SA | Chapter 2 | Mending broken bonds

Hajime | High King - DawnsComing 

Noises echoed through the cavern, filling the King's ears with a throbbing pain that resonated through his bones and down to his hooves. The streets filled with horses, growing more crowded as the morning wore on and the official announcements came closer to fruition. Haji allowed a light smile to grace his lips, letting subtle nods to passerby's lighten the mood that held thick in the air of celebration. No one would admit their unease, the mood that always came when outsiders entered the hidden capital of Breim and disturbed the life so many had come accustom to. But this was different. Aodh had always been a source of speculation, of fear; the one blame fell upon when things went wrong in the outside world. It was a vicious cycle, one that none would admit existed. Minds warped over years of consistent lies they told themselves before sleep. It was a cycle Haji's father had noticed long ago, a cycle he swore he would end. 

Now it was Hajime's turn, to finish what his father started. Today was the day things began to change. There would be resistance, Haji knew this too well. He knew the minds of his people, watched their movements and studied their thoughts. He lived and breathed Breim culture from the day he could stand beside his father on his own hooves. His people deserved better than to live in fear. War had long since passed by the world, the destruction long since past. 

Blue eyes cast a sideways glance toward the two guards that stood beside him, an unnecessary accessory insisted upon by the Royal Family. Haji felt it rude to show his guests how untrusting his people were of them but upon seeing the Aodh King surrounded by his own court, the feeling eventually became mute. His gaze wandered toward the small pale pony that called himself King, his delicate features shining against the dark caverns. His mane was fare, pale and warm like the sun the flitted through Sterling's skylight, and his eye's a soft blue that stood stark against his light fur. Haji was in awe, that his boy, was the ruler of the herd he had been taught to fear. Their gaze met briefly, a moment of awkwardness in the chaos that surrounded them. Haji could feel his ears burn but he pushed through it, giving Amadeus a tilt of the head to signal the beginning of their entrance.  

The stairs leading up to the small balcony were small and old, creaking beneath their weight but never giving an inch. 'It's now or never,' Haji thought as he pushed his way through the light silk curtains and into the view of the crowd below. 

"Thank you all for coming," he allowed his voice to ring out loud and clear with a momentary peek at Amadeus beside him. Trying to imagine a loud voice coming from the small King seemed unfathomable but there was little they could do to change the circumstances now. Turning back to the crowd, he continued. "Today we come together in a celebration of peace and to welcome our guest from a land far from our home. Aodh has long since been a trading partner with the people of Breim, providing us with metals, food, and wares. But never before have the horse of Sirith made a treaty with their neighbors. A treaty that defines a friendship that runs deeper than the simple trading of goods."

"Well, today is that day. A day that things will change for the better. Today is the day our herds unite to become stronger. So we welcome our new friends here, in Nariah, where we celebrate our bond and create new relations."

"Welcome, Aodh, to our beautiful city of Nariah!"


Leonardo | Driven - moonlightwalk 

Adrenaline rushed through Leonardo as Aodh's monarch came in the crowd's sight. He raised his head high, trying to catch a glimps of the foreign land's royality, but had a some difficulty considering the size of the crowd. So many had gathered to welcome the group into their city. His father, who had went to stand among more like-minded for this event, had thought this festival completly unneccasary. Political issues ought to be handled with a sober discretion which spoke of respect. Leonardo himself couldn't see how this was not befitting. A festival would surely honour Aodh's king and show their willingness in this offer for peace. A ripple of excitement went through him as his eyes finally caught sight of the foreign king. He was so young! And there where those who wispered about King Hajime's age. His entourage was impressive and Leonardo's eyes fell on a horse with goggles on their head much like his own. He wondered if they were an Aodhian inventor. Or maybe they had mines in Eithne? Did they have different gems? He suddenly itched to talk to them, learn if there was anything he could use for his research down here. Maybe he'd get the chance later during the festivities.

---