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The God of the Earth listened to Note's thanks and offered a kind smile in return. The winged stallion was wasted in the Goddess's land - Note's personality was much too similar to the Earth King's to serve the devious Moon - but alas, the deity was not one to hoarde his followers or become jealous over their herd affiliations, and so he kept his thoughts to himself. His attention turned to Aurelia, to whom he granted a feather from his great wings; she looked momentarily faint, and then frightened. The Earth King merely laughs: "Do not fret so, child. It is yours now; do with it as you will. Should it be stolen, it is your decision what to do. Take it back if you will, or bequeath it to another, should you deem them worthy. I am not a wrathful god." He hoped that she would hold the feather near and dear to her heart (it was, after all, a rather special gift). He rather thought that she would.
Tyradon was the next to arrive, in all his hateful glory, and his challenges did not cease even with the veiled threat of other, more easy to anger beings. "They are my siblings," the god answered patiently, peering at the stallion with something akin to curiosity. It was not every day that even a god met such a vehemently angry mortal. The Earth God should like very much to see the equine and the Sun God in the same meadow sometime. The thought brought a slight smile to his maw - he hoped the expression would disquiet the steed - and turned his attention to Kahlua. Their interaction was brief, yet she was ever lovely and kind. He wondered what had happened in their young lives that the two equines were so very different in adulthood.
Note was the first to answer the god's question, but he left soon after. The god knew that he had not soothed Note's worries, but he would have to leave it be; after all, mortals had been placed in this world to make their own choices, to walk their own paths. It would not do for him to interfere so very much as to reunite a father with a daughter who may not want to be found. The disdainful stallion Tyradon was the next to speak, spitting words of contempt at the god, who merely quirked an eyebrow at him. "That is, perhaps, one way to see it," he said cryptically, then turned to Aurelia, who was quick to attempt to put the stallion in his place. Though the god could commend her bravery, he might caution her against provoking a larger, meaner stallion than she was prepared to deal with. To her, he nodded. "A little thanks goes a long way, Aurelia, you are correct about that."
Kahlua joined in, offering her own stories and experiences. The Earth God was surprised to find that she had fallen victim to hatred, not unlike Tyradon's. "It is good that you have realized the mistake, Kahlua. It takes a certain kind of bravery to admit that," he told her, approval in his tone. And finally, to Cashmere: "Hatred can be devastating, it is true; but there were many alliances forged from mutual dislike. Is that entirely a bad thing?" He hoped that they would all ruminate on the question, on their answers, that they would look deep within their own hearts and strive to grow.
He was silent for a moment, pondering his choice.
To Tyradon, he said: "Tyradon, you do not respect my power. Perhaps, if provided evidence, you will respect the gods as we should be respected, whether you like us or not. Walk among those you deem lesser than yourself. When you have spoken with a unicorn, a pegasus, and an individual of mixed heritage, come to pray at the Veins of the Gods, and what you seek will be yours."
To Cashmere, he said: "Go forth from here and visit the three herd lands other than your own. Meet their crafters, and study their work. When you have completed this task, pray at the Veins of the Gods, and I will grant you your wish."
To the others, he smiled. "You have all been good company on this fine day. You have my blessing, and I do hope to meet you all again." There was a soft rumble as the plants around his hooves grew and bloomed and blossomed faster than ever, until they seemed to swallow him whole; and then he had sunk into the ground, as though he had never been there in the first place.
Speech speech speech
Congratulations, Cashmere and Tyradon! You have won this quest drop.
Tyradon must befriend on unicorn, one pegasus, and one of mixed heritage. This does not have to be a lasting friendship, but he must be able to tell the God of the Earth about them.
Cashmere must learn from the crafters of the three herds of which she is not a part. She must be able to describe their crafts, and what she learns from them.
Good luck!
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