“For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
Even the stars hope to see,
The buds of hope that bloom for thee.
Ysabel was not moved nor did she take the time to notice the gentle giant's opening his seams just a bit. Her mind did ponder this things as to what sort of fellow the hellion was. As far as the Pirate Queen was concerned, he was not so different from any other man she had met. He was just as likely as any to leave the little lady at the drop of a hat for any old reason and without regard. The sooty buckskinned lass led on not too far ahead so as not to be able to keep her companions in sight and earshot.
Rodrigo's ears pricked thoughtfully as he smiled at Taytim's touch, a quiet thank you for the kind gesture. She was much sharper than she gave herself credit for he thought. And then, Taytim had told him before she had lived alone a while now…and was aware how to stay alert. His eyes dropped as a reverent silence filled the space, his expression the same casual composure he always wore. He was thinking about what the little dark skinned mare had said. His mother was a respected mare even if she was a foreigner in a country that did not take lightly to foreigners, and she was proud of her son. She was not one to boast but it was obvious the pride that beamed in a mother's eyes and her smile. As for the Vulcans they were a pleasant sort and he admired them their courage and organized leadership. Ysabellanazeka would fit in perfectly among their ranks here he mused.
Rodrigo checked on Taytim every so often as he had on their way here to ensure the pace was agreeable to her. Ysabell on the other hand had overheard his inquiry as to the child Taytim was expecting, which only confirmed her suspicions that the mare was not simply an overindulgent little thing with a plump figure. The thought made her smirk and she managed not to laugh. The Pirate Queen had been keeping her pace mild despite her usual gate. Desert born spirits were naturally of a graceful and swift stride, and she was anxious to pick up the pace. The black bay man suspected this but said nothing.
The moment her demeanor shifted, Rodrigo stopped and turned to better look at her, his head lowered and concern in his eyes. He certainly had not meant to cause her so much anxiety, and he nickered in the hopes of finding a means to comfort her. It was a dire thing it seemed to Rodrigo, for the petite lady to not be smiling and optimistic. He waited for her to finish before he replied. "Taytim…" he used her name directly with a calm gravity to it, as if to pull her back to steady ground and fix her attentions on him as he spoke. "It's alright to be afraid. But know that you have nothing to fear because I will help you. And I will protect you and your foal, you have my word." The galleon lowered his crown and nudged her gently in a sort of chin-up manner.
"First time mothers make every mistake in the book little girl…but the good news is that kids tend to be resilient little beasts. Honestly I don't see why you're even worrying about protection. What do you think herds are for?" It was possible that someone like the Pirate Queen had not way to know how to sound sweet and sympathetic. The leader of a band of thieves had to be stern and show no weakness, and these were habits that were not easily broken…even if she secretly meant to comfort Taytim. Rodrigo's ear pricked at the words of Ysabel, and turning to Taytim he smiled to encourage her not to take the minx's words too hard.
"I believe Miss Ysabel means to say Miss Taytim, is that staying here is a perfectly safe place to raise a child…and that whatever you do no matter what will be out of love for a child. There's really no going wrong in that." Ysabel snorted and did not stick around to confirm or deny anything. They could take what she said however they wished. A Pirate Queen did not need to explain herself to anyone.
RODRIGO
the spaniard |