“For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
Remember where they bloom my dear boy,
Seek them out in your darkest hour.
At first, Ysabel snorted reminding herself that children were such silly little beasts that hardly knew a thing of the world. Once Taytim had explained to the child the strange things the Pirate Queen had spoken, Ysabel was more than little pleased with the reaction roused from the filly. And her desert eyes followed the child as she darted towards the hellion called Rodrigo. Ysabel smirked. Little Taika certainly did have a mind of her own for such a young age.
Rodrigo looked over the small girl as she dashed to his side and stood tall. The beast could not help but smile how she reminded him of the filly he had crossed before coming to the islands. The filly who was partly why he began to journey. He certainly would protect Little Miss Taika…he would lay his life down for those he cared about…it was simply how he was. However, when the black chestnut mother spoke, his attentions were drawn to Taytim. What the mare had spoken seemed to pain him inside though he kept his reserved façade before turning back to little Taika. "For as long as I can I will protect Little Miss Taika." His words were firm and he was not one to lay down a promise he could not keep. Rodrigo was perceptive enough to understand what Taytim had meant, and he did plan to return to his homelands once he had found what he was searching for. But…there was no hurry, no need to say goodbye to newfound friends so soon. If not for his heart that was still caught in the mess of his past…he might have given his mother's advice to stay more serious thought. For now, his choice was to remain with Miss Taytim for as long as she would have him.
Heeding her mother's advice, Taika motioned to the sooty buckskinned minx declaring the Pirate Queen her new protector. This won her a sneer from Ysabellanazeka. "I am fairly sure the star god will enjoy little Taika." she said again teasing the little filly. It occurred to her that the girl was soft and would likely grow up weak, and it was instinctive in the fair bandit that weakness needed to be weeded out at least gradually. The little filly was cute as hell, she had to admit to herself alone. Again on her mother's prompting the child retreated back to her mother and declared herself her own protector. At this Ysabel tossed her head seeming to cheer the child on. Now that is the spirit!" she spoke energetically. I shall teach you how to protect yourself Little Bird." There was a glint of mischief in those desert-born eyes of hers as she smiled down on Taika. The fair skinned lass always stood proud and tall and confident, and would certainly teach the child to be nothing less. Of course, defying even demi-gods could call for times of defying her mother.
The Pirate Queen thought that a child protégé was a useful thing to have around, but Taytim's question pulled her attention as well as Rodrigo's. Well in my country we do not worship the stars, nor do we have demi-gods. In all truth Miss Taytim, I was a soldier first and foremost." Rodrigo spoke with his usual calm and was in good spirits. He turned to the so called Pirate Queen and indicated that she likely was an expert on such things from her country. Ysabella made to reply until another joined their warm gathering. This one had coloring similar to the Pirate Queen's but clean of the smoky overtones. Instead her skin was stained with white, stripped on areas of the legs with white painted on there as well.
Rodrigo turned his bay and black form to see the mare who approached, unsure if she was friend or foe. Her scent was not an alien one on this mount but this was one of the few occasions for him to meet a Peak Mare. Rodrigo could not help but smile at her own definition of gods. Ysabel had ended up right beside Rodrigo when he moved, and when the other finished she spoke softly to him though was not really making a great effort to hide her thoughts. "This mare talks funny." This comment triggered Rodrigo to step forward at the newcomers first inquiry as he cleared his throat hoping to draw her attention and praying Ysabel had not managed to insult the other mare.
We wandered here just before winter. This is Miss Taytim and Little Miss Taika. I am Rodrigo and this is Mi-" Rodrigo had gesture to each of his comrades as he introduced them, but upon reaching the desert bandit queen he was cut off. "If you call me Miss Ysabel again Rodrigo…. I am Ysabellanazeka. Who are you?" The Pirate Queen was very capable of being rude, but to be fair her to-the-point attitude was a given among her kin folk.
RODRIGO
the spaniard |