Reyson had followed and traveled and he made it to the pack of Akashingo. Upon his entering, his heart skipped a beat and then tightened and he almost gagged. There was so much, frivolity and he just didn't know where to go or what to do. There wasn't really a rhyme or reason to their ways at least not to the hardened soldier.
So with trepidation he moved further into the center of the Mesa, eyes all around him. Trying to keep those that led him here in sight, he didn't wish to get attacked by someone for loitering or being past a territory line that wasn't his.
He briefly thought of the princess
@Makono that had promised she'd be here when he arrived, but he hadn't seen her since they got there.
lots of tags for reference <3
so her father was wedded.
she had not forgotten this gift she would be giving to him and his new bride. she knew such a task could be trusted to @Khaba and @Jakoul. @Senmut could oversee it some as well.
none of this would be given to him with her forgiveness.
her feelings and her politics did not cross tonight.
she spotted reyson, though, and some part of her hear thundered dully. was @Germanicus here as well? so unbecoming, to shove one good man aside for hopes of another.
it is good to see you here.
she felt somehow so much further aged than the last time she had seen the warrior. perhaps it showed, in the heavy gaze she wore.
Reyson turned at her words and dipped his head gently. Hello Princess. Thank you. There is a large difference here inbetween our worlds. Our Imperator apologizes that he cannot make it yet, but that he will visit after the wedding. I was tasked to share this with you.
Reyson looked around him, a little gobsmacked as it were. Tell me if you can what is expected of visitors for royal weddings? I have never been?
Reyson studied the wolves that were coming and going. He would much rather be on guard duty than peruse and make small talk.
Is there a wall I can hold up or a place i can guard?
she was prepared to humble, to soothe and assure. akashingo was surely overwhelming at its peak to anybody not from here! especially a warrior!
only she felt some grim loosening of her heart that the imperator would not be here tonight. he had plans for a visit beyond the wedding.
she felt a childish flare of jealousy in her heart, quickly stamped out in favor of directing their conversation elsewhere.
it is my first, scutarius.
she laughed, poised and trained. first or not she felt well in her element here.
have you met any of the mazoi? they may be more your speed. one does not talk and the other hardly bothers to.
Reyson wasn't sure if he could put into words how Akashingo made him feel, but it was not a pleasant feeling. He felt at odds without routine and other warriors and there was so much noise, and movement. He would adapt though, that was what a good soldier did.
Reyson frowned. Mazoi are the servants you spoke of in Mereo? I have not seen anyone, but my own party and you thus far.
Reyson shifted, his body moving to shield her's from the movements of others, there was no untoward motion with it, and truth be told he hadn't even realized he had done it, but it was a training ingrained upon him from youth.
Where this princess was taught court politics, and how to soothe and make other's adore. Reyson was taught blood and bone and death.
no,
she sought to correct him with a warm smile.
the fellahin are the ones tending to the feasts and guests. the mazoi are our warriors, hunters, scouts.
she felt emboldened by his defensive stance of her. even moreso by knowing the man already, well before he had come here to attend the wedding.
what keeps the imperator away?
He perked his ears forward at her no, and paid more attention. Listening. Wondering. Who were they then? He was racking his brains, trying to remember what she had said of them.
You have warriors?
He then looked around, trying to spot them, hunters he could understand, scouts even, but if they had their own soldiers why did they constantly need theirs? It was a confusing arrangement to the beast.
Reyson shook his head. I cannot answer that, as I do not know. I was just tasked to give a message. I am not a confidant of our imperator. That would be a question for Maxim, or Towhee.
every good place does. akashingo is just simply not a place of only the military.
she was warm, inviting the conversation. although as her eyes swept around them, she wondered why the hulking soldier did not dare to mingle more.
honey and berries could ease his edge.
the wellspring would be a sight for him!
i appreciate it all the same. will you walk with me?
she gestured towards the path that would lead them to the springs.
Reyson was out of his depth here. He was under the assumption however incorrect that it maybe, that he was there for a mission of guardian? Isn't that why they were all here? To add bodies and strength?
