FOUND FIRES;

I nodded to Korri as he finished, or rather added a positive twist to a rather morbid sentence. It would be morbid if one were new here, that was. I could empathize with the feeling of despair at learning that you were never going to return home again, see your friends, your family, your lover, your sons or daughters. Coming to the Rift, we left all that we had ever known behind, and it was indeed a gut wrenching feeling - at first. But though there was a brief time when I’d felt that all hope was lost, like I had reached the bottom of the ocean with no possibility of rising to the surface, of feeling the air rush into my lungs ever again, hope was there. I could not see it, but soon it enveloped me in its warm embrace, and I found my place here. That I would not trade for anything in the world. There was a place in the Rift for all, and as long as it was in my control, Halyven would be that place. Certainly this mare standing before me would fit in among our ranks, whether she wished to heal or craft or fight. We were her family now. Her home, should she choose to accept it.  I was glad to hear Baal’s decision: she would return to Halyven with us. Fortunately, she seemed to speak it with confidence, an indication that she was accepting of her fate. Her smile hid away whatever pain she might have felt, but it also reflected how keen she was to join our herd. There was a gleam of approval in my eyes as I offered for Baal and Korri to return to the city with me. “Rest assured that there is a home for you here. We should get going - your family eagerly awaits.” With that, I turned back toward the city walls, and began to make my way back in the direction I’d come. My morning stroll could wait. After a few seconds of walking, my antlered head swung back and then forward again with the rhythm and ease of a pendulum, just to make sure that the others were following.

@Baal @Korri <3