You show the lights that stop me;;

As the blood bay goddess made her way cautiously down the steep hill that surrounded the Silver Lakes the only thought on her mind were loyalties. Of course if you summarized her plans of action it was all business but, wasn’t everything now these days? Leaving the kingdom instantly provided the work-a-holic council member some time of her own as she tracked her way towards the Emerald Forest. It was quite clear that the forest was the furthest away from the lakes and perhaps that was why she went there first. It was not because she always knew that the territory was the most active right now, it seemed to have many changes occurring. First it had been a stallion called Varekai who had ruled the lands for the longest time. It had been a shock when he disappeared so suddenly, then the commotion of who would own the land came about. Next it had been a stud dubbed Luke who as well left and now it was one who was named Sinner? Following instructions from her queen the goddess presumed that the alpha stallion that ruled these lands was indeed called Sinner and so she knew if she was mistaken, well that would be a mistake on her part. Artemis was coming to these lands to see if this ruler held his loyalties to their new queen Ophelia. To be frank, it was crucial to know who would stay loyal even when the future of the kingdom wasn’t looking up. The kingdom’s survival was clearly held in the arms of the residents of the North. So, what would it be? Would you accept the fact that the north was not doing as well as it should be and pitch in…or would you leave like the many others who had simply lost faith?

Artemis stood at the entrance of the Emerald Forest and took a few minutes to admire the beauty of the land. In the past few weeks all of this life would’ve been hidden underneath the sparkling bed of snow. To think that the land had this much growth was simply breath taking. This forest was the perfect example of hope. Pools moved from side to side and noticed the two baby rabbits that were frolicking in the lush blades of vegetation. A low murmur adjusted the silence of the entrance and without a second thought about what she was going to say that would at least perk some motivation her pillars pulled her into the territory. Heading upwind the goddess positioned herself perfectly into the oncoming gusts of air. Why would she do this? Wouldn’t it make her more vulnerable to any lurking predator? You see she wanted to make her presence known without yelling her head off like others did to attract the leader of the lands. This wasn’t the South and their demanding orders; no she wanted to let the alpha know she was not going to do any harm. Picking up her slender pillars Artemis made sure not to uproot too much of the vegetation that lay on the earth floor by keeping to the numerous brooks that spread out through the forest. The goddess couldn’t help but hold her breath; this territory seemed to hold a certain amount of magic of nature. Every piece of life seemed to glow like ten million gems and to add to the affect the sun seemed to always shine. What more could you ask for of nature? Half of the adrenaline that pumped through her thoroughbred veins wanted her to run miles through the land and create a roar of action and the other half wanted her to prance around like a young yearling would when a colt came into sight. Tearing her mind from action, the goddess bent down to take a few sips of the clear water. She had not known that paradise strayed here as well as the lakes. Flicking her tail back and forth she swatted away all the pesky flies that wanted to bite her and concentrated on what she would say to the alpha stallion.

It was her thought after a while that the stud had not realized she was here so Artemis raised her head and let out a soft whinny. The goddess would not make herself known, this was another test. A good alpha would’ve come by now. Making a mental check her mind drummed through all the possibilities that he had not arrived. Perhaps a herd meeting? Perhaps he was out at the Arbors? Whatever it was the goddess realized that she would let it go because she wasn’t in a hurry and to be quite honest; these lands helped her mind relax and take a breather. Taking her fill of the fresh water she resorted to gazing at her reflection. If you think she was looking at her appearance you my dear are far off, you see so many things gone wrong at the same time was taking its toll on the council member. First the ex queen Solaris had been stolen right from under their nose to the South, the unexpected alliance with the king and new queen and then seeing old faces loosing hope in the kingdom. With a heavy heart the goddess had watched her friends and even her youngest daughter leave the north in search of something better. Her charcoal daughter Chardonnay had been found a few days later dead beside a river, it pained her not just because of what happened to her youngest but everyone who had lost faith in their home. Things were going to get better; the deities were testing each and every one of them to the maximum to see who were the fittest and the strongest to take on the new era. Along with meeting Sinner Artemis would also discuss the present concerns of the kingdom and see if the leader had any advice or suggestions that could improve the future of the lakes. Something told the goddess that her visit to the Emerald Forest would be of great importance.