“For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
The first of these bloomed on the mound
That marked a child's resting place in the ground,
Upon which her mother's tears were wept,
Sorrow manifesting to a love that kept
On living beyond even death,
Spring and bloomed and took a breath
And fluttered colors of hope for thee,
A bloom for the world's adversities.
Rodrigo had always been a fairly good judge of character. The exile and the tragedy that followed his once blessed bad prosperous life had caused him to recuse himself from the world, his trust ripped to shreds still healing. Yet he could not help but feel utterly at ease speaking with this mare, with her watchful guardian ever close. He felt no tension with the both of them. When the mare spoke, there was a solemn reverence about her that he found curiously comforting. He wondered of the forest she seemed to speak so fondly of, him being a reminder of a place seemed to indicate she no longer resided there. He spoke of his wish to see it one day, her reply seemed tinged with something akin to sadness though he could not be certain. The black bay's head tilted curiously, warm eyes fell on her thoughtfully before momentarily moving to her guardian.
When the mare asked of the blooms he pondered for a moment how he might explain them. Saying the things his mother had told of in her stories seemed awkwardly childish the more he spoke. Rodrigo was not one to be ashamed of his mother, he loved his dam with all his heart as a good son should. But he had to wonder if there was any good to this quest. Did his mother have him chasing ghost merely to keep him occupied? Finally the brute decided to admit his doubts to the lass, and he explained how he was not certain, even now, if the blooms were in fact real. His dark eyes were cast down then though he retained a calm and composed demeanor, easily hiding his disappointment at the thought.
“They must exist.” This surprised Rodrigo and the stallion who was overshadowed by the two galleon equines raised his eyes again to the mare. So confidently had she spoken and so moved was she with resolve, even if speaking of things she could not possibly know and he found nothing in him to test her faith. There was once a time he held faith as steadfast as that, but he was a different man now. Perhaps not so different as he might have thought though. The mare continued on encouraging him by elaborating on the tragedies that seemed to always be lingering about. Rodrigo wondered if such blooms were truly things to hope to see, or if it were better a world without such blooms and thus a world without calamity. Rodrigo pondered these things deep within himself, only offering the mare a nod and an assuring smile. "It is my hope. I shall keep looking my lady."
It was then he realized he had not introduced himself. The exchange rendered him with the names Jezibelle and Rurisk. The draft mare had no knowledge of a place that might make good use of his skills. She did however add how young children would need protection. Thorns twitched at the mention as he thought of the young filly he had crossed paths with before coming to the islands. His dam had once shared similar sentiments with him a long time ago. Do not shun the children my son, protect them and teach them virtue. Rodrigo was pulled from his thoughts when the draft stallion shook out his locks. He smiled and thought to bid them good day until the mare posed another question on the roses.
Now the hellion thought a little bit as to what information he might give to Jezibelle who was much a stranger to him still. At the same time, he could not shake the ease he felt in her company and even that of the stallion. And so he had not kept quiet long before he answered. "I had promised my mother just before she died…that I would find them for her. She had hoped we would make it to the islands together but we never did." Rodrigo paused momentarily and he could not hide the regret that clouded him now. The beast put on a brave smile soon enough. "I have yet to break a vow to her…I will find the blooms and depart from the islands to lay them on her final resting place."
"…it was a pleasure Miss Jezibelle, my regards to Sir Rurisk as well. I would hope we meet again. Until then fare thee well my lady." The virile bowed graciously, he was rather eloquent even as a soldier. Again it was his mother's way of raising her son into the man Rodrigo had become and in many ways still was. The beast then turned and left them and the falls heading North.
RODRIGO
the spaniard |