And flowers in her hair

The Oerwoud was not safe.

It was freed from the Void, but it was still the nearest region to Starfall that did not have the protection of an Old God, and Hadama was very much aware of that fact. Kingly duties and personal obligations - many pleasant, to be fair - often kept him away from the jungle, but when he could make time for it he still came here to walk the vine-strewn paths of the Tanglefoot and swim the Wishtide Waterways, ensuring that nothing had changed since the Void had been driven back. If he had another Lily, or better yet a Rose...

But he did not. And for the moment this was all that he could do.

"Thank you for meeting me here," he rumbled to Sohalia as they made their way across the long and winding bridge that would lead them to the back of the cliff that was home to the Leap of Faith. It had been very good indeed to see her at the Festival, but the nature of the gathering had made it hard to speak together, and catch up on all that had transpired since her abduction. The trip today was less comfortable than meeting in the Court of Stars... but by that token it was hopefully a less likely place for any eavesdropping members of the Family to look for them while Soh told him her tale. "Have you traveled this way before?"

SOHALIA

But you're untouchable, burning brighter than the sun

The Brittlebone Bridge was not somewhere Sohalia had visited before, but she was fascinated now that she was here. The bridge itself was made of myriad wooden planks of all different sizes and shapes, flanked on either side by vines and flowers of all sorts of hues and shades. Her fingers itched for charcoal and her journal, though she was sure that even the best black-and-white depiction of the scene would be an injustice to the colors surrounding them here.

But this was not the time for idle drawings, as Ronin had kindly pointed out to her not so very long ago. Change was coming, and Sohalia was ready to take advantage of it.

"I've been to the Oerwoud several times, but never the Bridge," Soh said, turning her attention to Hadama with an easy smile. She looked healthier than she would have looked right after returning to the world; there were no longer dark circles under her eyes, and her frame had filled out to a healthy degree. Tarak perched upon her shoulder, completely at ease in their colorful surroundings. "How about you?"

And now that you're close I feel like coming undone

Beauty and danger lay all around them, and sometimes it was one in the same. Still, the vibrancy of the colors always instilled a quiet awe in the mermanta, and an appreciation of how different the world looked away from the watery depths where colors so quickly lost their intensity, or were replaced by different kinds of vision entirely.

He paused by one section of vines beside the bridge that held flowers larger than his palm in a fierce shade of magenta, their centers a brilliant yellow speckled with black. He did not know how Sohalia had looked immediately after her return and so could not appreciate the change that time had wrought - for the better - in her countenance, but he was still relieved to see her looking so well now. "Under it, perhaps," he acknowledged, a flicker of a smile at the corners of his eyes. "And to the mistbanks. But this is my first journey to the Leap of Faith." Tall places were not generally his forte, after all.

Smile fading a little, he contemplated his friend more solemnly. "I am glad to see you looking well. Zavien told me that things were difficult when you first returned. Are you fully recovered?"

SOHALIA

But you're untouchable, burning brighter than the sun

For just a moment, it was a relief to pretend that everything was fine, that their journey to the Oerwoud had to do only with a mutually shared desire for exploration. But then Hadama sobered, the flicker of a smile in his eyes fading to something entirely more solemn. "I am, thank you," she replied, smoothing her hands over the long skirt she wore, her hands suddenly clammy. She knew now that she'd been through so little in comparison to others. Gods, Flora had died. That could have been her, and she'd have had no one to bring her back.

She shuddered, her eyes haunted, and considered once more if her plans were really worth it, if she wasn't just rushing headlong towards a very permanent end. "I'm not sure how much Zavien told you," she said finally. "The Family abducted me and hid me away. That's how Dahlia rose to power in Stormbreak." Her voice turned pleading. "I didn't - I would never have let that happen willingly. After they'd taken control, they just... let me go. I don't know why. But I left Stormbreak, and I went to the Greatwood. I didn't realize how far the Void had spread, and it nearly killed me. A Fae helped me and nursed me back to health, but by then, seasons had passed, and, well, I wasn't sure what to do. It all seemed so... pointless."

She paused on the bridge, resting a hand on the rope railing and looking at a flower of a particularly vibrant blue. "I didn't think there was anything I could do against the Family, so I gave up." It was difficult to say, difficult to share with a leader who she admired so much. Would this be the thing he judged her for? Abandoning her people, no matter how dire the circumstances?

And now that you're close I feel like coming undone

The Tidebreaker continued to make his way forward, moving slowly across the eccentric boards of the bridge and occasionally looking over his shoulder to check on Sohalia. He nodded in relief to hear that she had recovered, but a glance back at her subsequent silence put the lie to her reassurance. He stayed quiet, listening without reaction or judgment as she related the full tale of her disappearance and survival, culminating in her return. He simply accepted her words, pausing when she came to rest near a spill of flowers and one especially blue one in particular.

He joined her in admiring a nearby bloom of his own, one that was orange and easily as broad across as his spread hand. He was quiet for a time after she finished, but it was a thoughtful, contemplative silence before he gave a slow nod. "Do not be ashamed of surviving," he rumbled gently. "Or retreating from a more powerful predator." He watched a multi-winged insect land on the flower and crawl inside, its rainbow iridescence sparkling against the matte orange of the petals. "They were able to rout Remi and Ronin when the Family's connection to Caido was still weak. I know of no one who has faced them directly and won. Yet." Their constructs and corruptions, yes. But a member of the Family themselves? No.

Though they would need to do something soon, lest the portents of the Dreaming come to pass.

