'What a sight I must be . . .' Nyimara murmured in a silky voice, drawing a low laugh from the boy king. ❝I imagine you're right. Though is there nothing more beautiful than the creation of new life?❞ The question was more rhetorical than anything else, a way to keep the conversation flowing.

❝Thank you.❞ he was grateful that the witch queen acquiesced easily to his request for water. She commented off-handedly on his audacity to cross the Desert, earning a lopsided smirk from him. ❝What's youth for if not being brave and sometimes stupid?❞ Of course he'd considered the possibility that the Desert king would find him before he could make it to the Dunes, but it was a risk worth taking. He'd get nowhere sitting idly in the Hills, twiddling his thumbs and expecting Nyimara and the others to come to him. But traveling in this heat was its own risk, and Evrain could practically feel the moisture being sapped from his body as the sun pulled a shimmering layer of sweat to the surface of his skin.

As they set off towards the oasis side-by-side, Nyimara inquired about his plans and Marceline's downfall. ❝Yes, and in the end she was dethroned, but not by my hand. I suppose I got lucky that mother nature did the job for me, though I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been looking forward to fighting her.❞ He replied, dark tail snapping against his haunches. He didn't like to talk about what happened to Marceline - it stirred up heavy feelings of guilt and anxiety that weighed on his chest like an immovable stone, pushing down until it felt as if he could not breathe. But if he must force himself to for the sake of gaining Nyimara's support, so be it. He wasn't weak.

He powered on, intend on informing her of further changes in the Hills. ❝Now her so-called king has fled with his tail between his legs, and I have taken her place. That means I need allies. You know, ones that aren't my father.❞ He huffed out a gentle laugh, the sound made hoarse by his parched throat, and paused briefly to let his words sink in. ❝You were a faithful ally to my mother for many years,❞ he continued, ❝and now I hope I can prove myself worthy of your support as well.❞

They arrived at the oasis then and Evrain paused to lower his lips to its glassy surface, drawing deeply from the small pond and sating his thirst in a few large gulps, glad to be rid of the sandpaper-like sensation in his throat. Water clung in silvery droplets to his nose and whiskered lips as he lifted his head, finally satisfied.

❝I know you, Rafe, and my mother spoke of uniting Salem, and I would like to see that plan carried out. Is that something you still wish to see happen, Nyimara?❞ He did not bother to come right out and tell her his intention to take the throne of Salem for himself. If there was one thing Marceline taught him, it was to state his intentions clearly, but unlike her he was not prone to letting his tongue flap and spill all his secrets.

He turned his expectant gaze to the witch queen, falling silent in anticipation of her response.


mixed • blue roan overo • fifteen-three
king of the hills • rafe x marceline • pippa