Rivaini

Oh. The single syllable echoed through the silent, cavernous depths of Rivaini’s mind when the other Guardian began to speak - though mercifully, she managed to hold the same word back from escaping her lips. It was awful to feel the smallest measure of relief at the revelation that the golden mare was missing, but the silver bay could not help the reflexive emotion. If Çiçek was avoiding her alone, then the answer to all of Rivaini’s unspoken questions was both clear and undeniable. But if she was avoiding everyone - well, even the deep concern that filled her with was preferable to the outright rejection that she feared.

At least, until she glimpsed Solomon’s expression, and heard the broken notes that lingered beneath his too-soft voice.

Then, Rivaini could not help but to hate herself for her selfishness, and to peel back all the dark unspoken thoughts and discard them into a distant corner of herself. Given the facts - that her sun had not vanished until the auburn woman had shunned her for seasons - it was still possible that she was responsible for what had happened. And if her heart was the only sacrifice that needed to be made for Çiçek’s safe return, then Rivaini would give it willingly to restore the happiness that both Çiçek and Solomon had found in one another. They deserved no less than to share a life free of the burden of sorrow that the silver bay had left to weigh upon her friend’s shoulders.

It gave the Andalusian mare a brief flare of hope to hear that the champagne stallion had a plan for locating Çiçek insofar as visiting with his ally next. But what small relief she felt was quickly chased away by the way he appeared to ramble afterwards, filling the silence that might have otherwise hung heavy with truth. It was a straw that he was grasping at, and no solid lead - because it made no sense for the dunalino to come to Atlantis and not stop to call upon her two friends within the Ridge. And if she was neither here on Atlantis nor where she belonged in the Cove, then Çiçek could have been anywhere at all - including absent from the islands altogether.

But Rivaini could not bring herself to break Solomon with the sort of cruelty it would take to point this out to him.

Instead, she smiled warmly in response to the mention of their son, and silently vowed that - regardless if Çiçek returned - she would accept Solomon’s reinforced offer of a visit. When the child was strong enough to make the swim, they would go together to meet this Şevket, and to share the same boundless joy that the golden mare had once given Rivaini. Even Solomon’s sobering warning was not enough to make her conviction in this waver. Whoever this Aranck was, he would be unwise to pick trouble with the Ridge’s guardians - who were both capable fighters in spite of their peaceful nature.

I had thought to ask for an alliance… Solomon continued, grief and regret still evident in his voice. And though she might have been concerned about giving him the wrong impression under other circumstances, Rivaini could not help but to respond to the raw need in his voice. Stepping forward, she pressed the curve of her muzzle briefly against his cheek, and then curled her head into the hollow of his chin. It was an embrace intended to comfort him, but once that - somehow - served the same purpose for her. “You don’t need to worry about such formalities with us, Solomon. Focus your efforts on finding Çiçek, and know that you have our support regardless. I cannot travel to the mainland, but I shall search the distant reaches of Atlantis I know for her as well.”

And if I find her, this time I will let her go with my blessings - and my love. She did not say it, but Rivaini knew this to be true. A piece of her heart would always belong to her sun, but she could have never been worthy of Çiçek’s love if she was unwilling to make such a small sacrifice for the sake of the mare’s happiness.

mare / seven / silver bay tobiano / andalusian mix / 15.3hh