It was true that Rivaini was more guarded than her brother, both in extending her trust and in expressing her emotions. There were times that even Iscariot could not quite touch the silver bay - times that she withdrew so far into herself that even to him she became a stranger. The perlino had learned to set his hurt aside in these moments, knowing it to be his sibling’s way of masking any particularly intense emotions that she might be feeling. Rivaini was not one to share her vulnerabilities with the world - as if she feared that showing even the barest hint of weakness was like fanning the scent of blood to a pack of wolves. So when she laughed in response to Faolain’s words - a warm, carefree sound that set Iscariot’s heart fluttering in his chest and a strange warmth flowing through his veins - he turned to regard her in open-mouthed astonishment.
For an instant the pale stallion’s eyes were filled with a mixture of puzzlement and concern - but whatever he saw in Rivaini’s expression seemed to answer an unspoken question. As if trying to mask whatever knowledge he’d gleaned in that instant, Iscariot shifted his gaze to Faolain and then back to his sibling, burying his ears in the creamy tangles of his mane. “Hey,” he spoke in an affronted tone that was belied by the warm affection evident in his eyes. “I’m standing right here, you know. And I happen to pride myself in being less of a pain than the sister whose shortcut once got us both hopelessly entangled with burrs. I was picking them out of her tail for days after.” The reddish mare offered no response save a roll of her eyes and a defiant snort. Instead she turned her attention back to Faolain, who was now responding to Iscariot’s offer.
Was it hope that lingered in the depths of the silver bay’s unfathomable eyes? Only Iscariot might have been able to tell, and he was determinedly looking anywhere but his sibling, as if worried that a single glance might communicate too much. As stubborn as Rivaini was, he was certain that she would dig her heels in the moment she figured out that he was aware of her growing affection for the other mare. “Together or not, we may want to focus on finding ourselves a home,” the white-marked mare remarked. “From what I have gathered, there are places on the island that are...not safe. Places where one’s freedoms might be taken from them.” A frown tugged the corners of her lips downwards as she glanced briefly at Iscariot. Though the silver bay didn’t speak the thought aloud, she knew that if anyone was likely to be taken captive, it would be Faolain and herself - leaving Iscariot to fend for himself.
Iscariot, on the other hand, eyed the sea with some trepidation. He could not easily forget the fact that the last time he’d entered the saltwaters, they’d nearly claimed his life. Perhaps the swim to the outlying islands would not be as far as the one he’d already endured, but if they needed to visit each one… his pale coat gave an involuntary shudder. Suddenly the arduous climb up to Rhadra’s Peak seemed like less of a trial. “Another swim?” The stallion asked in a would-be casual tone, though the quavering note in his voice was quick to betray his fears. “Couldn’t we just… split up or something? My legs would just slow us down, but if you and Faolain went without me, I could wait here.”
Rivaini opened her mouth to vehemently oppose her brother’s idea, then closed it again as quickly. Truth be told, it wasn’t such a terrible plan. But she would worry about Iscariot - he had survived well enough on his own over the course of their separation, but locating a suitable home was certain to take longer. “I don’t know, Iscariot,” the auburn mare said reluctantly. “We were lucky to find each other this time - what happens if one of us gets lost or hurt? They’d be alone and without help.” She glanced at the black mare then, wanting to weigh Faolain’s opinion. It spoke volumes for how much Rivaini had already come to respect the other woman, and appreciate her intelligence. “What do you think? I would hate to outstay our luck here, but…” In the interests of diplomacy, the silver bay let her voice trail off into silence. She thought that their companion was perceptive enough to understand the source of her concerns, and weigh in on them.
And for some reason, she was quickly coming to trust that Faolain would not allow any course of action that could harm Iscariot. After all - in a strange way - the gentle stallion had become the center of both of their worlds.
ISCARIOT & RIVAINI
i can see your light |