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»› C A S S I U S ‹«
He made his way down from the North, from the rusting sentinels and the frigid air. Alone once more, he could not help the feeling of invisible pursuers watching his path while he went. Cassius would, now and then, send a glance behind his shoulder to ensure such was not the case. Waiting still with trepid pause, for the scouts to bring him back to that wretched land.
As the early morning went on, he remained cautious. Ever observant, ears pressed forwards and twitching with each chirp or howl on the wind. The easy air did little to ease his restless soul, eyes filled with a hovering, stagnant worry that lent its presence with a twitchy countenance.
His only source of comfort came from the constant hum in his voice. The low, lyrical tune as the silence grew too much on him. Easing what he could, by the song he held in his breath, and the steady drum of his heart.
It was a wonder why, then, that he travelled out so far by his lonesome. He was making an attempt to cross the Threshold, once more, to try his hand at recruitment. But as the thought of those who had pursued him out into Helovia, he shuddered at the thought of bumping into one. And the Threshold was ripe with newcomers – the odds too high. With a lame sigh, he pushed further south, reluctant to reunite with the icy tips of the Basin.
The gray stallion maneuvered his way, unknowingly, into the Green Labryinth. The terrain wholly new and different, foreign and wonderful – a change of pace, from high-strung nerves and the eyes he swore were burning behind him.
With a deep sigh he slowed his pace. His feathered limbs making graceful gains along the twisted, barren flora, among the bright green of pine – a scent he inhaled in an effort to loose himself from his demons. It was working, at some small level. But as he approached Astrid – without knowing she was really there – he was beginning to reconsider the narrow, and thick openings of the Labryinth. Found it nearly clausterphobic, worrying over the idea that this was a very horrible, terrible place to be caught should any of his enemies find him. It wouldn’t do, to run into the bushes, or the thick, sprawling trees.
Cassius breath shuddered under the weight of his thoughts, ignoring the scent of the stranger quickly approaching him. Only when he’d breach the short distance around the corner of several trees, did he start with a gasp and shifted his weight into his haunches. Lifting his forelegs briefly, as his head pulled back and the whites of his eyes beheld the ghostly figure.
Heart pounding, breath lost and strangled – mind, desperately trying to reel itself in.
“Ah- e-excuse me…”
Each muscle was tense and coiled, despite the realization of the stranger’s presence. She did not seem like an enemy, far too relaxed, too amiss in the greenery as it splashed upon her from the branches. Lost in the unsettling depths of the mare’s black eyes, roped in by his clouding mind and frayed ends.
Cassius’ fore hooves reached the earth, shook his head – trying to snap himself out of it for goodness sake!
“Pardon me miss. I thought… I thought you to be something else there for a moment.” He would have imparted a chuckle, but it hid behind his throat. Too nervous to voice his fault.
Blinking, the stallion quickly took in the mare’s form. He’d hardly witnessed a coat as blue as her’s, speckled with white – like the face of an open, dark night. Wings adorned her sides, and Cassius wondered – right then – what it must be like to fly. How free and elevated a person must be.
He ushered a soft, albeit timid smile upon his face. “You don’t know how relieved I am that you’re not a ravenous wolf!” At last his voice sung with a laugh. Riddled with a subtle, tense severity.
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