Power.

It was the key to the world. Some might argue that love ruled the world - that love conquered all, that love was what made the world go round, what called the sun to rise in the morning and set in the evening. She laughed at their naivete and plotted their demise. No, it was power that ruled the world. Those with it fought to keep it, holding fast as though their lives depended on it (and in truth, they often did). Those without it hungered for it, lusted after it as a stallion does a mare, eyeing it from afar, dancing ever-so-slowly closer, in turns pleading, seductive, cajoling, forceful. If you don't have it, you want it; if you do have it, you want more.

And there was always more to have. This she knew better than any. She had returned to Helovia with nothing - her title had been stripped away, as it should have been, she knew that it should have been, and her once-lover had shied away from her affections (can you even call it that?). But she had risen. She had gained back her place, led her followers to a new land, been proclaimed ruler by a god, and yet still, she hungered. She hunted. She wanted more, this Dark Empress, and she wanted it now.

But so too did she know that she must wait.

And so she did, wandering her lands daily, familiarizing herself with every rock and crevice, learning the best ways to defend, the best areas from which to attack intruders, finding ways to enter and leave other than the pass through the mountains. Beneath her skin, light muscles rippled where they hadn't before; she had been fit, of course, but she was becoming hard, hardened by the land and by her position in it, physically and mentally. Her thoughts darted, constantly, flickering from one thought to the next, making plans, settling scores, moving, always moving. There was very little time, now, for them to settle on the things that she would rather not think of.

The FrostHeart had not crossed her thoughts for days - some might suggest that she had forgotten him, but they would be wrong. He was a ever-present ghost at her side, ruling her actions and her tongue. It had been sharp, once, and perhaps it was still; but more often than not she found herself sheathing that blade in favor of a duller, more politically correct one. She was learning diplomacy, and she was becoming quite good at it, finding that her words became more and more believable each day. As she lied to others, about her motives, about her thoughts, about her actions - well, she almost found herself believing.

But not quite.

A sound caught her attention, pulling her mind to a still. But only for a moment, and then the thoughts reappeared. They never stopped for long, these days. Lobes swiveled, pinpointing the intruder, and she struck out in a strong trot, head held high like the queen she was. Keen amber orbs surveyed her surroundings and, when she arrived, the newcomer. He was a strong sort, thicker-boned than she, with a chestnut coat and flaxen banners. Darker hues adorned his shoulders, and a spiraling horn anointed his brow.

"Hello, darling, and welcome to Aurora Basin. I am Psyche the Dark Empress, the Lady of the Basin. Might I inquire who you are and what you desire?"

[W/C | ---]

---

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.

Perhaps her actions were slower than what one might have liked; it did indeed cross her mind that she should step up her border patrols. He would not have been the first in these past weeks to wander into her realm; but then, she had seen no inferior beings creeping through the pass, making it past her guards, and so to her thinking, they were doing their job. Her followers knew that unicorns were welcomed within her lands, and though they should still be greeted, they were not treated with the distrust and disgust that skyrats and the other hornless creatures were. Besides, since when did greeting newcomers become her job? She was a busy fae, with many things to attend to as the Lady of the Basin. So where were her patrols, anyway?

She filed the thought away for later review, and took a moment to size up the stallion before her. Of course, she had already glimpsed over him to get an idea of his appearance, as was customary for any lead greeting a stranger (or so she assumed). But now she considered what use he could be to her. A muscular form, to be sure, but she had plenty of warriors. She supposed one more could never hurt, but she did rather hope that she would find her herdlands more blessed with those of a different talent. She felt surrounded by meat-headed stallions who were more brawn than brain. Would this one be any different?

"Totem." Straightforward enough, but a short answer did not make him stupid. She listened further: "I be lookin’ ta join thar’s herd, if thar’ll have me. Lass named Lena said thar may have use ‘o me." His tones had an odd lilt to them, an accent unknown to her and quite unlike any that she had ever heard. Perhaps he did not sound like the most learned steed in Helovia, but there was something that prevented her still from categorizing him as stupid. She would not assume that he was as intelligent as he was, for she was no mind reader, but she certainly would not ignore his presence.

"You are certainly welcome within my herd, Totem," she told him, her orange gaze never wavering from his. "And I am sure that we will find many uses for you. Tell me, darling, where do your talents lie?"

[W/C | ---]

---

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.

She bristled slightly at his criticism, though outwardly she only pursed her lips and regarded him shrewdly. Who did he think he was to waltz into her domain and tell her that her patrols were lacking? He is correct, though, a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her. It was a thought that irked her, and she reminded herself that she would need to speak with her soldiers, remind them of the importance of their borders. Yes, they were surrounded by mountains - but that did not mean that they should be complacent. There were always comings and goings from the pass, and with such a small area, it would be easy to slip in unseen should no one be here to greet them.

Finally, she spoke. "It would seem that you are correct, Totem," she admitted wryly. "I do believe that you would make an excellent addition to our ranks. Perhaps you can whip some of our other soldiers into shape, hmm?" She flashed a winning smile, though it did not reach her eyes. "Come, then, and familiarize yourself with our lands. Welcome home, darling," was her final statement, and then she turned her back on him, walking back the way she had come. She did not particularly like this stallion, but he had spoken honestly, and he would fill a role that they were, apparently, lacking. If nothing else, he would be useful.

[W/C | ---]

---

Walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk."
Think think think.