PM to join The Beaten Track (Ronan)

[Akilah Windsong]

Winter 15, 512 AV

It was a little past dawn when Akilah finally got out of bed, unable to sleep. It had been a restless night anyways and though tired, she needed to start moving. Stillness surrounded her, with only the soft breathing of her cousins breaking the silence.

Her father was probably awake by now. Or at least her grandmother. When she was younger and troubled, she would creep into the kitchen and watch them work. Their hands were a constant, making food out of jars and magic, and it never failed to help her calm down and sleep.

The magic hadn't left yet but it didn't help with this problem. Changing, Akilah crept out of her pavilion and to where the striders were. The light was dim this early and around her lay the shapes of sleeping dogs and cats, stirring lightly at her passing.

All but Vespera knew she wasn't giving food now, and it was Vespera that started to bark excitedly at his master appearing. Furiously making the signal for him to quiet, she darted a look back at her pavilion to see if anyone followed her.

So far, no one was storming out, and Akilah took that as a sign as she continued to approach Adámas.

"Good morning," she whispered to her strider. A soft neigh came as a return, her horse's eyes bright and curious. "I know, it's early, but I couldn't sleep."

There was no need to ask why, the pox had been on her mind for the last few days. That and of the strange problem her friend had, but the latter one was something she tried not to think too much about. It hurt in a different way than she was used to.

"Up for a morning ride?"

Adámas snorted, tossing her mane in response. Giving her partner a small smile, Akilah grabbed a curry for her horse, brushing her coat in small circular motions. This was calming in a different way, a ritualistic activity where she didn't have to think. Moving around her horse, she carefully cleaned Adámas's coat, changing to the long-haired brush when she needed to. As she removed the dirt and tangles, she could feel her mount's muscles shift and tense, feel the power that came from being a strider.

Vespera nuzzled her lightly, his ears flopping lightly as he looked for attention. "And you are a trouble maker," Akilah sighed. That mischievous and energetic streak had yet to leave the dog, despite the fact that he was no longer a puppy.

Grabbing her yvas, she deftly strapped it on Adámas, the numerous buckles and cloths fitting together like a well-known puzzle. "I'll feed you when we come back, okay? Let's just go for a short ride."

Vespera gave a small yip at that, prancing eagerly ahead at the signal for ride. Reaching up, Akilah hitched a foot on the strap in front of her, her hands placed near her mane and the front of the yvas. Pulling herself up, she balanced herself almost instantly before Adámas slowly trotted after the dog.

This was a feeling she doubted anyone without a strider could know--the smooth roll of her strider beneath her thighs, the silent understanding between the two. More than a friend, more than a partner, Adámas was like an extension of herself.

It was still quiet in the morning, only the early workers or those returning home about. Her pavilion was near an exit, fortunately, and she slipped out of the city before the sun crept any higher.

Winter was still a chilly season, despite the city's movements south to leave the worst of it behind, and she kept her cloak around her tight. Beneath her strider's hooves the terrain was uneven and rough, small pebbles clacking together as they moved through the sea of grass. Vespera remained silent as he nosed the ground, his wagging dark tail barely visible above the grass.

Despite this all, Akilah's troubles hadn't really left her. It was almost impossible to run away from fear, after all.

[Ronan]

Ronan couldn't sleep. So many worries. So many fears. For a long while he sat outside the pavilion proper, eyes tuned to the rising sun. So many deaths, illness and pox. And other burdens too. He knew the bringer of the storm. Kavala. So many things, spiralling out of his control again. He was grateful for Sama'el's marriage, and his family. It was a semblance of normality among the chaos.

As dawn finally broke, Ronan mounted Tairell, intending to have a short ride - thinking time, and Watch scouting at the same time.

The grass bent beneath his striders feet as they settled into a little less than a gallop. A steady fervency which would carry them through the sea. He clung to the borders of the tent city, not wanting to stray too far. As dew from the night began to drip free of grassy confines, Ronan dismounted and closed his eyes to enter the Web and check on this location.

In his trance like state, his attention was focussed on the strands before him. There was a rider and horse nearby, but in his state he would not consciously notice the female Drykas and her horse.

Even if they were kin.

[Akilah Windsong]

Akilah felt powerful as she rode through the grass, her strider's strength adding to her own. It was easy to just forget everything as they galloped, Zulrav brushing against her face in a challenge.

