KENDRY
| He grins as Ally's remark. Archaic indeed, but not so old that it is a distant memory in the Island's history. Still, he's said his piece and doesn't press it. Headstrong and bold as she is, there is no doubt in his mind that eventually she will find herself exactly where she desires to be even if her path is a little more roundabout —and a little bumpier— than expected. He glances at the spotted stallion beside her. Fearghas seems earnest in his regard of her, and in his concern. Privately, Kendry wishes them both well on their heart's journeys, and hopes that the pair of them align on a similar path— one with less heartache of which he himself has run aground.
The pale stallion dips his head in farewell as Ally excuses herself, then redirects his attention to the youth she's left behind. Fearghas looks unhappy at their separation, his throat apparently working around a hard lump, and Kendry flicks his blue gaze elsewhere to give the other a moment of composure. "The thing of it is, Fearghas, the Boss has only ever really been a figurehead," he replies, studying the branches of the tree directly behind the bachelor. "Most bachelors lounge around and are happiest when they can attend to their own business without restriction, while the Boss and his main lackeys tend to be close— and to work more in tandem than the rest of the crew. As far as I've experienced, so long as the bachelors are free to raid and romp unchecked they don't much care who holds power in the Lagoon. Everybody seems to have always been intent on their own pursuits."
He brings his gaze back to Fearghas and shrugs one broad white shoulder. "It could be different now, I suppose. But the fact remains the same: if enough bachelors decide they don't like who's in power, they unseat him. And if the Boss makes life hell for those who oppose his rule, well, that doesn't bode so well for him, now does it? Mutinies happen, and elections are every year. The turnover here can be high— both in rank and general populace. And not everyone at the top shares loyalty with the Boss." Those who reigned when Kendry was young grow fainter in his memory every day; not one stood out to him beyond violent and boastful, filled to bursting with their own importance and high as a kite on their power as overlord of the Lagoon.
'Weak' is what springs to mind when he considers the needlessly aggressive bullies who've skulked about these trees, proud to grind their heels into the mares they spirit home and delighted at the chaos they create.
He should stay. He should stay here, beside Fearghas, and stand his ground in the face of yet another year under yet another tyrant's rule. But the distance between himself and the Peak is not enough, yet, and is sure to shrink the more deeply he involves himself in the bachelor's politics, and Kendry can't. Not right now. Maybe not ever.
Additionally, the Lagoon turns on its own axis compared to the islands ringing the Crossing, and Kendry has grown quite tired of the predictable pattern of 'bachelors versus everyone else.' His heart is no longer in it, and calls him northward daily. He will do what he can from the outside by raising strong sons, sons who would quicken to Fearghas over creatures like the wily Cullen and his slippery, panting sidekick.
"Keep that in mind when you win, kid," he says with another grin, though his expression quickly sobers. "If you have to bribe and cajole others to your cause you might start with a weak foundation; better to take your time and build a worthy base to ensure lasting success. I wish you luck." He steps to one side and shudders his coat in full, shaking the seriousness of the conversation from his shoulders that he might slip unencumbered into the ocean awaiting him and swim, light-hearted, for Tinuvel's shores. He takes two more steps, then pauses and glances back.
"I don't know how much help I'll be outside of the Lagoon, but if you've ever a need, come find me. I aim to make a home for myself on Tinuvel. You'll be welcome, when I do." Kendry dips his head in a final nod before he turns and strikes out for the Lagoon's border, finally eager to face the future that awaits him.
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OF THE LAGOON |
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