The mare’s giggle and outward good nature put the stallion at ease. It was refreshing not to be kicked in the face or tongue lashed for saying ‘hello’. With a bow of his head his smile only grew. I assure you, the pleasure is mine, Lady Audrina. A ear flicked at her title for him. His smile softened and he seemed to ponder the word ‘king’. His ego could not deny that he enjoyed the feeling the label gave him but the power it sounded absolute. Which was something he did not have, nor would he desire such absolution. He was Lord of the land; protector and guardian of those who dwelled in it borders, not over the lives themselves. Besides, a few particular females would have his hide if he dared tried to ‘reign’ over them. At last he smiled again. Lady, if I am King, many I know must be divines on earth. Or a part of earth itself. It was true indeed that his sister had insisted she was a daughter of the moon and she ran amongst the stars. He was a child of the earth. Though his mind often raced through the skies, his body was instinctually driven by the earth. Her question humbled him. I was born here. He explained with a flick of his tail and a trot forward. These falls were his first home, the coves and crevices his mother’s shelter when she needed it. The sounds of the falling water were the first I heard. Paradise is very similar. Only bigger, and greener. There are animals there of every color and shape. His voice was thick with affection for his home, just as his glance and prance flowed with pleasure at being in the place of his birth. I have found it very difficult for me to leave the sound of falling and flowing water. Movements had brought him back to the shallows of the river. Clear water bubbled and pooled around his hooves before he jumped back out of it again. The wandering and moving spirits of his mother and sister still rang true in the stallion. He could not venture on grand quests as they did. The energy was instead manifesting in him to move. Always move, always dance, and always play with the world that twisted around him. |