As the inky expanse of night throws shadows over the land, Akanthe wades into the water of the lake, welcoming the gentle embrace. The area is just a short distance from their "camp", so to speak, but quiet enough that she cannot hear the hum of conversation over the sound of the coming night. The water twists and twines through her fur; it caresses her as adoringly as a mother would her little girls. She closes her eyes and breathes out a prayer in thanks to Her for the gifts of strength and tenacity, as well as the courage and devotion to see her through.
The Amazon smiles as she steps carefully along the silty bottom. It is not the sand she is used to; it sticks like an ooze to her paws, and squishes between her toes, but she does not mind. She stops when all but her neck and head are submerged, and looks out to the West. Mother Moon is absent tonight, but she can still feel Her in her heart; even the Great Ones must find rest during their eternal vigils, this she knows.
Quietly, Akanthe begins to sing a sweet song in the old tongue, and though she cannot carry a tune as well as some of her fellow Sirens, her voice still rings clearly out across the waters.
Her great grandmother had been known for many things, but most of the stories told were of her actions as Matriarch—then called Siren Queen—of Sirensong Cove. But Aktaiê had grown to know the softer side of her namesake, the tenderness that the stoic woman reserved for those of her own blood; she had grown up listening to the haunting lullaby of the former Queen. Most sirens were blessed with the gift of song, but others had been blessed with more talent than others; and her great grandmother had been one of them. She didn't think much of her own voice, but she had grown up singing with the Queen.
Night always filled her with energy, though peace had been found within the deep waters of the lake. Their mission, although urgent, seemed less desperate; with their numbers growing, they could afford to renew themselves and rest their weary paws. It wouldn't be long before they reached the shore they had journeyed for. She inhaled the cool lake air, missing the brine, but feeling refreshed all the same. As she padded gently along the shore, a melody lured her into the shallows of the starlit water.
She had almost missed Akantha's dark form against the blackness of the lake, the moon absent from the sky. For a moment, she stood nearby and listened, the water lapping gently against her elbows and underbelly. Then, taking a breath, the priestess harmonized — feeling, suddenly, as if she were home.
"Τα αστραφτερά αστέρων όλα για το λαμπρό φεγγάρι, aπόκρυψη φωτεινά πρόσωπά τους, όταν είναι πλήρης-περιστοιχισμένη και υπέροχη..." She sang with her inked nose raised to the darkened sky, and hazel eyes gently closed. It formed as a sweet lullaby on her lips, passed down through the generations; no doubt familiar to even the the most novice of the Initiates. A simple homage to Her in her hour of rest.
Akantha pauses only to draw breath. She can hear the disturbance of the waters nearby, indicated by a twitch of a swarthy ear, but she does not turn to address the other. Aktaiê's voice, clear and beautiful, raises to join her own and Akantha feels only joy. "Στον ουρανό Εκείνη επιπλέει, πλημμυρίζοντας το σκιασμένο γη με σαφή ασημένιο φως." She croons the last few words, matching Aktaiê's cadence while her eyes flash open to scan the heavens with desire.
The Amazon turns with a smile to face Aktaiê, and bows her head low to her sister. "It reminds me of home," She remarks as she casts her gaze across the dark waters only for a moment. "The song." A beat as she turns back to meet the sea-green gaze of the High Priestess. "She will be glad for our presence again; we're are as sore without Her, as She us."
As they sang together, the tawny priestess couldn't help but sway with the cadence of the lullaby, sending ripples over the surface of the lake as she moved. Her teal eyes met the moonless night in devotion, then closed in emotion as they honored their resting deity. It was a song that babes heard as they fell asleep, taught of their Great Mothers before they could even truly hear. Nothing could comfort her more, with the exception of the Sea and the sound of her waves, of her gently lapping tides.
Their last notes twisted and tangled, each complimenting the other, until both faded into the stars. Aktaiê opened her eyes, gazing over the water's surface for a moment, drinking in the echo and resonance of their Mother's touch. At her companion's words, the priestess turned and shared her own smile, nodding in agreement of their nostalgia. It would be a long time before this northern coast would hear the thousands of voices raised to the night in devotion, but with their growing number, Aktaiê was certain the Wilds would soon tremble in the shadow of their empire.
"She will be glad for our presence again; we're are as sore without Her, as She us." To these words, the High Priestess bowed her head, suddenly solemn in her agreement, "This is known." Her heart ached for the scent of brine, the taste of seal, the feel of salt in her fur. "We will turn north soon, when Mother Moon returns, and casts her light brighter to lead us. Let the weary rest, and then we will go."
There was a small pang of regret that resonated in her heart; leaving home was never easy, but it was surely more difficult on the Nereides than most. Akantha was growing to realize it would be many, many moons before she would see the Coast again, if she ever did. The tides would come and go without her there to see them, and it felt equal parts right and wrong. She could not be certain what fate had in store for her beyond what Aktaiê and Psamathe would decreed upon their arrival to these new shores.
But her Sisters always brought her comfort; Aktaiê's words doubly so. The Amazon reached turns and reaches out to brush her muzzle against the High Priestess' cheek. "I do not See as our sister does, but I can feel a great many things destined for us. Good things." She admits in a low voice, glancing over to the group before returning her attention to Aktaiê again. "How are you holding up?" She asks.
Aktaiê returned the affectionate nuzzle, her spirit filling with the swelling presence of her sisters. The journey had been trying for all of them; to remain between homes for so long was difficult, particularly when they were forced to be without the comforting presence of the Sea. That it would be over soon made the waiting even worse; they were so close, and ever fiber of her being wished to run until it was. But it would do none of them good if they ran themselves exhausted.
She spoke to Akantha, allowing herself the comfort of speaking to her fellow siren as a sister, as an equal... though she took care in her words, for even now, she carried the burden of leadership. Their conversation ended when dawn began to paint the horizon, and weariness began to overtake them. With a brush of shoulders, they said brief farewells and went to their beds.