learning from what sad cause he pours his tears? Love hears his ladies crying their distress, showing forth bitter sorrow through their eyes because villainous Death has worked its cruel destructive art upon a gentle heart, and laid waste all that earth can find to praise in a gracious lady, save her chastity." The days passed by on Paradise at an excruciatingly slow pace. With all the time in the world on her hands, naturally the anxious mare's mind led her to more dire and nervous thoughts. So many were half-formed, awful fates that the Reaper could have crafted for Wasp, her daughter. She hated not knowing where Wasp was. It made her heart ache almost as much as when Shiraz had left this world. But being stuck in Paradise drummed up memories of Macabre's not-too-distant past, too. The familiar jungle just reminded her of the kind and friendly Allillil, which made her miss her friend, Rowena all over again, and then her thoughts would drift to Vodnik. Truth be told, she didn't like revisiting memories of her past and those embedded within it. It made her feel downtrodden and deeply regretful, for the actions she took and the words she said, but also for the moves she didn't make. So when the day came to finally leave Atlantis behind, Macabre whispered under her breath, "Good riddance." The goal had always been to make it to Luthien, and to find the Queen of the Forest. Persephone had been kind to her when they were captives together in the Lagoon. When they found the Peak mostly abandoned, this was the only place she could think of where they had a friend, an ally. If they were going to be safe, this was their best shot. Relief washed over the flaxen chestnut mare when they made it ashore of Luthien and the tall trees of the Forest jutted out in the distance. She nickered happily to Cherish and Clarity and flashed them both a big smile. "Alright girls, we made it." She said with the thwap of her soaken wet, blonde tail against the side of her haunches. They began to make the trek toward the treeline when a stallion emerged in the distance. He approached casually, and in a friendly manner. But immediately, Macabre stiffened up. It was almost like dejavu - the three of them would show up somewhere new, and without delay, a stallion would appear to "try to show them the way". Macabre took a firm stance in front of Cherish and Clarity - a defensive position she was beginning to get used to on their journey - and pinned her ears. Macabre could smell hints of the roan mare she'd met in the Lagoon here, but perhaps things had changed. Perhaps Persephone no longer ruled here. "We've had a long journey so forgive me if I am short with you." Macabre began, her face almost devoid of emotion. She was growing tired of having to explain herself to stallions like this. "We're here to see Persephone, the Queen of the Forest. My name is Macabre, I am the Codebreaker of the Peak." She spatted matter-of-factly. "Is she here?" I saw him weeping there in human form, observing the stilled image of her grace; and more than once he raised his eyes toward Heaven, where that sweet soul already had its home, which once, on earth, had worn enchanting flesh." |