“For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
Sorrow manifesting to a love that kept
On living beyond even death,
Sprung and bloomed and took a breath
And fluttered colors of hope for thee,
A bloom for all the world's tyranny.
Taika was as refreshing as sunshine and Rodrigo found himself very occupied admiring the child in her antics. The filly certainly had much to celebrate…her life was the exact opposite to Leena's, and that thought took Rodrigo back when he himself was so far from the light. Meeting Leena had brought him back to his senses, had pulled him from the pit of his despair and reminded him that he had a promise to keep. There were also those who could use his strength where he was good and ready to throw it away. There was still shame in recalling the shell of a man he was after his exodus from the old kingdom. Taika's imagination as she pranced and fought off invisible foes brough Rodrigo back to the present time and place. This little one now reminded him that he too had much to be glad about, and much he need not take for granted.
Ysabellanazeka could perhaps share in Rodrigo's sentiments a bit, though her own trials and tribulations were so far different from the big bay hellion's. To the desert born daughter, Taika was a treasure that was never hers to have. She was likewise a clear reminder of the little ones she could not save when her home fell to spineless rebels. As Taytim's girl came around her the mare tossed her head playfully and mimicked the child as if she too were living inside the girl's imagination, even nudging Girdy a bit to get in on the fun, presuming of course the dunalino minx did not shift away. The sandy gold mare was also very good with children…Ysabel wondered if the mare had any of her own. Just the same she smirked at the mare's words. "You can believe that if you wish sister." After a rough meeting, Ysabel decided…perhaps they might just get along after all. Who knew the ego just needed a bit of attention. It was a playful side about the Pirate Queen those of her beloved Mount knew well. She was hard as a keeper of order among her kin, but she knew when to let foals be foals, and was loyal to the death…if that honor had not been taken from her by a certain sahib.
The sooty buckskin thought on Geirdy's words now regarding her trinket in the gentle giant. She was still rather proud of claiming Rodrigo nonetheless and was not in the mood to justify it to anyone. The Pirate Queen felt a little nip on her shoulder. And while she was fairly sure it was a tiny equine that had done the deed, she just the same turned to Rodrigo and nudged him roughly. The beast's ears perked with question but he said nothing as Ysabel turned back to the other Peak mare. Rodrigo remained silent with a content smile. No matter the turn of events, he was here among friends (granted they were all mares which was not an entirely alien experience for him) and on the islands of his mother's kin. In time he would be released and on his way with Taytim in search of adventure and in his quest to find the peaceroses. "I do not see much use in capturing only those who cannot be used for our purposes. We are not a prison for all the islands' misfits."
"Did you…live in a Vulcan territory Ysabel?" It was Rodrigo who spoke softly, even his curious question seemed humbled.
"No. We were a tribe of males and females, we were all equal in status though the stronger were held seven times more responsible for the weakest of our denizens. We protected our own. We only took prisoners that would advance our purposes, ransoms that would feed our hungry and help the ill." Ysabel shot a look at Rodrigo then catching the coy little smile on his lips and knowing precisely what it meant. She snorted before continuing. "Do not mistake me for a saint or prince of roses…we were the most fearsome and notorious band of thieves in all of Calphir." She smirked and said no more though inside she was struck with sadness. They would tell stories of the Beautiful Dagger, Ysabellanazeka the Pirate Queen, Queen of the 1087 Thieves. She could name them because they belonged to her once, now they were returned to the sand and to the stars.
No longer wishing to dwell on the matter, Ysabel shifted the conversation back to this Valkyrie minx. Ears pricked as it seemed Geirdy was also seeking someone. Ysabel had the good fortune of finding the sad excuse of a stallion from the old country. Ears pricked as she pondered just who this "friend" might be to the mare with the funny accent. "I would be happy to help you sister…I too will be travelling to better understand these islands, perhaps say hello to the Arabians of the dunes whom I've heard so much about." While the mares talked Rodrigo had moved to Taytim where he nipped at her neck before peeking down to Taika with a grin.
RODRIGO
the spaniard |