Taking it on faith

Their path had wound through the lush foliage, moving ever higher until the air grew a little thinner and the clouds became close enough to touch. Hadama pushed aside a large cluster of leaves that were nearly as large as he was and nearly stepped out over the edge of a cliff that was far higher than he had ever been before. The King paused, his habitual quiet growing deeper and somehow even more silent as he looked out over the vista spread out before and below.

It was long moments before he remembered to breathe again, and then he had to swallow against the dryness of his throat. Emotion prickled in his chest, a swell of awe and appreciation making him forget for a brief moment that he was not alone.

But soon enough he stepped carefully forward and to the right, where the ledge extended further out from the jungle and there was room for both himself and Sohalia to stand atop the cliff and look down at the world below. Puffy clouds floated peacefully below them like grazing sheep, and the Mistbanks were visible far below from the edge of the precipice...

Though the Tidebreaker did not step too close to that dropoff.

"Have you been here before?" he asked his friend when his voice returned to him, though he still spoke softly and his eyes never left the view before them.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

As they made their way higher and higher, Sohalia felt the longing to take to the skies that always came from the open sky. Her snowy owl form itched beneath her skin; perhaps, once she and Hadama had completed their talk, she could give in to the temptation to leap from the precipice, shifting as she fell to soar away on the autumn breeze.

She was content, for a moment, to allow Hadama the time and space to admire the view, which was admittedly spectacular. It was only when he spoke to her that she answered, her voice just as soft as his. "I have. I flew up here once," she explained. "It's always breathtaking." And so it was. Her own pale gaze stayed fixated on the view even as they continued to talk.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

He nodded, listening to the rush of wind, comfortable in the quiet with Sohalia near at hand. It was nice to simply be for a time, giving his attention wholly to the appreciation of Caido's wild beauty and the majesty of its creations. Stormbreak and Haulani were high above the earth, but neither offered the view that the Leap did, and for that alone their journey into the Oerwoud had been worth it.

The wind tugged at his braided hair, teasing a few steely strands free to whip around his face and the sun was warm on his skin in spite of the cold chill the air held so high up. It would not be comfortable to stay here long and at length he tilted his head towards the Luminary, though he kept his eyes on the glorious vista spread out below and stretching to the distant horizon.

"Have you had time to think about my earlier question?" His voice was a quiet, gentle rumble, curious but patient. "About choosing a co-ruler?" And the unwieldiness of a full, packed council, though he held the thought back.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Having thought of little aside from Hadama's earlier question as they climbed their way to the Leap of Faith, Sohalia was still surprised by the King's gentle query. She'd thought she might have more time to think, to consider all of the implications of choosing a co-ruler, aside from simply building a council. When she'd last ruled, it had been her alone, and she'd often felt the weight of leadership and wondered what it might be like to share it with someone. But now that she was faced with actually making that decision, it felt terrifying.

She had plans, of course. But it would only work if Koa agreed.

"I have," she said finally, her gaze lingering on the horizon. "And I will admit that there are benefits to having a co-ruler. I just wonder if the person I have in mind will agree to help me. How do you come to an agreement about something like that? What if the other person wants to rule, or doesn't want to help you, or..." She shrugged helplessly, finally glancing at Hadama. "How does it work with you and Flora?"

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

If he was surprised that she had already considered his question he did not show it in the usual way. Instead he finally turned away from the view of the Oerwoud to look at Sohalia directly, his gaze calm and considering at the revelation she imparted. As always, he did not answer immediately but instead turned her own questions around in his head for a time before giving voice to his thoughts. "Hmm. I have had three co-rulers since becoming King in Torchline." He tilted his head at his young friend, one corner of his mouth quirking in wry amusement. "And each had a different style of ruling. Maeve and I consulted each other, but ruled separately. Land and sea." Each to their own people and duties, though they worked together on regional quests for the benefit of Torchline.

The Tidebreaker's expression shifted, tightening momentarily as if in pain. "Harper and I were friends. Long before he offered to help me rule. I held a vote, to find a human co-ruler after Maeve... left. He was chosen by the landfolk to lead them." Though he certainly had Hadama's support, the vote had been fair and overwhelmingly - though not unanimously - in the Stalwart's favor. "We worked closely together. Talked almost daily, about the issues in our region. We did not always agree, but we respected each other, and found compromises through communication."

