"In this life, there are many paths to walk and choices to make. Each step we take brings yet another challenge and ultimately we must all face a battle," his mother pursed her lips and turned her gaze towards him. Brow furrowed, her now matured features still maintained their beauty but a new found wisdom could be seen within the depths of her eyes and the often unreadable expression. "We must choose between what is right and what is easy - if you wish to remain a child then you will flee down a path that others would deem undesirable." She shook her head and offered a very gentle smile.
"Your father was not being critical, nor was he thrusting you into a corner but he does want you to understand the complexity of the situation we now find ourselves in." To say the situation was complex was an understatement. The spirits had been anxious and word from Cyn had already reached those of the Islagiatt that lived high upon the slopes. The storm was coming and the 'war' that Cyn had described was vast approaching - while Yei as a mother was not pleased by those who had been chosen...as an elder she understood how necessary it all was.
It had been with the birth of her eldest child, Ambroise that she had met Cyn Generis and it had been the farseeing stallion's premonition and his choice of name that had alerted her to how genuinely important it was for her beloved children and her mate to be prepared. Up until that point she had never been aware of the delicate threads that bound those that existed on the slopes - each of their fates remained intertwined and it was through the test of one...that others found their true strengths too.
"We have known for a long time that the stallion that saved your father was possessed by many demons and haunted by many spirits, however, it was only as of late that he was granted the sign that enabled him to leave these lands." Ah yes, Azumoth had been waiting for many years for this moment. Like many (including Yei) he had been aware of what he was looking for until the moment he found it...it was only now that such a complex set of pathways were set to converge. "Soon he will return and in his wake he will wrought destruction upon the land."
"Provided that he is not halted in his advance."
"Precisely," the mare looked towards her son and released another soft sigh, he was the only one of her children who had not spread their wings and flown away. He had always been attached to the slopes, had studied under his father's careful eye and had been in preparation for such a trial before he had even been aware of how to walk. His mother had to admit that he was strong and had the prowess of his father but she wasn't entirely sure that this would be enough. She had seen the haunted eyes of Azumoth and the incredibly strength that lurked within such a dark form.
Honorable he might have been but that didn't mean he would hold back.
"Father has already informed me that he has taken to the low lands in an attempt to track his movements," Ambroise pursed his lips in much the same fashion of his mother as he walked towards the edge of the ravine and peered out across the territory that would soon be passed to him. It wasn't that his parents were retiring, but they understood that it was necessary for new generations to have their own level of responsibility so that they could mature and grow themselves. These lands were his...if he could save them. "There have been murmurs and deep unrest in the forests below, the disturbances have not been normal as of late."
Yei could do nothing more than stare, had it really been so long already?
"He believes that Azumoth has already returned," Ambroise continued in his level tone, expression remaining stoic as he fixed his gaze upon the great expanse of forest below.
"And you believe you are ready?" Yei enquired softly, joining her son as she turned her gaze upon the lowlands. It had been a long time since she had last visited such a beautiful place. No doubt the meadows had changed considerably and there would once again be many more soquili upon the plains. Ideally, she should have kept up her visits but circumstances had changed to the point that she really didn't have the opportunity at this precise moment in time...After all, she had to prefer her own herd for an assault that few would be aware of.
...Ah, how lucky the lowland soquili were - entirely aware of the drama and threats that came from above.
"I will know that when I see him," Ambroise had learnt well and as such, chose not to proclaim any great amount of strength or prowess. Cyn had warned him of the strength of the 'demon' he was to face, it was a trial that would force him to prove both his courage and prowess. Cyn had mentioned that if he could stand against this beast then he would be a true adult and therefore would be prepared for his responsibility...but he hadn't exactly informed him of what he faced. A demon yes, but the skills of that demon?
...Well he wasn't sure.
"You know where to wait, correct?" She hadn't been told, once again this plan had been orchestrated by the Angeni long ago. He had explained the duty of her son to her, had aided Grencia in instructing him in the art of aerial combat but the rest of the details had been kept from her. Perhaps she was destined to perform another task and therefore worrying over her herd's well being anymore than she already did would simply hinder her.
"Yes," he heaved a sigh as though the weight of the world was upon his shoulders. He had been fine until now, he had been calm and prepared for the trials that lay ahead. However, as the time drew nearer and the atmosphere became more foreboding he at last understood why Cyn had warned him that such a trial could not be taken lightly. Ambroise was not invincible, he was not emotionless - he was a living creature and born from a family renowned for its honor and spirit. For him not to be worried would indicate that he was ill prepared - perhaps the twisting in his stomach was a good sign then?
"Mother..." it was the first time his voice had quavered and those hardened eyes seemed to widen uncertainly. "If something goes wrong," he knew she would wince at it but it had to be said, "Tell my brothers I wish I had known them better." There were always regrets in a mortal's life and it was only as they faced a dramatic trial that they came to surface. In truth, Ambroise had always wondered what it would have been like to be 'free' like his siblings - they had known doubt seen much. However, at the same time he had no regrets in the sense that he had been chosen for a reason...at least this way his siblings would stay safe too.
"I would like to think they know you well enough, Ambroise." Yei replied softly, it was true that he hadn't played much with his siblings due to his father and Cyn's insistance on having him study but the bond between her children was still strong. Wanderers they may have been but there was no doubt in her mind that they would return if any of the family needed help. Admittedly, she would rather they stayed as far away from home as possible right now but when had the spirits ever played her game?
"Then tell them I say goodbye," refraining from hearing his mother's response, he gave the mare a gentle nudge upon the nose and unfurled his wings. It was then and only then that he gave a rakish smile that was so like his father's and flung himself from the ledge. Yei had long since learned not to panic and simply watched as her son carried himself off towards the mists and to the pinnacle of the Kawani mountains.
It was then that the mare was left alone.
"Do not even dare to take them away from me," she whispered softly.
