{Caterre} Finding Home

Ghrian led the Cerulis, the name that the natives had for them, that had followed him away from the festival. His large amber antlers glistened in the morning light as they trudged on through the lands of Idris, searching for somewhere, something to call their own. The fog of early morning chill and warm breath proceeded the new herd.

It took two days of hard travel through mountains and fields and wading in rivers to finally find suitable land. Ghrian knew that if they stopped, they would be hard-pressed to move again, and so he pushed them forward. "Rest comes after we reach home, and we are not there yet." Those were the words he spoke to anyone wishing to stop for more than sleep. The burning stag was tough, but he would not deny them words of encouragement as well. "We will find a place safe for us and for our children. We will have more food than we know what to do with. The stars will see our coming and give us great blessings."

Finally, they pressed into the glades, Ghrian's eyes scouring the snow-laden forest floor in the biggest of the clearings they'd come across so far. This place would be fruitful for those who had followed him from the initial Fall. Spring would bring soft, sweet grasses and a bounty of clover and honeysuckle through the summer. With a swipe of his hoof on the ground, he found plenty of grass beneath the winter blanket, enough to hold them over until spring was able to melt the ice. "This will be our home." His tone held a note of finality. The decision was made. This was where they would stake their claim on these new lands. This would be the seat of their people, those who were already here and those who were to come.

Ghrian turned to those who had come with him, pupilless golden eyes touching each of their faces. "We can rest, now."

Llirr Sine-Theta Do you dream your dreams in color?

Llirr followed the ember man and others of her sky-bred cousins from their initial landing.  She could not release the vision of the dark stag marked in white and purple stepping before the wounded doe: "I did." Did you? She wanted to implore, but dare not, for she understood the delicacy of this confrontation.  His voice continued to admit this question as she followed her new herd into the wilds of the unknown with wide, absorbing eyes.  She found herself unwavered by the elements, too fascinated in their design to be deterred by affects on her body. In moments of struggle, the antlered doe conjured vivid butterlies of all hues to flutter by and break the monotone of winter's grip. She could not sleep at night.  Llirr appreciated the rest, folding shapely legs beneath her, but she could not tear her eyes away from the sky.  Studying the map of stars and trying, in some sub-conscious way, to remember beyond the fear of falling. She knew she was unable. That this was alarming. But she would not allow that alarm to manifest.  It was unnecessary panic that added nothing to her discovery of why.  Until she could find out why, she would breathe in this life and continue her attempts to recall further. This realm was amazing. The colors and variety of dimensions and textures invigorated her.  She would find early blooming flowers and pause to marvel, tasting the clarity of snow run-off and the music of rapid water. We are home. We can rest now. Llirr stepped to the threshhold of the expanding glade, bright eyes glimmering at the tree line, and stopped, wanting to breathe the whole vision into her soul without rush.

LLIRR

Jahi

The young buck could hardly say what it was that pushed him forward to follow in the shadow of the great, flaming stag.  There were others, too, that had followed without question as if he were the messiah they all craved - did he truly harbour the answers they sought?  Could he liberate their unknown purpose and give them that reason they so eagerly pined for?  Deeper into wood and marsh he leads them, offering little rest between except what was necessary for sleep and sustenance.  Many partook that desperate respite; others lie awake, staring at the sky wondering, perhaps, what it was that had pulled them from the heavens without cause or memory.   Not a single soul here could recall their life beyond the great fall.  Ceraun was no different as he lies awake, pondering their crusade and where exactly it was that they marched to.  He was not alone listening to the world around them and the soft breathing of their slumbering kin long retired to that tempting throe of respite.  An older doe - navy black and beautiful in her own respects - often stared at the glistening stars and Ceraun found himself doing the same.  Why are we here? But the answers never came.  The sky would always retaliate with silence, glistening stars offering nothing more than what the mass of Cerulis had already known. There was no time to ponder it further as the flaming stag beckoned them to move into a colder territory.  Before long they marched into a clearing, a vast field of snow and stone that the stag declared would be their home.  He looked upon it with eager gaze, a languid smile stretching across his earthy features.  "Thank you."  Ceraun would murmur his appreciation and earnest gratitude towards the great buck who had promised them a future among the mire of the unknown.  Where the heavens had left them in ruins, he would see them to prosperity.

machoman recenzije


You actually said it adequately.