Suleiman in the Arch or Parvati in the Inlet. Names Maziel didn’t know, but this gave her new avenues to pursue. It didn’t surprise her to know Mariael hadn’t come directly to the Bay, though she was briefly disappointed to hear it. Not only would it have made finding her much easier, it also would have meant she had possibly worked through some of her issues against their native home. Maziel set the thoughts aside and tried to think between the two places Kohelet had mentioned.
“I doubt she would have gone to the Inlet,” she admitted. With that having been the territory Warsaw had claimed, and learning what they had about the stallion upon their very brief return to the islands, Maziel had a feeling Mariael would avoid the place. Unless she was in a maddened state brought on by her illness and went to throw herself at any relative Warsaw had left (or if the stallion himself was still here) to have them finish her off…
But no. Maziel knew Mariael wasn’t dead. She couldn’t explain how she knew, but it was the same way she had known their father wasn’t dead when Mariael had been certain he was. It was the same way she knew Paradiso wasn’t dead. They were pieces of her heart, she carried them with her everywhere no matter how far they’d gone. If their light was extinguished from this world she would know.
She turned her head back toward Kohelet and her silent stallion - who she’d named as Fell - as the mare asked how long Mariael had been missing. At this, Maziel let her head dip a little sheepishly before admitting, “It’s… been some time. A year, if not longer.” She almost told them how she knew, she felt that Mariael wasn’t gone, but held the words back. Maziel would not doubt them for thinking she was chasing a ghost, for her to have said Mariael was sick and then to admit how long they’d been apart, but she didn’t want to argue it.
“I appreciate you willing to help me,” she smiled, “both of you.” Though he could not speak, Fell was still there - she could smell his musk woven sweetly with his mare’s. Maziel was just as grateful to him, too. It was odd to think of the Bay ruled by anyone other than her sister or father, but time had moved on when they did and Maziel was just happy to know the Bay was still humming with life. The upturned edges of her smile softened. “It’s good to know the Bay is protected by a good family.”
|
