Common

The Arch. It was a peaceful place, at least in her eyes. Dark and foreboding, much like the stallion that had claimed it as his home. Though only she and her daughters were so far the only occupants, Nyimara took her time to carefully examine the borders and unfamiliar landmarks. Deep down, her heart told her that she only sought to find Bjorn’s scent, to trace the path with which he had taken and disappeared once again with Sigurdr. No. No. Over and over she let the word repeat itself in her mind. No. Sigurdr was lost to her and Bjorn fled without even a second thought as to her safety or that of the unborn child she had carried then. He left her to deal with his own demons and instead offered her a sacrifice to whatever followed in his wake of destruction.

But Nyimara was persistent and not nearly as feeble in mind or body. Though still the stallion Aranck both terrified and excited her, she found herself moving easily from the role of Queen of the Inlet, to Queen of the Arch albeit chained to Aranck. Raksha still moved with caution in the Arch, begging and pleading in hushed tones that her mother reconsider her options and flee far from the island of Tinuvel and whatever reach Aranck might have. Softly Nyimara chided the girl, reminded her of the words that Aranck had spoken and the truth she knew them to be. Even if they were to flee, Bjorn had left them nothing to return to. Whether she liked it or not, she and Raksha, and Skogsra were on their own. Nyimara would not let them go hungry.

Today she needed a break, today she found herself wandering from the shores of the common with her own proud head held high. Dark eyes scan the land that surrounded her, like Tinuvel, the commons were covered in a thick layer of mist and fog. By noon, Nyimara knew that the sun would wash away the thick mist but for now, the cloud cover was a welcome blanket that she swaddled herself in. She could not explain what brought her here today, except the hopes of perhaps staving off Aranck’s insatiable hunger. She knew it would not be much longer before even Raksha would not be safe beneath the cloak of power that Nyimara wore. Her hope now was that she could keep the rogue happy with as many trinkets as she could muster together to stave off his gaze. For a time, it would work… until she could find a more permanent solution.

However her thoughts and worries for her daughter disappear as a familiar scent floods her nostrils. Dark eyes narrow as she turns to focus on an approached shadow in the mists. Ears pin against her skull as lips press together tightly to fight back the snarl that threatens to break past her lips.

Tigerlily.

For a moment she watches the golden mare move. Small ears perk amid the tangle of her silver white mane as the familiar name breaks through the mist between them. ”Bjorn.” Even after all this time, the damned woman still sought him out. Her bear king. Her Bjorn. Like a dagger of ice she felt the anger rise. Like a serpent it twists and coils itself around her very soul until even the thought of drawing breath threatens to overwhelm her. What anger had been sated by Siobhan’s assault was once more bursting into a fiery inferno.

She watches silently as Tigerlily moves through the throng of unfamiliar horses, only when she bumps into a stranger and dips her head apologetically does the plan she formed begin to take shape. ”Tigerlily!” she calls, her whicker light and familiar. Deep beneath her skin does she bury the seeds of hatred and anger. Dark auburn eyes glitter as she does her best to keep the friendly facade planted firmly in place. ”You are back?! Bjorn has been looking for you.” she breathes, tilting her head towards the treeline where far beyond the shores lay Tinuvel. ”We had to move the herd from the Inlet. He is in the Arch now… we looked for you but Bjorn was afraid you were lost to him again.” she continues, doing her best to tamper the disdain and bile that rose in her lungs at the very thought of Bjorn seeking anyone else but herself. However, if the dramatic words did as they were supposed to, perhaps she could kill two birds with one stone once again.

”Come, let me take you to him.” she adds, her smile genuine now. Yes, to the Arch and the waiting jaws of the beast that slumbered within.