If one had said a year ago that my heart was to be stricken over love, I would have gleefully laughed into the face of the fool that spoke. At the time I wouldn’t have thought such a thing to be true. This heart was dedicated to the lady of sand and blood; I was a warrior, a General. Yet. When I was alone with Ktulu, my thoughts were upon none of those things. Body became spry as if still a colt, I would nearly jump from my skin with anticipation every other night at the mere chance to see her. Half fear, half hope that she would return from a lofty position to mingle with a child belched from the throat of a dragon.

I patrolled the boarder, taking the night shift with hopes that work might keep my mind more occupied. But circling questions did not cease; nothing I did seemed to cure the heartache. Nothing could stop the waves of regret. Regret in not being by her side, and regret in hurting the one true soul that I held within reach. Perhaps I was the fool. For loving something that might forever be a forbidden fruit.

By the time our morning sun had graced the horizon I was no more or less depressed then before. No joy ignited my eyes when realization came that I would have to return home and allow Cera to see me in yet another somber state. Instead I banked off, traveling to the Meadow with high hopes that an extended flight would cool the head. Wings beat with little effort, I glided in on an orangemoon breeze. Thankful for a little time to just think and not have to worry about patrols, or prying eyes that sought to assure I was ever competent and aware of every little thing.

To escape. Even for just a few minutes.

Hooves touched the ground with ease and gentleness that barely broke the surface of earth. I landed dead center of the meadow, uptop a sloping mound of raised soil. The same mound that had taught Hototo and Cera the ways of flight for the first time. It would seem that the gods would have me given choice of company today. A pale creature stood off near the trickling brook that had widened during recent storms. Curiously I gazed the strangers way, wondering for a moment who it might be and debating upon leaving whoever it was alone.

Maybe it was instinct, or my own curiosity, but for some reason I didn’t want to simply leave whoever it was to their own demise. Quietly I started toward the distant figure that became more and more familiar with each step. Her body outlined by a rising sun and shadowed by trees that bore leaves of fire to signal another successful change of seasons. “Ophelia?” Small traces of shock and larger traces of concern fluttered to life. What was she doing? Granted it wasn't any of my business... Upon approach my bottomless pools rake over her body, taking notice of swelling sides that hinted upon a special blessing. Slowing I stepped quietly to the pale ladies right side, “Are you well?”