A little further out, a short distance from the city, she could see a man and his strider in the grassy plains. He was standing beside his mount, unmoving. Maybe he was just enjoying the sun or getting away from his troubles, like Akilah was.

Or, despite his proximity to Endrykas, he could be in trouble. A lost item, an injury, she had experienced those before in the wilds. "Let's go closer," she whispered into her partner's ears, hearing a soft whicker in agreement. Adámas turned and slowly trotted toward the pair, so as to not startle them.

As they got closer, Akilah started to make out the facial features of the man. His nose, dark hair--she gasped quietly when she recognized her cousin.

Ronan was alive, then! She had not seen him since her return to the city, and as he was not staying at the Windsong pavilion, she had no idea how he was doing.

His eyes were still closed, fortunately, and she gave a signal to her strider to remain still. At a time like this, she could surprise him. Slipping off the yvas, Akilah's feet landed softly on the wet ground. The morning dew made the grass stick to her legs as she inched her way to her cousin.

When she was within jumping distance, she stopped, a smile growing on her face. It was like their first meeting, out in the plains of Cyprus. This time, at least, neither of them were injured or lost.

"Miss me, cousin?" she crowed, tackling him in a single move.

[Ronan]

Ronan came out of the Web slowly. At least at first. Then suddenly something gripped him and pushed him forward, he had half a mind to reach for his dagger until he saw the splay of long, dark hair. Eyes motioned to her face, all shifting into a beaming smile.

"Akilah!"

He returned the grab, giving her a brief hug before pulling back to look at her.

"Where have you been? I have so much to share, so much has happened. I..."

He paused, taking a breath. There was no need to talk so fast. They knew each other well enough, and they were blood kin. That was bond enough to feel comfortable around.

"It is good to see you again, Akilah. These are bad times for our people, and I thought... I thought maybe something had happened."

[Akilah Windsong]

She laughed as he hugged her, excited from the reunion. "My mother's Watch group was passing by, and we went to visit her for a bit."

Akilah sobered slightly at his next words, looking at the ground for a moment. "I think I left at the wrong time. I came back and everything...everything and everyone was different."

Or maybe not everyone, but everyone who was important to her. Everyone who mattered.

"At least you don't seem to have changed as much." Looking back at the city, she frowned. "Endrykas seems like a different place some days."

Turning back to her cousin, she smiled once more. "But you look healthy. I was worried when I couldn't find you." Akilah poked his arm once, before nodding. "Yep, you seem as strong as ever."

[Ronan]

"Yes..." he said solemnly, "so much has happened."

A gentle breeze picked up across the grass, ruffling Ronan and Akilah's hair. For just a moment, he thought he could hear children's laughter on that wind. A second wind. A second chance. He knew that no one had died, not truly. For the Drykas tethered their dead to the cycle of things.

He glanced down at the poke she gave his arm, solemnity turning to a grin in the face of his cousin.

"I've been training, quite a lot actually. I am Tavehk now. Of the Watch." He swallowed, turning away from her somewhat. This wouldn't be the easiest thing to explain. "And... and I am a Sunsinger now. Still Windsong in heart, but Sunsinger by name. You know how disconnected I was, without my parents and my brother. I... I have a new brother now. But don't think I have abandoned our Pavilion. I will always be Windsong too."

He turned back to her again, studying her face, noticing something he hadn't seen in her before. Had he been so blind back then? She had familiar features. His father's side, as far as he could recall, but the Windsong face was as clear as day.

"I am glad you're back."

[Akilah Windsong]

"The Watch?" Her eyebrows rose and she stared at him in surprise. That was unexpected, but not entirely.

She had seen earlier that he had the skills for it and it was almost as natural as breathing to join the Watch. Maybe Akilah should do it herself. She was seventeen already. Seventeen, and not a single marriage proposal nor nor special skill that made her valuable to her family.

All she had was dreams and that wasn't enough when you turned into an adult.

"My mother's in the Watch as well--maybe you can meet her one day." She smiled broadly at him. Her mother would like him a lot.

Her smile fell at his words and she stared at him. "A Sunsinger?"

So she was wrong and he had changed as well.

His words sounded like an excuse, a plead. An explanation that she hadn't demanded and didn't want.

