fury and blades

Eira... Again warmth radiated down from the dauntless female above. Eira took comfort in the other’s blatant confidence, even rolling her small jutting shoulders as though in preparation, anticipation. Beneath the rug of insulating blue fuzz, the thin grey skin bagging her weary bones trembled wickedly—perhaps in fear of the monster they goaded, though the cave surrounding the hideous creature, the Metus, and the foul odour lacing the air too, was more than disturbing in itself. The mute child forced a smile, yes, she trusted weakly, we will. Upon the soft turf beyond that ominous, reeking rock mouth, their footfalls were thankfully silent, yet as they breeched the under-kingdom of the infamous Metus, Eira found that she could not help the soft click of her chipped, split hooves. Dark blue eyes were slow to adapt and the thin filly found herself pressing against the rigid surface of the other’s metal cladding for assurance; as they did, the shadows unveiled a scene so horrific that last, horrific memories of her parents challenged her present mind; three fragile legs sought retreat, shuffling rearward until the last bid their halt. Instinct begged her to flee, to turn without worry for the quest the Rift had forced upon her. The last cloven toe relinquished its stubborn hold on cold tile and Eira was turning with such swiftness that traction was altogether lost. She slipped and fell hard against her quaking knees, but with adrenaline engorged veins, numbed otherwise to the core, the small creature recovered in an instant and fled. So relieved was she to feel the cushion of that fogged world beyond the cave, that her soft nose dipped mid-stride to let the wild length of cool grass to whip against her. Eira reached the first corner in the winding, wicked labyrinth which had arrived her into such a perilous situation and scrambled left, drawing frail energy to whisk herself quickly away—for good. "I am a book of snow, a spacious hand, an open meadow, a circle that waits, I belong to the earth and its winter."

- Pablo Neruda, Winter Garden
Exit Eira :P