He had smelled the honey and berries the fermentation upon them, and it had caused him to sneeze. He was not one to indulge in such things, mostly because he was afraid of what he may or may not do, and if he couldn't react because his senses were dulled.
He nodded. I will walk with you.
He shifted his stance and returned on her side, closest to the most bodies. Taking up the guard stance and the brunt of the bodies as they pushed upon him, though he did not know into her.
she led them along to the wellspring.
fresh water, lotus floating upon it. a fellahin waited and welcomed them with a wide, warm smile.
you should swim. it is good for the aches of soldiering.
or so she had heard, perhaps expected. it had soothed her after her journey from mereo.
perhaps it would lighten the moody man she took the company of.
He followed behind her, with each paw step, the noise got quieter and the bodies lessened. He allowed one side of his maw to tick upwards and then down. She stopped and he stared at the water. Then the other beast there.
Why is there a flower in it?
He looked to both of them unsure. Then he dipped his muzzle. We used water often when we would strain our bodies in combat.
He stepped into the water and then moved boldly forward, using strong, sure strokes. Blue eyes wide for a moment, then he closed them to enjoy just for a moment. He did a few more strokes, and then calmly floated, staring up at the sky.
was the soldier nervous from a flower?
because it is natural.
she assured him with a warm smile. watching him for a moment, as he made the wellspring a swimming pool.
does mereo have a proper place to swim? i cannot recall.
she waded in after him.
Reyson wasn't nervous, he just didn't understand the point. Not to mention he didn't want it to be something that was going to render him useless or dead.
Reyson got next to the flower and sniffed it. The color probably contrasting with his fur and face, but he didn't care. He couldn't quite place the scent of it.
Reyson shrugged a shoulder. Unfortunately I am not certain. We have deeper sections of river to swim in, but if we have an actual swimming hole. That I am unsure of. Do you like to swim. Princess?
it cleanses me of a day. it rights all. what is not to like about it?
she smiled. then ushered off the nearby fellahin to gather food and berries. a meal for when they had finished their swim. she would not hear any protests against it.
it would be easier to entertain the scutarius out here, where the crowd was lacking.
i would like to hear your goals in mereo, scutarius.
she was warm when she spoke, a small smile tugged at her features. did you rise more while i was away?
Reyson smiled. I am sure I could find many reasons to give, but that seems wrong on a day of festivities, so I will kept them to myself. Though I do like to swim as well. I like many things, that challenge my body. Mountain climbing, etc.
Reyson was about to argue about making the Fellahin leave, but he realized he couldn't really. Princess Makono was to be treated respectfully and if she wanted a meal then she would get one.
Reyson sighed. I didn't have any at first arrival, but now it is nice to be climbing ranks again. Though no I have not climbed any higher. Though I would like to. I recently had a tactical mission and this is also part of my watch in a way. This mission is to help me rise.
tactical mission.
she found herself enamored. intrigued. curious.
and what tactical missions are done to help one rise?
a brow perched over lapis eyes. she swam out a bit further and deep, allowing the water to lap over her shoulder blades.
Reyson knew questions were coming. The princess seemed thrilled to know as much as she could of the land of Mereo. Why he didn't quite know. If it was curiosity or for some mission of her own. or if the Pharoh wanted to know, but needless to say. He didn't necessairly mind sharing. Just had to be mindful of what he shared.
There are many and it depends on what you wish to do. I am going for Warrior. So my tests are those of physical drive and discipline.
He watched as she swam further out, but he stayed put, wanting to be respectful as he could.
I climbed the walls of Mereo and back down.
fade? <3
an impressive feat!
she beamed at him. the smile of a well trained princess. but there was something genuine in there. enchanted by a man willing to risk his life to prove something.
was it not the wish of every great royal?
regardless, she was happy. happy to entertain him one on one for as long as she could.
Certainly <3
Reyson would pass a few more momemts of time with the princess. Then he would be on his way. Back to the party and the noise. Perhaps he'd meet with someone else, perhaps he'd find a spot and dig in to sleep.