Golden Glade cymydog

Stay and look after camp, she told Siani, before departing to scout. Hopefully, the others will come soon.

She was losing faith in the prospect, though. How could they be so behind? In the dead of winter, the two Mynydd women would not hack it on their own; they needed allies, at the very least. And in her exploration, she had found traces of another claim to their southeast.

Madhu stopped there now, dipping her muzzle down to take in the scents. A few, at least. Pushing down the uneasy feeling in her gut, she rose again and howled for their leader. 

Neighbors, perhaps allies. . .or even the means for survival, if it came to that.

@Mictec but AW

mictec heard the howl pierce the winter air, its tone measured but firm—a call not of challenge, but of intention. she paused mid-step, her marigold eyes narrowing as her ears swiveled toward the sound. the glade around her seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her decision.  

she did not hesitate long. with a slow, deliberate pace, mictec made her way toward the source, her black coat blending with the shadows that stretched across the snow. the chill bit at her paws, but she welcomed it; the cold sharpened her senses, reminded her she was alive.  

when she emerged into view, her posture was neutral but commanding, her marigold gaze fixed on the stranger with a calm intensity. she stopped a few strides away, her tail held low but steady, her voice carrying over the frostbitten silence.  

you called. i have answered.

mictec tilted her head slightly, her gaze flicking over the stranger, assessing but not unkind. speak your purpose, traveler. what is it you seek?  

her tone was not harsh, but it carried the weight of expectation.

The woman who answered might well have been the most striking individual Madhuri had ever seen. Black as night, with gimlet orange-gold eyes—and a white patch across one side of her face that lent a skeletal aspect to her visage.

After closing her mouth—which had fallen slightly agape—Madhu smiled and bowed her head in greeting, appreciating the quick response.

I am Tywysoges Madhuri Rhian verch Taliesin, of the Kingdom of Mynydd, she said, getting all that out of the way. I have been sent by my father and king to establish a foothold in these lands.

She turned and gestured to the northwest, then returned her gaze to the woman. We are settled a few hours' distance from here, so I wanted to introduce myself and discuss the possibility of an alliance, Madhuri continued. And to learn more about our neighbors, at least.

This land must be gorgeous in better weather, she surmised. Even in winter, the shimmer of snow upon the plentiful trees was nothing to turn one's nose up at.

she regarded the newcomer with an air of quiet intensity, her marigold eyes steady and unblinking as they lingered on madhuri’s bowed head.

when she finally spoke, her voice was soft yet carried the resonance of distant thunder. tywysoges madhuri rhian verch taliesin, she repeated, each syllable enunciated with deliberate care, as though committing the name to memory as her spanish tongue offered an almost melodic cadence. you carry the weight of lineage and purpose, such burdens are not placed lightly.

mictec’s gaze swept over madhuri as she spoke, taking in the rich golden hue of her fur and the striking sapphire eyes that gleamed with purpose. the contrast to the cold, snow-draped landscape was stark—she seemed like a fragment of sunlight made flesh, carrying warmth even in winter's grip. i am mictēcacihuātl itzcóatl of mictlān and the huey tlatoani of tlalticpac.

mictec’s gaze flicked briefly to the northwest, following madhuri’s gesture, before returning to meet her eyes. an alliance… she echoed, her tone contemplative, her head tilting slightly as though considering possibilities visible only to her. neighbors can be a blessing or a trial. tell me, what does your kingdom bring to these lands, aside from your foothold?