, so much different.
At her side, having been slumbering rather peacefully, little Kasai stirred from her sleep and lifted her head, giving the palomino a curious look. The cub gave a mighty yawn, her sharp incisors on proud display as her mouth opened wide before snapping shut a moment later, and eyed Romani with concern. A fatigued sort of apprehension floated lovingly through the precious bond that the two shared, already formed deeply in their short time together, and Romani reciprocated with a soft touch of her own. She sent the cub images of Xanthos, and of the sweltering love that she felt for him… And how those memories blended. Romani recalled two events with Xanthos; meeting him the first time in the Thistle Meadow, and meeting him once more, not knowing who in the world he was. The pained expression that had crept upon his face when she had claimed that he didn’t know him stung her now like a thousand needles. Yet his words…
’I loved you…’ They sent a thrill straight to the warrior’s heart, something that made her hot and cold all at once, and stole her breath away. Xanthos loved her, and she had repaid him with nothing but scrutiny and confusion. Oh, what a fool she was…
“I have to find him,” Romani whispered, pushing herself to her feet and shaking the dirt and dust from her golden-red coat. “Find him and tell him. Come, Kasai, we need to leave now, for the Edge.” For that was where he had told her to go, should she remember him. The World’s Edge… So, he had escaped the cruel ways of the racist unicorns that resided in the Basin? Good… Xanthos was far too sweet of a creature to be submitted to partake in their vile ways.
Leaving the Foothills, Romani ventured far in the pre-dawn light, moving only at a pace where Kasai could keep up. If it weren’t for the tigress trailing along obediently behind her, the Haflinger would have pushed herself into a gallop immediately, and wouldn’t have stopped until she reached the Edge. Yet that would mean leaving the black and white cub behind, and despite her anxiety and excitement, Romani couldn’t force herself to do that. Instead, she took her time, watching the sun rise higher and higher into the sky as the two made their journey from the mountains of the Foothills to the thick, cool canopy of trees that dwelled within the World’s Edge.
Ears swiveling and turning to catch every sound that echoed throughout the forest, Romani ventured further into the territory of the Edge, picking her way carefully through the trees. Glancing back towards little Kasai, who, sensing the importance of their task had remained diligently by the mare’s side, the Haflinger spoke. “Stay close, sweet, just in case. I don’t want the residents here to think we mean any harm by our visit.”
The mists of the forest made it somewhat hard to see, and so the Haflinger slowed their pace to a calm walk. Nearby a brook bubbled pleasantly, a welcoming sound after their long and exhausting travel. A few paces onwards and horse and tiger encountered the small stream, where Romani promptly paused to enjoy a quick drink. The water was cold and refreshing upon her tongue. Kasai padded towards the water as well, and lapped up a few mouthfuls, tail twitching to and fro. This place was strange and new to the cub, and she refrained from letting Romani out of her sights for even a moment.
Romani looked to her bonded and chuckled softly. “Maybe soon we’ll find him… Oh, I hope we do. He needs to know that I… That I love him, too, Kasai.”
It meant a change for all of Helovia; the crisp, balmy air of Birdsong would soon leave them, replaced with the sweltering heat of the sun’s rays and the fresh taste that only summer could bring. In its own way, it was a time of rebirth, much like every season was. A gift for the land and its inhabitants… But for one equine, slumbering peacefully beneath the protective embrace of a tree in the Foothills, the very gift she received was the return of long-dormant memories.
Times and names left forgotten swirled within her unconscious mind, blending and stitching themselves in place with the memories that she had long since obtained in her last visit to the Veins of the Gods, where she had met with the Moon Goddess. The names ‘Abdullah’, ‘Nayati’, and ‘Xanthos’ were returned to her, as was her memories of them, and the love that she felt towards each and every one of them. It was the sudden shift, the sudden change in her that caused Romani to wake, her head jerking upright and legs flailing slightly as she tried to recall just what was going on. Nostrils flaring and eyes wide with confusion, the mare tried to catch her bearings, looking around the familiar area that was her home. It was all the same… And yet, so much different.
At her side, having been slumbering rather peacefully, little Kasai stirred from her sleep and lifted her head, giving the palomino a curious look. The cub gave a mighty yawn, her sharp incisors on proud display as her mouth opened wide before snapping shut a moment later, and eyed Romani with concern. A fatigued sort of apprehension floated lovingly through the precious bond that the two shared, already formed deeply in their short time together, and Romani reciprocated with a soft touch of her own. She sent the cub images of Xanthos, and of the sweltering love that she felt for him… And how those memories blended. Romani recalled two events with Xanthos; meeting him the first time in the Thistle Meadow, and meeting him once more, not knowing who in the world he was. The pained expression that had crept upon his face when she had claimed that he didn’t know him stung her now like a thousand needles. Yet his words…
’I loved you…’ They sent a thrill straight to the warrior’s heart, something that made her hot and cold all at once, and stole her breath away. Xanthos loved her, and she had repaid him with nothing but scrutiny and confusion. Oh, what a fool she was…
“I have to find him,” Romani whispered, pushing herself to her feet and shaking the dirt and dust from her golden-red coat. “Find him and tell him. Come, Kasai, we need to leave now, for the Edge.” For that was where he had told her to go, should she remember him. The World’s Edge… So, he had escaped the cruel ways of the racist unicorns that resided in the Basin? Good… Xanthos was far too sweet of a creature to be submitted to partake in their vile ways.
Leaving the Foothills, Romani ventured far in the pre-dawn light, moving only at a pace where Kasai could keep up. If it weren’t for the tigress trailing along obediently behind her, the Haflinger would have pushed herself into a gallop immediately, and wouldn’t have stopped until she reached the Edge. Yet that would mean leaving the black and white cub behind, and despite her anxiety and excitement, Romani couldn’t force herself to do that. Instead, she took her time, watching the sun rise higher and higher into the sky as the two made their journey from the mountains of the Foothills to the thick, cool canopy of trees that dwelled within the World’s Edge.
Ears swiveling and turning to catch every sound that echoed throughout the forest, Romani ventured further into the territory of the Edge, picking her way carefully through the trees. Glancing back towards little Kasai, who, sensing the importance of their task had remained diligently by the mare’s side, the Haflinger spoke. “Stay close, sweet, just in case. I don’t want the residents here to think we mean any harm by our visit.”
The mists of the forest made it somewhat hard to see, and so the Haflinger slowed their pace to a calm walk. Nearby a brook bubbled pleasantly, a welcoming sound after their long and exhausting travel. A few paces onwards and horse and tiger encountered the small stream, where Romani promptly paused to enjoy a quick drink. The water was cold and refreshing upon her tongue. Kasai padded towards the water as well, and lapped up a few mouthfuls, tail twitching to and fro. This place was strange and new to the cub, and she refrained from letting Romani out of her sights for even a moment.
Romani looked to her bonded and chuckled softly. “Maybe soon we’ll find him… Oh, I hope we do. He needs to know that I… That I love him, too, Kasai.”
The true Soldier fights not because
He hates what is in front of him,
But because he loves what is behind him.
