the Rift


You have to cross the line

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#1
Archibald
March 12th, 2012 at 7:15pm

The behemoth was getting used to living here. Frostfall's grasp had
barely reached it, and the massive draft loved that. His white hooves
were growing familiar with the area as he patrolled it daily, on a
constant search for the rest of his family. If Mandrake was seperated
from the group, with her age, Archibald didn't know how long the mare
would make it. Vincent was a survivor, and would find his
family..Wilder, on his own, he didn't even want to think about. The
pegasus was battle torn and once strong, but he was also creeping up
in age. His other brothers would be fine. They were young, and they
had enough sense to make it through on their own. Really, more than
anyone, his heart rested on the thoughts of Vincent.

The dark figure moved on, trotting carefully as the ground shook below
him with each of his giant steps. The foothills reminded him greatly
of the Woodlands, a place he had spent most of his life. He honestly
loved it here, these surroundings fitting him well. The beauty of the
hills were unmatched in Archibald's mind. He hoped Evers and his other
family would see his decision as wise as he did, and that they would
adjust well.



Mesir
March 13th, 2012 at 11:00am

My place in the herd as a Dawn Runner has carried me over borders and
into unfamiliar territory. Here the ground is heavy and dark; frozen
in dark patches by frostfall and no comfort beneath the weary hoof.
Here shadows fall like snow, tainting the land and hiding the light of
the Sun. My form is more suited to the open air of the Dragon's Throat
and the windswept plains that branch from its central lake. This land
is a dark one, where other gods and their worshippers dwell. I grow
more wary with each light footed tread, which is ever ceasing as I
pause to make my mark on the shadows. My soft mane lies flat along the
arch of my neck, for no winds stir these forests. It is almost warm-
when normally I would take comfort in this, I am irked in the time of
winter.

My eyes, a bright blue that pierce through the shadows, have failed to
adjust to the new environment thus far, so I am made aware of the dark
figure in the woods belatedly, and first by sound. He is a giant-
standing tall above me, with his massive, pillar built form seeming
ominous as it is shrouded in the color of the moon god. Black- a
wretched mark that I'm ashamed to even carry in my mane. Still his
form is attractive and strong, and marks of the Sun interrupt the
cloak of shadow that is his pelt. I tilt my head with light curiosity
and step forward cautiously, all the time aware that I am an intruder
here, and that my purpose is to gather information for the order and
the herd.

"Greetings," I call out smoothly, my bright tones recalling the Sun's
energy itself. In the darkness, where there is no light but that that
slips through the trees, my beauty is slightly veiled, and the mark
across my cheek sits dull and tired. The smattering of Sunlight that
filters through the trees barely affects my body as my magic extends
to absorb the brightness. I feel strange here, as if my own god cannot
see me. I feel almost vulnerable shielded from his sight.



Archibald
March 13th, 2012 at 8:56pm

The warriors senses brought his attention to the approacher, his whole
body stopping on command from his keen ears. With a short snort the
behemoth turned on solid hooves, pinpointing the source of the sound.
Lifting his head, Archibald trotted towards her. The black beast stood
like a skyscraper, towering over the small mare. Looking down on her
with golden eyes he spoke cooly and precisely "What brings you to
these lands, mare?" Archibald thought her odd. He didn't know of many
horses that would walk blatantly into claimed territory. She could
easily be killed, didn't she know that? Archibald's brows furrowed
some, chin lifting to show his superiority to the mare.

Archibald's warrior-ness never stopped. He was a dedicated fellow, and
he would follow the laws and protect this land with his entire heart.
The juggernaut would demolish any that stepped in his way or thought
of hurting his family. Even here, now, these lands and its inhabitants
were his family. He didn't understand this mare, so willingly waltzing
into another territory. She smelled of the land where he had initially
come to Helovia, so maybe she was a rogue or an outcast. Traces of
scents filled his nose, Ra, the king of another herd, was prominent.
Maybe she was in his herd, he didn't know. All of his instincts told
him to chase her out, to teach her a lesson to keep off of other
territory unless invited; however, he knew Gossamer would not
appreciate that.



Mesir
March 18th, 2012 at 12:31pm

I am no small creature, but the beast before me is massive. I can't
help but be mildly intimidated by him as he draws closer; after all,
he holds the appearance of a disciple of the night, and I suspect the
inclinations of one as well. His massive hoofbeats strike the earth
and leave me standing alone in the cold of this unfamiliar land,
shuddering against my better judgement. Each shiver is an instinct
that I cannot control but wish so desperately I could hide- as his
voice rings out, commanding and firm, my heart is pressed firmly
against my chest. My lips part as if to speak again, but I realize I
have nothing clear to say in response. He's asked me what I'm doing
here, and I'm not about to tell him the truth, but I've never been one
that loved to lie.

"Simply the beauty of the woods," I say softly, cleanly, omitting the
full truth and leaving him with only a part of the fact. It is true
that I am here to examine the surroundings, and understand how those
of the foothills can live in such shade. To call it beauty, however...
that is a stretch. My blue eyes pierce through the dim to find his
golden ones that are so like the glorious Sun itself. There's a tender
warmth in them that I can't help but be reassured by- some of my fear
subsides, some of the nervous tension leaves my stance. My feathery
black tail whips across my hindquarters in a graceful show of
confidence and my chin lifts ever so slightly; partly as a nod of
respect to the stallion before me, and yet also as a sign of my own
inner strength.