Another pause, and he let the weight of Harper's disappearance fade to the background of his thoughts, the quiet ache in his heart a lingering memory of his missing friend. His unfocused gaze returned to Soh's eyes as he tilted his head in acknowledgment of the question she had actually asked. "Now, with Flora? It works very well. But our start was... rocky." The word was chosen delicately, though the gleam of humor in emerald eyes belied how mild it was. "She wanted to rule. Very much so. And I did not... hmm. I did not think she was ready, at first," he admitted slowly. "But she convinced me to give her a chance. And I have not regretted it." Indeed, he could not be more proud of Torchline's Queen and all that she had done for their region. "We are not as close as Harper and I were. But we talk to each other, about our priorities for Torchline. Our dreams for it. And the difficulties it faces, and how to overcome them." He saw no path to co-rulership that did not begin and end with clear communication. Whether that co-rulership was a romantic partnership like Halo's Wardens or a platonic one mattered less than the trust that underlay it and the willingness to share ideas and compromise.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

It was interesting to hear of Torchline’s historical leadership, and Soh listened eagerly, drinking in the information. While she’d considered having a co-ruler even before the Family had taken over, she hadn’t really known what such a thing might entail, and it was a relief to hear that there were many different ways to make such a thing work. Although Stormbreak was different from Torchline in that there weren’t different segments to rule over - collaboration would be more likely to be effective, she thought.

”So… I guess it’s really up to us how to make it work,” she said finally, gazing out at the horizon, her brows knit in concentration. ”Do you think it’s possible to rule well beside someone who you have a… history with? One that maybe isn’t that positive?” She took a breath. ”I think - it has to be about trust and communication, right? If you have that, then surely you can overcome any obstacles? And separate out the personal from what’s best for the region?”

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

A gust of wind from the side caught his braid and tugged it, and Hadama planted his feet more firmly against its pressure. A bird flying below them cried out, a mournful call as it circled through the mist, appearing and disappearing like a spirit, and the Merking let silence fall between them as Sohalia digested his words. Emerald eyes lifted to scan the horizon, seeking the tell-tale line of blue in the distance that was the sea until she was ready to speak.

He listened solemnly to her conclusions and questions, and in the end he gave a slow nod. "Indeed." A single rumbling answer to all of her many questions before he turned to look at her, his gaze gentle. "A history does not have to be a bad thing. Not if it shows that you can disagree and still remain friends." He paused then, considering the young Luminary, and there may have been a glint of good humor in his eyes. "It sounds like you have someone in mind...?"

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Silence fell between them as she thought, and she opened herself up to her surroundings to ground herself, making note of the gust of wind whipping at her hair, the bird call from below their vantage point, the distant line of the sea on the horizon. It was all so beautiful, and from way up here, it was hard to imagine the trials and tribulations of the world far below. Maybe she could just stay here, hide away at the top of the world, live as an owl until such a time that the danger lessened and the world calmed. It would certainly be safer.

Sohalia was tired of safe.

"Koa Carpenter," she said, pushing wisps of hair from her face and tossing it over a shoulder, where the breeze could play with it without it being in her way. "We have a... complicated history," she admitted. "But he loves Stormbreak as much as I do, and I think we could work well together if he's willing to look past it."

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

An image came to mind at the name. A bright and eager young man, cocksure and earnest as he sparred with the Tidebreaker. An impatient and insistent foreign guardsman, demanding access to one of Hadama's citizens, far outside of his jurisdiction in more ways than one.

A well-meaning heart, but an untempered one. Reckless. Stubborn.

But willing to learn.

The bird called out, a mournful cry into the mist, then folded its wings and dove from view as it disappeared into the softly swirling fluff that masked the Mistbanks far below. Hadama did not turn his head to watch it go, though he listened to the fading echo of its voice before it, too, faded as it it had never been.

"Indeed," he rumbled, a quiet agreement to Sohalia's decision, almost gentle as he continued to watch the past - and hopefully future - Heart of Stormbreak. "When was the last time you spoke with him?" And on what terms had they parted?

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Sohalia watched the bird as it disappeared into the clouds, her heart singing out for to follow it into the sky. If she was alone, she’d already be gone on feathered wing, but she was glad to have Hadama with her, if only so that they could catch up on all that had transpired since last she’d seen him.

Her thoughts turned to Koa. The dragoon was special to her, but perhaps not in the way he once had been. The last time they’d met had been in Stormbreak, and he’d refused to allow her to wander the city alone. She smiled at the memory. ”It was a few seasons ago,” she admitted. ”I went to Stormbreak. I was homesick, and Koa saw me going into the city and refused to leave my side.” And then they’d spent time in her shop, and it had been… nice. Awkward, but not hostile. ”I sent him a letter recently, too. Asking him to meet with me.”

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

The smile on the Luminary's face was answer enough, and Hadama's expression softened subtly as well. He tilted his head, inviting her to explain more of that last meeting and was quietly pleased to hear of Koa's chivalry. It was a good sign, though perhaps it seemed better because he was unaware of the awkwardness that had accompanied the chance meeting.

He nodded once, deeply, with evident satisfaction at Sohalia's choice before returning his attention to the incomparable scenery. It was far better now that the Void had been cleansed from it, however temporary that state might end up being. The walk had been well worth the view at the end, regardless, but there was only so much time he could spend away from Torchline.

"Are you ready to head back?" he asked his friend, a warm rumble in his voice as he gestured to the path behind them and let Sohalia lead the way home.

~Fin