Talori Plot 401: Waves of Rebellion

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The months in captivity under the Flight had shaken Xia, a normally stubborn stallion who had always faced things with a smile and charisma. However, Xia was not a fighter, and he couldn’t use his silver-tongued talent to sway these war mongers. Who knew what would happen if he tried and failed, Xia had no training in defensive fighting, and he was blind to boot and no horse was going to wait for him to tap his cane around to find his target. His only lines of defense were his silver tongue and his blessing, and not even that blessing could work. His blessing was only strong enough to work on himself, at least that was what others had said. Erasing or locking away the memories of this event wouldn’t make his problems go away. However, perhaps erasing the memory of Thaumas being cut down in front of him, blood staining his pure white coat and hooves, would help his mental state.

As it was the stallion had simply stopped caring for himself after a couple of weeks into captivity. Each day he had hoped that Hajime had noticed his absence, that his cousin would eventually send someone to see what had happened, that his brother would try and come for him. When nothing happened, by the end of each day Xia was filled with despair. Steadily sinking into a depression, Xia now had to force himself to care for his well-being. His hair had grown out way past what it had originally been.

Today however he had seen a spark of hope. A small message from Nagisa, the Talori councilor, igniting whispers of a rebellion against the vagabonds that held them prisoner. Part of Xia rebelled, the part that existed in Briem and thought of the Pegasi as the closest race to the gods, the part that thought this imprisonment was the comeuppance that Talori deserved for its treatment of the Pegasi. The part that was crying out for his self-preservation however, was louder and won out in the end. It demanded that he go and help them, that he get home back to his family and friends, to his country. Especially after the sacrifice of the Emperor’s young daughter, he started to doubt if what the Flight had done was truly justice in the end.

A grunt escaped Xia as he attempted to navigate the terrain towards Nagisa’s hut, having cleaned himself up after days of simply not taking care of hygiene, in order to look presentable. The only thing he hadn’t done was cut his mane, he had to admit that part of him liked how long it had grown. Beside him was one of the loyal equines that had volunteered to keep watch. He detested the idea of someone helping him, however he didn’t know the way towards the councilor’s home, and required a guide.

The soft tapping of his cane around him stopped as his guide came to a halt beside him and touched his nose to the Consul’s shoulder. They were here apparently. Xia didn’t know where Nagisa was, but he dipped his head in a low bow. “Thank you for your invitation, Councilor” Xia greeted with false cheer.

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    Laurens gave a light laugh at Nagisa's remark and nodded, knowing she would continue. "I will make them feel as if though they are kings, even here" she promised, hoping that it would lift Nagisa's spirits in some way. The silver mare had always valued herself on her ability- to entertain, to advise, to do anything- but being stuck here... one could tell she was losing confidence. As for keeping Thadeus at bay... that may prove to be more difficult. The mare pressed her head into Nagisa's shoulder, hoping to reassure or comfort her in some way. "It shall be done, Nagisa." 
    Laurens walked gently into the hut that was their home ever since Laurens made it into the city. It was the morning after she had been blessed (finally!) by the wave mother. Even after being trusted into the city, Nagisa was lost to Laurens, then she found her and the world seemed to have light again. and then she met Thadeus, whose lineage was unquestionable. For a while, they were happy, or maybe the better word was distracted. Thadeus was a wondrous boy, but he was also a boy. 
    There was a table in the middle of the room, now neatly set with a dark blanket as a table cloth, neatly draped over the edges. In a line along the middle of the table were three bowls of whatever Laurens could find, which happened to be dried fruit as well as some crackers she'd found. A pitcher of water, much dingier than she'd of liked, was sat on the table, too, along with some cups for the guests. Laurens placed a few shells along the refeshments, hoping to remind them of their home, of the coast, of what they were fighting for. She stepped back and looked proudly on her work. Given the circumstances, they would have expected much less than this.
    While she'd been preparing their home for guests, he must have woken. He was listening at the window, and when Laurens turned around, he was heading to bust through the door. Laurens clumsily ran out after him, kicking up a blanket behind her in the rush. "You can?" the colt belted out, ultimately surprising the current guests. Laurens quickly hushed him, trying to coax him back inside. The boy was adamant, though, "No, Ana! He said he can show me my father!" he contested, fighting through the barrier she'd made. 
    It was then that Laurens saw who Thadeus was talking of. She looked immediately to Nagisa. While Laurens had never met the ambassador, Nagisa's hatred for him was apparent, and Laurens knew what he did. The sickly thing he'd done. The mare didn't know what to do. She apologized to Nagisa profusely. She had one job, and she failed. Laurens pleaded with the colt to go back inside, but ever stubborn was he- wonder who he got it from? 

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Note: Who the heckie is Thadeus, you ask? Why it's none other than the previously know Theon! Same kid, new name, per Chipo's request!!

