tembovu

Birdsong’s warmth came as both a promise and a reminder: a promise that safe warmth with his (growing) family whispered on the winds, and a reminder that he was still a King with duties. The quiet, monotonous lull of Frostfall had passed, without a meeting to bring the herd together. And their borders, despite being fulfilled with glass spikes by the Moon Goddess, were open as the spikes remained dormant, beneath the earth, throughout Frostfall.

Perhaps he had delayed pulling up the borders’ protection because he had been holding out for his son to arrive home. (A selfish, foolish action, he admitted internally.) However, now that Kianzo (and Mauja) were safely returned home, there was no reason to leave the Edge’s borders open and unprotected.

His great head swiveled towards the Devoted’s call—heralding on the heels of a drenching Birdsong shower. His thick hide, patchy from shedding out his winter coat, shivered against the droplets that coursed over the silvered buckskin. The Elephant King came to stand alongside the elegant, black-and-white Queen at the head of the lilac canopy. His navy gaze looked uncertainly to her green—never quite sure where he stood with the Queen—but his grin was warm and genuine in greeting.

He waited quietly alongside her for members to arrive, cobalt eyes glancing up once towards the drooping, water-laden center of the canopy—though the Basin’s craft held true and did not leak more than a few droplets. Then his gaze drifted over all those who slowly ambled forward, taking note of how Frostfall had treated those of his herd.

—pause for arrivals—

His black-rimmed ears swiveled around, remaining a calm and quiet pillar as Alysanne doled out promotions and announcements. A ripple of surprise at this novelty traveled down his spine; thus far it has always been him speaking the words Alysanne so confidently announced. If the Devoted had any nerves with calling her second meeting, they were well-hidden.

His head dipped to Mesec and Graasvoel in turn—though it would be a lie to say there was no sadness at Glasgow’s departure. He had grown fond of the scarred, quiet Glazier… He found his navy eyes drifting to Rexanna’s, her swollen sides, and their golden twins in her shadow. Change was an unyielding consequence of time. For better or for worse. He smiled warmly at Sacre as the stallion of foxes became a Moon Doctor—though his gaze searched for Evangeline, wondering if she would come forward at this meeting.

And then, when the Devoted Queen’s voice finally fell silent, the King took a deep breath and reached within himself. There, alongside the Battle Cry magic that resided in his chest as consequence of his rank, was a new power. A power that had bloomed as a dark, sharply thorned vine the moment the Moon had fulfilled the Edge’s quest.


Thus, he began to speak, “The Moon has fulfilled our request as he have fulfilled her quest,” and deep voice tolled, the very earth shook as the glass spikes slowly pierced the dirt graves in which they were buried. Higher, higher, their viciously sharp points rose, soil tumbling away from their gleaming, jagged teeth, “The Edge’s earthen borders will now stand protected by glass spikes.Your King, Queen, General, Captains, and Sergeant have the power to life and lower them. The southeast gate will serve as entry.”

Then his deep, low rumble paused as he looked for those who held those ranks. “Rohan has left us, and Auriel has been absent in her post and will become a Protector once more. Roskuld has shown fortitude and merit amongst the warriors, and so shall become our General. We thank Nyx for her service to the Edge, and ask her to continue protecting us as Sergeant, but allow her to focus on her children. “

And then his navy gaze sought out Raeden, Iona, and Toulouse. His lips pursed slightly, a shadow crossing over his black-masked face, before he spoke once again, “Toulouse has successfully won the right to be our Specter. However, let it be known that taking, or threatening to take, the life of a fellow herd member is not tolerated in the Edge. So his will be a trial period,” his darkening navy eyes landed on the serpentine stallion. However, they warmed when they landed on Raeden, “Raeden will continue her exceptional service to the Edge as Scout.”

He looked to find Alune, “Those religiously and academically inclined minds seek guidance, my Seer. Both Arah and Erthe have shown dedication to their studies, and will serve as Sages.”

Finally, he ended with, “Those who wish to join the ranked members of our herd, please speak now. And know that the Edge still offers spears, shields, shivs, and caltrops to those who wish to wield them.” And then he fell silent for a long moment, watching.

the elephant king