| Aurora Basin Phantom atk: 7.5 | def: 10 | dam: 2.5 |
| Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16 hh :: 8 yrs HP: 60.0 | Buff: NOVICE |
| Glo |
The gorge echoed with wind as they passed beneath its rugged shadow, the sound of their footfalls drowned out by the haunting song of the arctic breeze as it ripped, tore, and twisted through the rocky crevices. Roland had always found it strangely stifling to be cradled between the sharp cliffs, with only a dark strip of sky and stars overhead. By then the moon had risen, and it shone its pale light across their path, bathing the granite in a wash of sterling. It was not incredibly unlike the last time he had returned from the Threshold, under the strangling cover of darkness with a child following at his heels; though, Roland suspected the gauntness of the boy’s frame made him seem younger than he looked.
His gaze drifted back to Caneo as he spoke, though it was hard to tell from the stallion’s questioning remarks if he thought of the cold as a hardship, as Roland did, or if it was, perhaps, something he had never experienced. “Yes. We have a long ways to go before the snow falls.” And thank goodness they did, for during the winter he grew a distressingly thick coat, and frost clung to his hair, making him feel like some uncultured, northern savage. It was difficult to be confident in his own skin- often used as his tool, his weapon- when it did not hold its usual sleek shine. Summer suited him much better. He could never fit in with the sullen grays and blanched whites of winter, but stuck out amongst them like a flame.
They did not linger around the Sentinel once it arose from the gloom, for even though it functioned as their guardian it was still an unnerving sight. Caneo, though, did not disregard it as just another aspect of the moonlit scenery. The boy’s voice was heavily laden with curiousity as he glanced back at the metal beast, though Roland did not slow their pace. “The Sentinel. It protects the Basin from outsiders,” he responded, maneuvering himself gingerly along the rocky path. “You have nothing to worry about, since you’re with me,” was added as an afterthought, in case the stallion was worried the thing might come after him.
After many tiresome hours of travelling, they finally came to a stop before the watery expanse of the lake. Roland breathed a fatigued sigh as Caneo met his gaze and voiced his gratitude. “Of course,” he dipped his head, smiling faintly as the boy drew towards the shore for a drink. Roland kept a watchful eye on him, frowning in concern as the stallion jerked, as if the water had shocked him. Yet it was too quickly recovered for him to make mention of it, and so he held his tongue and looked out to the rugged foothills that rose along the edges of the mountains. No doubt the sudden change was a lot for the boy to take in, but the Thief felt better knowing he would not be left to his own devices in the dark forest where he had found him.
It seemed there was no end to the boy’s curiousity; Roland would have figured he would be more interested in rest, or perhaps the food he had once mentioned, than conversation; but no sooner had he recovered from his abrupt shock then more inquiries were spilling from his lips. Or, perhaps the boy did not know where to go from here, and only found comfort in the things he was already familiar with. “I gather information, and help the Lord and Lady of the Basin negotiate and form alliances with other herds. If it is needed, I do exactly as my title suggests… thieving.” Roland quirked a playful smile at the boy. “I was never much of a soldier, though I did try to be.” He laughed softly. Best not to lure himself onto a tangent.
At the sound of singing, from whom there was no need for Roland to guess, he drew his gaze from the starlit figure of his companion and towards the shadowed forms of an approaching pair. Lena’s song reached them from across the water, interrupted by the jovial chatter of her kitsune as she bolted towards the duo standing at the dark shore. The mare’s refrain quieted as she called out to them, and Roland bent his head towards Imogen in greeting. “Hello,” he murmured, eyes lit with amusement at her enthusiasm as she leapt before them. He straightened, smiling fondly at the Time Mender as she neared. Once her attention had shifted to his new found acquaintance, he turned his warm gaze upon the boy and allowed him the opportunity to make his own introductions.
Push your luck if it makes you a promise
that turns con men honest.
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Image Credit
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