I take a few comfortable steps closer to the handsome beast of the
night and let my gaze drop from his and trace the path of the feeble
light upon the ground. "I presume these lands are your own?" I ask
with a light and easy curiosity, expecting him to be of some sort of
esteemed rank. If he isn't, he surely will be soon- he has potential
that anyone could see. If he weren't so clearly suspicious and firmly
loyal to... something, whatever it is, I've yet to discern that, I'd
tell him of the order. But I have a suspicion it would do no good to
preach the word of the Sun to him- I fear my prayers would fall on
deaf ears.



Gossamer the Benevolent
March 20th, 2012 at 3:21am

A pearlescent white figure crests the hill which rests above the
speaking pair. She had been grazing when the tense tendrils of thought
had floated to her upon the wind. They had been filled with anger and
Lazulli had flown off to scout, enjoying his new activity after so
many years in loneliness with just Indy and Enna. His report was not
encouraging,"There is the big one and another, strange smelling, who
is like a seedy snake on hunt.". The last bit particularly was of
interest to her. It seemed that her first spy had entered her borders.
It was both scary and exhilarating all at once. She knew what she must
do, but the thought did not appeal to her. She did not like being
rude, she wanted to welcome everyhorse, but if that horse sought to
destroy what she created she couldn't let them in could she? She
steadied herself mentally for what was to come, strength and power
were what was needed to show whatever herd this mare belonged to that
the land she ruled was strong. Granted, if the mare had met Archibald
she might already know that fact.

She stood, downwind, for those few moments while Lazulli flew above
her on the brisk, but pleasant, wind. His chiming was slightly joyous
at the thought of some drama but try as she might, Gossamer could not
share her bonded's glee. It was her strongest desire that every horse
could live in peace, to worship the Gods Three with equal praise, and
to be caring to all. The reminder that this was not always possible
was difficult for her. She threw a word to the gods and then set off
at a quiet, elegant canter. It was not long before her shining form
emerged from among the trees. She was pure elegance floating upon the
wind as the jeweled filaments of her mane and tail floated about her
in a cloud with her every step. Her floating stride showed her
breeding with its elegance and care. Her very steps exuded grace. Her
expression was kind but strong and the air about her held a feel of
quiet power, of strength. Her balletic stride came to a halt in which
she seemed not to stop, but to flow into a gentle halt at her
warrior's side.

"Nay, these lands are governed by me. This strong stallion is one of
my warriors and I am Gossamer, Chieftess of the Windtossed Foothills."
Her voice held no friendly note as it had been when she had spoken to
Boltar. It was kind and calming, certainly not scary, but the grace
and authority it held left one hard pressed to ignore rather than
feeling welcome. The mare smelled of Ra, that despicable crazy
stallion, and she would not put it past him to send out a spy. She
began work quickly and gazed intently at the devious mare, as if
considering her character, while she thrust an invisible tendril into
the corridors of Mesir's mind. She did so in a way that the mare would
not know what was happening, lest she discern it from Gossamer's
words. The thoughts confirmed her suspicions that the mare was a spy,
Lazulli had been right, and also that she belonged to Ra. Which really
was a shame as he was supposed to be an ally equine herd. How sad that
he thought sending spies was better that diplomacy, another sign of
the negative side horses could possess.

When she had all she needed, Gossamer withdrew from the mares mind
with a sigh, and spoke in the same tone she had used before, "Now, I
have been honest to you but, my dear, you have not I'm afraid." With a
decisive turn of her head she focused her gaze upon her gargantuan
warrior, "Archibald, please see that this mare makes it out of our
borders and does not wander or enter again. Tell her no more of our
lands for this mare is a spy." Then she returned her gaze to the
unwelcome intruder and spoke once more, her gaze firm but not cruel,
"Though you are not evil at heart, I cannot allow a dishonest spy to
cross our borders. Should you chose to leave the place you spy for,
truly leave, you shall be welcome and find a kind herd. Until then,
you shall not cross my borders with a single hoof again" Her voice was
not malicious, she doubted it ever truly could be, but she made sure
the authority and seriousness of her words resounded from her throat.
The clear, smooth voice echoing ever so slightly. She made sure that
none of her words were specific enough to glean directly that she was
a mind reader. She could merely have discerned it from the mare's
stance or from any other number of things. This thought made her happy
for she had done better than before with Archibald and Evers, rusty
from lack of communication, and proved she could easily handle her
own. She raised her head and gazed sternly upon this lost mare.
Another one of Ra's delinquent believers in the singular sun god.
Laughable, all gods existed and all should be equal, just like every
horse. But she could not be blamed for being led astray, only Ra held
that blame.


{ooc: OMG, sooo long, I'm sorry. I didn't even realize it until I was done.lol}



Archibald
April 6th, 2012 at 5:15pm

Archibald would've replied to the mare without hesitation had the lead
mare not shown her presence. He was fine with her taking over the
speech because it meant he didn't have to, and that suited Archibald
well. The dark, silent knight-- that was Archibald. His presence was
to be seen and not heard until it needed to be, his power spoke enough
for him. The stallion's body had its own way of saying what he needed
to.

He let his golden eyes rest on the chestnut mare, watching for signs
of aggression towards his Chieftess, ready to defend her because of
his loyalty to her ranks. His tail flicked about behind him, waiting
for Gossamer to be done with whatever she had to say. He took a step
towards Mesir with her command, trying to push the mare away from the
leader. "You heard her." He bellowed, lowering his head and sweeping
it towards the chestnut in a shooing gesture. He kept his mind closed,
reining in straying thoughts to keep them away from his leader. His
mind was his own and it would always stay that way. His thoughts were
the only thing he truly owned, and no one would take them without
permission.


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