M
E
G
A
E
R
A

Meg moved off almost immediately; she was an creature of action and rarely stayed put for more than a moment. Strong legs moved into a jaunty step beside Sacre as they headed forward into the cave’s mouth. As hasty as ever she was, the mare might not have paused if not for the cry that came from behind her. She stopped just as suddenly as she started and swung her head around to investigate the trouble. Even if the younger boy had seemed more demure that one would have expected of his age, Meg had put his thinner frame down to the awkward and sudden growth spurts of a yearling. She definitely did not expect this.

The poor boy shuffled along as best as he could, obviously hindered by some malady in his hooves. Anger coursed through her in an instant, and she was not subtle enough to think to hide the expression right away. It was not Ryuu she was angry with, whatever held him back was certainly no fault if his but that he should have been sent on patrol? It was the senders who were at fault, and Megaera had to believe that this was an oversight, that Gaucho would never send this boy out into danger and unable to defend himself or even run. She’d already been concerned at the ages of the two assigned to this patrol but this was too far.

Perhaps too late, she realized what her face must look like and tried to relax it. She waited for the colt to catch up, with more patience than she would have imagined herself capable of. It was feelings the soldier guarded now, as well and bodies, and Meg always found untapped depths when it came to protecting her family. She moved again when the boy reached her, trying to not make her steps seem like she was trying to slow tm overmuch, but also trying to let Ryuu set their pace. She halted when they drew up to where Sacre stood and listened quietly as they both marveled at the beauty of the cavern. ”No, I’ve not been back since the darkness passed. It certainly is beautiful. I don’t think I noticed it with all that was going on. It was a difficult and dangerous time.” She too lost herself in memories for a moment, remembering the tumult that had sent them down into this place, and the events that had made her leave Helovia. She had gone looking for her Sultan and had stayed away far longer than she meant.

Jolted from her reverie by a soft whisper, Meg turned herself to face the colt. Her heart ached for him, not only his disability, but for the shame in his voice. She knew what it was to be young and injured and ashamed of yourself and she would not wish it upon any living creature. She smiled kindly, and tried to keep most of the pity from her voice (she knew how an injured pride stung too) and managed to capture a fair bit of her jovial, friendly manner. ”You’re doing just fine. We’re in no rush, and besides, it’s good to be a bit leisurely on a birdsong afternoon. You, know, through there is one of my favorite places here.” she waved her muzzle to gesture at one of the passageways leading off from the sanctuary. “It’s got these marvelous etchings, if you like history, and it’s where I saw the God of the Earth himself bless the fountain” she tried to lighten the mood, to reassure Ryuu that he was not a hindrance, and stories always seemed to do that so she gave it her best shot.

- - -

Tags: @[Sacre]
Notes: - - -