Akilah wanted to block her ears, close her eyes, and count to ten. She wanted to go back in time, to the spring and stay here instead of leave. She wanted to punch him.

That was a childish reaction, though. And she wasn't a child anymore. She had to start acting with some thought.

"You were lonely, huh?" she muttered, looking down at the ground, up at the sky, anywhere as she contemplated his words.

It makes sense. While he did seem like he was getting comfortable with her family, she could still sense the boundaries between them. It hadn't helped that they had left to visit her mother either before the gap could close.

Of course he was lonely. Of course he wanted a home.

It all made sense.

Akilah still didn't like it. It felt like he was leaving her and that was the problem. She got attached to people too quickly. Maybe it was one-sided. Maybe it was too big on her side.

But this wasn't about her. This was about Ronan. Her cousin. And whatever she felt, what he felt mattered more.

"Sunsinger, Windsong, it seems you took a step up and learned what to do with a song," she finally said. Giving a small smile, she added, "Are you happy there?"

At his next words, she gave a broader smile. "I missed you too."

"Ronan Sunsinger." Akilah tried out the name, tasted it, and frowned. It would take some getting used to. She didn't want to. And who was this man who stole her cousin from her?

"Well, I have one condition." Gripping her cousin's shoulders firmly, she gave him a firm, steely stare. "Your brother will have to pass your sister's inspection."

It was a childish thing to do. But she needed somewhere to funnel her feelings and this man would have to do.

[Ronan]

"It would be an honour," he said, "I hope I get to work with my aunt someday soon. The Watch can't catch a break at the moment."

He noticed her smile fall. It was everything he had dreaded, and more. The disapproval of his blood. Had he made the wrong decision? No, Sama'el was as much his kin as those of his blood. He had to strive for his own path in life.

When she spoke again he broke from the reverie. Was it... approval? Acceptance? Dare he say it, understanding?

"I am very happy. The most content I've been in a long while."

Her grip was firm, her nails digging into his shoulder.

"Of course, of course," he said, the words spilling out like a mercy plea, "I think you should come meet Sama'el sometime soon. You'll like him, I'm sure of it."

His smile began to return a little. It had been a while.

"How are things your end? Please tell me the plague hasn't touched your kin - our kin - yet. It's taken so many lives so quickly."

[Akilah Windsong]

"Oh, it isn't a problem of me liking him," Akilah replied, smiling darkly. "It's a matter if he passes my tests."

She chuckled to herself, almost eager to meet the poor guy. Oh, she wouldn't make it easy on him--no one steals her family without punishment. At Ronan's question, her smile faded and she looked away.

"No, no one's fallen yet. We...we weren't here when the worst of it spread. I guess I'm lucky I went away for the summer."

Akilah looked back at her cousin, worry etched on his face. Had he lost friends during the summer she was gone? Had his...brother--she had to get used to using that word--lost family?

She had lost a friend to this plague. Two. Maybe more. She hadn't had time to go find everyone. She hadn't been allowed to. Fear spread faster than the disease. No one wanted to die in their bed, not like this.

"Fajra..." she quieted, not sure if this was something she should tell him. He had already lost everything before. "Fajra, the little girl, remember? She was sick for a bit, but she got better. She probably got tired from our traveling and it just affected her now."

She paused, gnawing her lip. Fear had taught her caution but Akilah had never been anything but honest. Closing her eyes, she sighed and plowed ahead. "Another cousin has been ill a bit--I don't think you've met him yet. It might be nothing, like it was with Fajra."

Hesitantly, she asked, "Have you lost anyone?"

[Ronan]

"No one personally. The Sunsingers are untouched so far," he looked to her with sorrow, "I am sorry to hear that. Have you sent her to the healers - to see if they can do anything. I... I'm at a loss as to what we can do. I fear it Akilah."

Suddenly, he looked to the grass, feeling the wind against his skin. He wanted to escape it all. He wanted to stop wallowing and spend time with his cousin. Blood of his blood. Kin of his kin.

"Hey. Let's ride."

His face turned with a smile, settling atop Tairell again. There was always a wave of comfort, saddling his Strider. The unbreakable bond between Drykas and horse.

"Wherever Zulrav's winds will take us, let's ride for a little."

He turned a little, gesturing at Tairell's side with his feet, and waited for Akilah to join him on Vespera.