there is a sickness in the roses

Sirius Revlis · 07-01-2011, 01:08 PM

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Word Count » 3+

Near the marshes, heat hung in the air heavily, thick and moisture laden as it coated the lungs. For that reason, Sirius avoided the center of Salsola and lingered for a time closer to the coastal edges. Morning dragged on without end, and restlessness overtook the Boss.

The warm air brought with it scents of change. His spies spoke of new happenings, and as it was Salsola's business to know everybody else's business, such happenings had been swiftly prioritized. There were many who would take the opportunity to serve the Thistle King by infiltrating the new pack, but few of yet who had the talent to do so without being killed. With skillful administration, some would surely rise - He had high hopes for his niece, and perchance the silent brother of hers that Eris so adored.

For the moment, though, his unrest manifested itself into an intense desire to investigate. This was also the perfect opportunity to explore another new facet of his life, for the Revlis man was now in possession of a fine beast. The stallion had been gifted to him by a newcomer that had his Auxiliary's favor, a man by the name of Jeremiah, and vain Sirius had been rather please by the handsome beast presented to him. The creature had had a name, but names seemed unnecessary to the Boss - It was his now, another possession of the Thistle Kingdom, and it needed no name but to brand it as his own.

Larkspur had tended the stables well, but the ebony and ivory stallion grazed in the plush grasses with the Arbiter's own mare. Having ridden briefly in London, Sirius possessed the mediocre skills required to saddle the beast up and mount. By now midday had sweltered past, and afternoon coolness was again claiming the wild land known as Salsola.

Initially, the man guided his mount North-East, clinging roughly to the bayline. It had been some time since he had sat in the saddle, and the leather was uncomfortable. The horse seemed to pick up on the lacking skills of its new owner - Perhaps it had been attached to the man who owned it prior, a more skilled equestrian than the Revlis man. Filled with nervous energy, the stallion tossed its beautiful head, and the King was forced to ride at a slow pace so as to remain in control.

Soon, both males seemed to settle into the short journey. Sitting with more ease now that he had become adjusted to the swaying motion of the beast, Sirius guided the pair up to the Pictou River Delta. The water there was churning and deep, and he was forced to turn sharply North and follow its bends up out of Salsola, until it grew shallow enough for a feasible crossing. Plunging into the cool water, the ebony horse continued valiantly onward, taking easily to the treacherous land with the sure footing of one of Larkspur's beloved rams.

Having cleared Salsola, Sirius headed East, taking a path he most commonly used to skirt Inferni. The clan's borders seemed shifting and unstable, and since his run-in with the red-eyed woman, the Thistle King had been cautiously judging its volatility. Although the whisperings of this new pack foundation were alarming, the coyote clan was still their nearest neighbor, and in possession of the most dangerous reputation. Sirius would decide for himself if the new pack posed a threat - Until such a determination, it would surely be under much surveillance and scrutiny.

As they reached more mountainous terrain, he allowed the stallion its head, trusting the beast's sure-footedness. The handsome animal proved to be well adjusted to the rocky land about the base of Halcyon, and rusty as he was at horsemanship, Sirius was pleased by its capabilities. He was just making a mental note to reward Jeremiah in some manner for this steed when the stallion drew up short, tossing his dished head high. The horse's nostrils flared, ears pricked sharply as it scented the air. In that moment, Sirius too paused as his own nose detected the newcomer. They were downwind and had not been detected, but whoever approached was doing so fast, and there was little time to adjust to the situation. Taking one firm hand of the leather reins, Sirius wheeled the black beast about to face the oncoming stranger, his other hand lingering above the hunting knife strapped to his thigh.

The horse, scenting the approaching stallion before it came into view, screamed a shrill challenge and lifted in a slight rear, its hooves clattering against the somewhat stony ground.

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