Recognition gleams in Roisin’s eyes as the russet and white mare stiffen, clearly not expecting Khar’pern to be the one to approach her first. The last time they had faced one another was the day Khar made her own bid for the position of Minister. She of course had held hope that the mare would not take the action personally, but considering that she had disappeared into the morning mist surrounding the lower forests before Khar could so much as approach her on the subject, it had been taken personally.

Raven-tipped ears twitch as the firmness in Roisin’s voice gives way to something akin to defeat as her azure eyes drift to the impatient filly shuffling at her side. Tessaia had so far exhibited very little in the way of patience, but it was something they could work on later. She knows she should reprimand the child, especially when the girl bumps her sand-colored hip pointedly into Khar’s ribs as if silently demanding attention. However her eyes remain fixed on Roisin, remain fixed on the defeat and dejection that dances on her words. ’I don’t know what I am…’ Words achingly familiar in her own chest more often than not. Too often she wandered the jagged paths cut into the mountain face with the same stormy gaze that plagues the mare before her. Too often she found herself alone with just Diccon for company (albeit more distant as of late) as she grazed through the windswept grass and heather of the steep hills and meadows. The words I understand cling to her tongue but Khar’pern does not speak them aloud. Roisin did not need pity just as she herself refused such emotions.

A heavy sigh escapes her own ash-dusted lips as she too follows the mare’s gaze over the barren landscape save for the occasional butterfly drifting over the purple heather. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips ”I know it seems that way…” she begins, shifting her gaze to Tessaia as the girl darts bravely forward after a grasshopper disturbed by her shuffling feet. Unbothered, Tessaia dives forward beneath Roisin’s belly, her tiny muzzle buried in the knee-high grass as she searches for her “prey”.

Khar gives another exasperated sigh as she shakes her head slowly, blinking her apology to Roisin as the smile on her lips widens an inch. ”But I do not think so now. I think the mountains have taught me that regardless of where the boulder starts itself in life, even the ones that tumble to the base are still a part of the mountain, a foundation.” she finishes, flicking her obsidian banner easily against her heels. ”Even when our sisters seem to have disappeared, they always seem to emerge when threats knock on our doorstep.” she adds, giving her finely dished head a nod of affirmation. Silver gaze blinks as she studies Roisin’s weary features, her smile faltering into something more akin to a scowl, ”And believe me, our enemies have been knocking quite often, despite our retaliation attempts.”

Khar'pern

The jungle is dark but full of diamonds;