Quote:
Back-dated to sometime in April
Cashel hadn’t been thrilled with the idea.Truth be told, Hy-Brasil wasn’t sure it was the best of ideas either, but sometimes curiosity and an underlying need overtook sensible thoughts. While it had been years since she’d last ventured away from the run down castle on her Wonder, the woman continued to feel a draw to the area where she had her first fun in with the entities that called Hy-Brasil their abode. It couldn’t be their home. They didn’t belong. The Sidhe were very much like squatters in an abandoned home, except now, the home had a new owner. The new owner just needed to figure out a way to evict her troublesome visitors.
That problem was for another day, though. Instead, there was a particular goal in mind. One secreted away in the small pine grove that lay on the opposite side of the small island. The meadows of red flora were easy enough to navigate. Any Sidhe were clearly seen and avoided. It helped that Hy was no longer afflicted by their chaotic energy and thus no longer a strong attractant for them. Since the consumption of the tincture was cobbled together by the effort and aid of others, Hy had been on the road to mending. Only a shadow of that darkness hovered on her peripheral and the red-head was optimistic it would also fade with time. So, she had no interest in another run in. While she still had some of the tincture squirreled away, it was questionable that it’s healing properties would still be viable. There was very little interest in having to test its potency now.
So, as she reached the grove of tightly spaced trees, the Knight took her time to navigate through the shadowed area. It was the darkness where the Sidhe were easily hidden and the tight quarters made it difficult to react appropriately. Their dark, shadow forms could blend into the shadows of the trees with little effort though so it was best to go slow. It seemed good fortune was on her side.
The pine-needle riddled forest floor was quickly overrun by a carpet of velvety ivy as the grove of trees opened up to a circular clearing. It was exactly as Hy-Brasil remembered it as if time had not touched this part of the island. It was here that she and the Sidhe first had their run in. Her heart pounded within her own ears as she stood at the edge of the clearing, blue eyes checking the shadowed perimeter. Nothing moved. Not a shift of shadows. Either she was truly alone, or she hadn’t been spotted yet. Hy didn’t give the Sidhe enough credit for thinking beyond a hive-mind to seek out living beings. Especially those already touched by their corruption. They were more animalistic in their approach than fully sentient.
Teeth pulled at her lower lip in thought, ripping some skin in worry. Her goal lay just ahead, situated in the middle of the circular clearing. The stone bird bath was just as she remembered, nearly swallowed by the ivy that twisted and creeped around the entire area. Only peeks of the grey stone could be seen beneath the blanket of green.
A deep breath, and Hy began traipsing her way through the growth. Her boots were swallowed by the ivy. The green, crawling vines easily wrapped their way around her toes and heels. A reminder that the plants here, while beautiful, were a dangerous trap should she be attacked as she nearly tripped as one determined vine wrapped further up her boot, snagging on the laces there. Taking a moment to free herself, Hy took more care.
Upon reaching thes one bird bath, it was easy to see the wear and tear the stone structure had gone through. What was likely once, an intricately designed piece, now stood worn from the tenacious growing of the vines and weather. It was hard to tell for certain under the growth, but a chunk may have broken from the edge.
The bird bath itself wasn’t the most interesting thing though. The glistening of water under the trenched vines caught Hy’s attention. Carefully she pulled at the foliage to reveal the bowl of the piece and was taken by surprise. The water was clear. Crystal clear as if just poured into the bath without a single mote of algae to be seen gripping the stone bowl. While that was odd enough, it was what laid at the bottom of the bath that truly caught her attention.
A silver necklace lay there with an emerald green pendant as focal point. Not a lick of tarnish or erosion appeared to touch it much like the bowl of stone itself. It was like time itself had stopped under the surface of the water. Eyes locked upon the jewelry, Hy reached into the cool, clean water and grasped the chain.
The touch triggered something. Hy felt a magic shift as the necklace was pulled from the water. It took only a moment for her to realize she wasn’t alone in the clearing anymore. Her icy blue eyes raised from the pendent. Across from her, staring at her, was a stalky, white stag with natural toned antlers. His own dark eyes watched her with interest. Instinctually Hy-Brasil knew this stag meant no harm. In fact, the creature was an entity of her. A part of her magic as a Knight of Earth.
With a smile, she reached out a hand to the stag whose nostrils flared at her movement. The stag dipped his head, his soft, velvety nose pressing against Hy-Brasil’s hand as if in greeting. Hy smiled in response, her heart warming at the gentle gesture from such a powerful creature. The appearance of the summons helped wipe away the fear that sat like a yawning pit in her stomach, for now she had a means to protect herself. Another entity to watch her back. One, she inherently knew, would provide the brawn she needed.
The necklace was placed around her neck. She walked forward, running a hand along his face, down his neck and to his back. The fur was a bit coarse, but smooth. He looked back at her and watched as she hoisted herself up onto her back. The extra strength of aKnight aiding her in her mounting. “Let’s get back to the castle.” She said with fondness, as she leaned forward to balance herself, hands gripping at the short fur near his withers, just as the stag took off.
Another puzzle piece of Hy-Brasil was put back into place.