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The flaring tempers were starting to get on Xia’s nerves in all honesty. This situation needed to be resolved now or they were going to get nowhere. There was a time and a place for this kind of fight and right now, when they were supposed to be planning a rebellion, was not the time. Xia had been stuck here for three months with absolutely no sign of his king or anyone from Breim coming to rescue him. If they weren’t going to come for him, then he would just to get out of this situation by himself with the help of the other rebels. Once he got home, he was going to give Hajime a piece of his mind.

Just as Xia was about to speak up, the words died in his throat at the sound of tiny hooves thundering on wood. A child? The white stallion closed his mouth and looked back to Nagisa, listening to the high-pitched voice of the young one, asking Fijalahr if he can really show him his father. The Consul hadn’t realized that Nagisa had a child. When said child was reprimanded, even Xia flinched at the tone of Nagisa’s voice. ‘Well, as if things could not get any better.’ the stallion thought sarcastically, schooling his features to make sure he didn’t look as disappointed as he felt.

Color Xia pleasantly surprised when things did get better because of the little colt. Though it was obvious that Nagisa still harbored bitterness in her heart for the War-Forged ambassador, she had allowed Fijalahr to take part in their planning session. A faint sigh of relief escaped the Consul as he followed the other equines inside the hut.

Xia tapped his cane as he navigated behind them, hearing their hooves thud against the thick wood of the flooring. However, when his sharp ears caught a scratching noise, Xia stopped at the side of the table and tilted his head. What a curious noise. The sounds of scales scraping against wood, a rustle of wings. Xia wondered what it could possibly be. Perhaps a snake? However, what were the wings? He knew pegasi wouldn’t be allowed to step foot in this hut, so surely not a Pegasus.

With a mental shrug of his shoulders, Xia tapped around the table, looking to find somewhere to sit. The others had taken their seats while he had been distracted by whatever large creature that was now settled somewhere nearby, thanks to the rather large thump it had left when hitting the ground.

Xia finally found a place to sit when his cane hit a pillow and a rather soft body next to it. “Apologies” he muttered to the equine beside him, which from what he could smell, was another hippocampus. Ciardha, his mind supplied. It had to be Ciardha. He settled down on the pillow next to Ciardha, laying his cane beside his body.

With rapt attention, Xia listened to the others. The stallion nodded along when Fijalahr made his statement. It was a good suggestion. Being part of the Royal Family meant that Xia had a fair amount of schooling, but the ways of battle tactics had been a very brief subject during his time at school. Perhaps a new subject to be brought up with King Hajime.

The white hippocampus let out a hum of thought. “Perhaps we can use a distraction?” he suggested, looking aimlessly. He hadn’t heard where Nagisa had settled, so he couldn’t quite turn his head toward her. “Something big enough to draw the Flock’s attention. Have them group up in one place so that they may be surrounded? It will also give civilians ample time to flee into the wild, while the Flock’s warriors are busy engaging the Guardians.” Xia explained.

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Xia listened with interest at Laurens’ interjection. “Please, go on, tell us more about your thoughts. It is a good strategy, and one we may sorely need.” He told the mare, giving her a charming smile. A spy, an interesting tactic. Xia hadn’t thought of that before. Though he was quite the ambitious stallion, he hated resorting to under-handed tactics. But, all is fair in love and war, as they say. If they were going to escape the city, then under-handed tactics would be required of them. In the silence, the Consul slid deep into his thoughts about who they should send.

None of the Hippocampi could take up the task, for the Flock hated those born with fins most of all, so that ruled out Nagisa, Ciardha, and himself. Though he couldn’t see the two councilors, he knew the Talori’s prejudice of the Pegasi prevented any of the winged equine from holding positions of power.

Fijalahr was out of the question immediately. The War-Forged Ambassador had pulled quite the stunt with trying to resurrect the Defender’s body with his necromancy. It was unlikely any of the Flock would forget his face, especially since their group been face to face with their leader and what Xia supposed was his second in command when the Defender was brought to his knees.

Xia didn’t know what kind of equine Luna was, but it was safe to say she wasn’t a pegasi, thanks to her being let in here and not locked out in the cold, as well as Nagisa’s warm attitude toward her. Laurens herself was also a good match for the role of spy, possibly. Thanks to his lack of vision and lack of knowing the mare, he had no idea what race of equine she was.

The stallion was unconsciously chewing on the inside of his cheek when he suddenly heard Ciardha bark out a call at something, startling the Breiman from his thought. He whipped his head over to where he heard the call from. Now that he was paying attention, he could hear soft voices conversing outside of their hut. He looked worriedly at Ciardha, then to the rest of their group. His breath was caught in his throat, trying to keep quiet so he could hear the muffled voice better.

In his mind, he prayed to Argus and Alya for protection, praying that they hadn’t been caught by one of the Flock’s patrols. He was so close to finally going home, to his family and friends that he’d been missing for nearly three months. Dying here, in a country he barely knew with people who didn’t know his country’s customs, was a terrifying thought.

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