SOHALIA

But you're untouchable, burning brighter than the sun

Sohalia was silent for a moment as she considered what Hadama had said. He, like so many others, offered reassurance that she had done the best she could given her circumstances, and she was grateful for the forgiveness of a fellow leader and, more importantly, a friend. But however much she appreciated it, it wasn't enough. Not anymore. She could no longer rest on her laurels and leave her region in the hands of the Family.

Which was something else she felt a duty to mention to Hadama. She wondered what he'd think of her plans - or lack thereof.

"I know," she said slowly. "But just because no one has been victorious yet... does that mean we should wait for someone stronger to come and try their luck?" She bit her lip, frowning at the sapphire bloom. "I think... I think I have to take a stand. I think I have to try." Would Hadama encourage her, like Ronin? Or would he advise caution, like Deimos?

And now that you're close I feel like coming undone

Her question echoed the thought he had left unvoiced and he turned slowly from the flower to face her directly. The frown on Sohalia's face was, he thought, a sign of intense focus and it was understandable given all that she had been through. All that he had lost. And had taken from her. "There is no one stronger." He spoke quietly, inclining his head in acknowledgment of her words. "Our strongest have already failed twice." Which left the question of just what they could do next.

A question that Sohalia answered, not meeting his eyes. Hadama drew in a slow, deep breath, and let it out just as carefully as he turned her words over in his mind. He was silent for a time, thoughtful, before spoke again.

"The first challenge will be to take it from Dahlia," he agreed carefully. "The second... will be to hold it. May I ask your plans?" He did not have a right to know them, and arguably it was potentially safer if he did not know. Every person she told was a potential leak to Vox. But that was a risk she would have to decide to take... or not, if she wanted allies.

SOHALIA

But you're untouchable, burning brighter than the sun

Her plans were, admittedly, not the most concrete. Not to mention, they weren't entirely hers. "I... don't know how much I can share," she admitted slowly. "Not because I don't trust you, but because some things aren't mine to divulge." She took a beat, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Then she turned to face Hadama more fully.

"Are you familiar with Koa Carpenter?" she asked. "He's in charge of the Dragoons, and I've been trying to get in touch with him to coordinate. I'm also working on assembling a Council again - although I'm not completely sure who I can still trust. I haven't even seen some of my Council members since my return." What else could she share? "If Dahlia were to... leave Stormbreak, or be incapacitated, we could use that absence to reclaim the city. As for holding it after..." She honestly hadn't gotten that far.

And now that you're close I feel like coming undone

He took her hesitance with his usual phlegmatic acceptance, inclining his head in acknowledgment of her secrecy without taking offense. When she turned to face him he met her gaze calmly, as serene and unruffled as if they were simply discussing the weather in Torchline.

Mention of Koa drew a brief quirk of one brow and a nod of confirmation. He did, indeed, know the young man in question, though he had not seen him recently. At the mention of her council he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I trust Zavien," he rumbled, speaking slowly as he considered each word before releasing it, but his voice confident. "And Lena. Koa... seemed unchanged the last time I saw him. But Everest..." He paused and then gave a shake of his head, a faint crease between his brows. "I would no longer trust. He is devoted to Dahlia. Most likely Infected." Though at least there was a chance to cure him with the healing springs in Halo, if he could be lured there.

He turned his attention outwards once more, returning his focus to Sohalia and the way the blue flower seemed to glow with extra vibrancy beside her pale hair. "The second problem will require thought. The flowers have been elusive, but that much I can help you search for." What she chose to do with any they found could not be tied to Torchline, at least. But he could no longer act directly in another region without consequence. "May I mention this to Flora?" His friend, yes, but also his co-ruler and Queen. He could make no promises of assistance without her agreement, however much he might want to offer his strength to the young woman before him. The political situation was too precarious, and his role as King too public.

SOHALIA

But you're untouchable, burning brighter than the sun

Sohalia listened carefully to those Hadama trusted, nodding along with his analysis. News of Everest was unwelcome, and the Luminary felt a pang in her chest at the news he was likely infected. "That's a shame," she said, shaking her head sadly. "Perhaps we can cure him. I hear that Halo has the ability to do so." But that would have to be a consideration for another time. For now, she had to focus her efforts on the larger issue of reclaiming Stormbreak. She could help her people far more from the throne than from her current fringe existence.

"I have Lena in mind, and Zavien... has always been kind to me, when we've met. I don't know him well, though." She didn't have anything bad to say about the dragoon, but she also wasn't sure how deeply her trust in him ran. Hadama's word, though, went a long way for Soh, and she made a mental note to add Zavien to her list of people to reach out to.

As for Flora, Soh nodded. "Of course. I would have reached out to her as well, but I wasn't sure how she was recovering. How is she?"

And now that you're close I feel like coming undone

"It does," the Tidebreaker confirmed with a thoughtful nod of his head in regards to Halo's curative abilities. And it was a very good thing that it did, given the increasing threat of infection and infected spies in their midst, even in regions where the creatures of the Void were no longer able to enter.

He tilted his head as she named her once-and-future council, a considering look in his emerald eyes. "Think on this, please," he rumbled after a long moment. "And do not answer right away. But what size council do you wish to have? And have you considered a co-ruler?" He held up a slow hand to forestall any quick reply as he turned away and began to walk along the Bridge once more, heading towards the Mistbanks and the Leap. "As for Flora... a letter might be welcome, but she has been through a great deal in dying. I am trying to give her space." An admission made quietly, though the King's heart ached for his Queen. "But I believe that in time she will fully recover." A conversation that they could continue as they walked the path deeper into the jungle, until they had left the strange Bridge far behind.

~Fin