A Brief Visit {Private}

Froya | Valkyrie

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    In recent days, Froya made a point to stay close to the fortress. Normally she was near constantly being sent out on missions by Hira, but her Lord had granted her pardon for the current week as the Breiman Ambassador was expected back from her assignment. The Valkyrie had returned from Aquore only a month previous and had missed the closing of fall and near entirety of winter. Onea’s cold bite was harsh on her when she returned, her winter coat had not grown in properly during her stay in the hot tropical climate. The hair had come in patchy, thick in parts and thin like a summer coat in others. After a decent amount of grooming and time to allow her body to re-adjust to Onea’s seasons, her coat was growing in a much more consistent way. Though, it wasn’t fully recovered from the affair.

As expected, Clarke was not waiting for Froya when the Valkyrie returned. Just before the warrior had been sent away alongside her shield sisters to investigate the disappearance of Ambassador Fijalahr, Hira had approved Clarke to be assigned as the new Ambassador to Breim. It was a decision Froya didn’t personally understand. Like many of her herdmates, she was somewhat suspicious and distrustful of Argus and his people. Furthermore, Onea was the only place Froya ever truly wanted to be. Clarke, however, appeared to feel quite stifled in their homeland and Froya had no desire to bar her from wanderlust if it would provide the mule any relief.

Before the spotted mare had departed, the pair had agreed to be wed during the next Flower Festival. It was a memory that stirred an odd feeling of joy in the Valkyrie’s gut. Never had she felt about another equid as she felt about Clarke, and the development of the bond had surprised even Froya herself. Because of her rank and values, Froya had lost any expectation to one day marry, but had especially not anticipated to wed a mare. Unconventional as their relationship was, and coupled with Froya’s absolute lack of experience, the situation left the warrior feeling more confused than she had been since her youth. Still, she found solace in Clarke and felt resolute in her decision to dedicate herself to the mule.

During her time in Aquore, Froya and her shield sisters had aligned themselves with Breimans that shared the same goal. They too had lost contact with their Ambassador for months and were sent to investigate and retrieve the Consul if possible. The majority of their interactions revolved around the mission at hand; but when the situation allowed, Froya learned much about the society and culture of Breim through her temporary companions. In the end, the Valkyrie considered the Breimans decent people and was hopeful for her partner to settle into her new position comfortably. However, upon her return and report to Hira, she learned that Clarke had sent a request for reassignment. The news was bittersweet, as it meant Clarke would return to Onea, but also that she had not found her place in Breim. It was expected that Clarke would be transferred to the newly available rank of Aodhian Ambassador, but first Hira had to evaluate what the mule had learned in Breim. Though the Valkyrie was disappointed to hear Clarke would not be staying permanently in Onea, she was grateful that she had to come home to report (even if the stay would be relatively short). Besides, she knew her fiance would prefer to continue her travels. Aodh, at least, was a strong ally and a land Froya had visited in her youth during her apprenticeship under Hira. Valore was not a city that suited Froya, but she could see Clarke being happy there, or entertained at the very least. Nevertheless, that was all still to be decided and mulling over it, before the mule’s arrival and Hira made her verdict, was pointless.

Still, the thoughts swam and clouded Froya’s mind as she stared into the fire in the hearth before her. She had been here a while now, captured by the comforting warmth of the flame and turning her thoughts over carefully in her mind. Her eagerness to see her partner had been rising in waves as Clarke’s estimated arrival grew closer, but now it would swell up in her chest and throat unexpectedly and the Valkyrie would have to fight to subdue it. Seeking solitude, Froya had taken a walk in the drizzle of the morning, despite the chill. Timing her arrival to that of when most of the Valkyries were training, she had found the fire in the Valkyrie garrison unaccompanied. Her gear was already dried and put in their places now and what cloth items she had were strung up nearish to the fire. The Valkyrie shook herself. Long dry and soothed by the flame, she was still pensive and eager… but a bit less anxious. She knew her shield sisters would back soon and she didn’t want to be disturbed in this mood. Testing the dampness of her cloak and gambeson, she deemed them dry and began folding them. An ear twitched as stray drops tapped at the window; the whispered melody of swift approaching rain.

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Post: 1
Word Count: 873