Meeting Hadama took more time than it used to, but the once-mer was as punctual as he could be.
Noah waited for the man outside of his hunting lodge, talking idly with other hunting parties as they worked on starting out to the tundra. Finally, when Hadama did appear, Noah turned and stepped towards him with a broad smile. "I hope the travel was easy." He said, extending his hand towards the king. "And that the legs are treating you well." He gave a wink to the new demi as he nodded towards the legs, which did seem to be treating him well.
"We've seen some evidence of more of those frostblooms throughout the tundra, so I thought that we could head out and dig up another one of those." Noah said, leaning down to grab some tools and hoist them over his shoulder. This time, the demigod equipped himself with a long-handled shovel with a sharp head, so he wouldn't have to use his spear to dig. the forsaken
It was his first opportunity to see Noah's home in person, and he had needed a guide across the Greenwing so that he would not be lost on the journey from the skyport. They had moved quickly over the hard-frozen snow, somewhat to Hadama's surprise, but he had savored the new views of a part of the region he had never seen before.
He met his friend with an arm-clasp that was firm and strong, the King well-bundled up now that he was no longer part of the Academy's blessing. Emerald eyes twinkled beneath a knitted cap and the corners of his lips curved up in a smile that was small but sincere. "Noah," he rumbled warmly. "It has been too long." The smile widened subtly as he inclined his head in acknowledgment. "They have been the most useful of Safrin's gifts."
Falling in beside his friend, the Tidebreaker nodded in appreciation of Noah's preparations. He once again carried a terrarium in the large pack on his back - the same one they had used before, now that its original occupant had gone on to a greater service. "Mmh. And destroy the rest," he agreed, sharing a look with his fellow demigod that held the stubborn determination to protect their people that both men held. "Lead the way, please. How have you been this season?" It was perhaps more chatty than the once-Mer was with most people, but Noah was a friend who had long since earned Hadama's trust and the lowering of his defenses.
"Yes, destroy the rest. This time Halo needs one, too, if you wouldn't mind sharing space in your pack until we can get it to the Citadel. Deimos has containers in their offices for the void creatures we must collect. Rae is going to give our springs certain healing properties against them." Which, given that the men had agreed to collect a specimen again for Torchline, meant that they were doing something along the same lines. Or perhaps extending their barrier of protection -- Noah hadn't asked for details. He trusted Hadama to either give them at the forefront, or fill in the spots as they went along.
With his shovel over his shoulder, Noah led the way with a swift but focused gait. "I've been busy. Focusing on this task. Trying to recover from the tournament, and the meeting." Read: Noah felt about the size of a field mouse these days. "You seem busy as well."the forsaken
"Of course." For once he did not need to think about his words. Strengthening both of their regions against the Void helped everyone, creating pockets of safety in case of another disaster like Starfall. Hearing about the Springs was welcome news indeed, and Hadama nodded in satisfaction. "Very wise. We have asked for Vi's protection of the Arclight. So the Mer and our waters will be as free from the corruption as Haulani now is." And it would hopefully slow the encroachment of Void taint from the Feverlands and Oerwoud through the ocean, too. That left only the Ahi Coast...
Once the current quest was complete. But there was still much to do for it.
Noah had his own trials of late and Hadama tilted his head in sympathy as they headed off across the Tundra. Those long legs he had acquired kept a steady pace at his fellow demigod's side, and he carried the large terrarium without showing outward effort. "Indeed. It is... not always easy. Reconciling being a demigod and a leader," he admitted quietly to one who he knew would understand. "How was it for you, when you were Warden?"
“Good for you, and for Torchline. You’re vigilant to be doing this, with Starfall in your waters. I can imagine that is quite terrifying.” Noah said with a grimace of the truth of it. For as brave as the Forsaken could appear, having the imminent threat of their world in his backyard could bring him to a point of fear that he had never experienced if he would let himself dwell on it. “Vi’s power will sustain you.” He added, though, a confident nod in his patron that solidified why his own heart was not yet totally corrupted by the fear.
Heading into the tundra, Noah led them to where the reports of the last frost blooms had been. Although those hunters had extinguished as many as they could, Noah had an inkling that their roots went much deeper than the fire and ice they had used could reach. “Admittedly, I did not hold my seat long. Halo needed leaders who couldn’t be as easily commanded to new stations by the gods. Deimos and Evie have been wonders in promoting and elevating the values and history of this region with a great deal of innovation, even though they have not lived here their whole lives. It may have been different for me, had Vi been the patron of Halo as Safrin is with Halo.” Safrins interests had been in the tropical region for a long time, which gave Noah a great deal of hope in Hadamas long term service to his homeland, and sea.
Rounding into a particularly windy portion of the Tundra, Noah pointed out some frostblooms. Their purple glow was unmistakable. Closing the distance to them, the demigod started the harvest that no longer mattered oops and then stepped back for Hadama to express some divine rage on the flora. “After you.” the forsaken
Although Hadama did not often seek the approval of others, the support of his friend was very welcome, indeed. And the task was important; more than that, it was necessary for Torchline's survival against the Void, and the Tidebreaker nodded grimly in agreement to the terror that Starfall exuded, a sense of constant violet miasma in the background of every breath.
Vi would sustain them, now and in the future, and Hadama listened intently to what wisdom the former Warden could impart. Mention of Evie sent a pang through the stoic King's heart but he pushed through to incline his head in acknowledgment of the difficult position that Noah had been placed in, caught between his home and his god's interests. "I pray that Safrin allows me to continue as her King." It helped that his co-ruler was sworn to the goddess as well, so that they moved forward in agreement with Safrin's will for their region.
They came to a blooming field, but the flowers held the taint of the void rather than the clean beauty of Halo's native flora. Hadama waited for his friend to gather what was needed for his quest and then stepped forward, emerald eyes narrowing as he gathered the power Safrin had granted him. Gravity spikes lanced down upon the Ethereal Frostblooms, crushing them until not even pulp remained, and no seeds survived intact. Only then did he rejoin his friend with a grim nod for a job that had needed doing.
~Fin
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