The time that Guardian had spent with Pestilence had been enjoyable, in a multitude of ways. She had learned a lot about the dead, and how even in death they should be treated with respect. They were two parts of a whole in their beliefs, and so what was originally to be a short stay with the buck, turned into a slightly longer one, and it didn't take long to realize she was with foal thanks to their time together.

This honestly pleased her, their time together had been profoundly deep for her, and to come away with new life inside of her as a result of their time together... she'd stayed in the area, not yet ready to move on, but this day, she'd wandered further than she had in some time, she knew what needed done. She wanted to seek the blessing of one also blessed. She wanted to ensure the life she carried would be healthy, and well just as respectful about life and death as her and Sil were.

Guardian knew it could take some time to find one blessed by the MotherFather, and she was patient as she traveled, stopping as she felt the need to rest, or eat. Which was what she was doing just then, having stopped for a brief drink of water before she continued.

@Blinded By Silence

(Here you go!)

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert2.png[/imgleft]Today, Watch was perched on a stone that jutted out of the river's slowly moving water, half-hidden by a tree's dripping lichen. His long blue beak was tucked up under a ruby-lined wing, but this very special bird was far from sleeping. No. He was watching. Red eyes gleamed through the foliage, coming to rest on a brilliant doe of near-perfect white. A scar marred the scutes her scaled chest, but it was not that which held his attention.

The doe's soul was as calm and as clear as a crystal pool. She smelled of life. Patience and fulfillment radiated from her in gentle ripples and, for a moment, he was reminded of his not-father. His sun-set eyes smiled as he lifted his beak from his wing, it was not often he was called upon by mothers this certain.

'Tell me, child,' His voice was soft, like a brook over old stones, echoing lightly in her mind, 'what do you seek?'

@Lirilei

She heard the voice in her mind as she lifted her head from the water, some of it dripping from her face after her drink and she scanned the area. Her eyes landed on the crane, and it made her smile, her own white crane having opted to stay behind in the warmth along with her dragon. She didn't blame them, really. Still the sight of the crane felt like a good omen to her.

Still it was easy enough for her to answer, in a calm patient tone, that matched her demeanor. "I seek health for the life I carry, but also..." she paused a moment trying to find the words to convey her feelings. "....reverence, I suppose you could say. For life, for death. Because we expericne both, in the end, and death is nothing to be feared after all." Sil had taught her that much. Not that she'd ever been afraid of death, but she certainly had a much deeper respect for the dead than she'd had before their meeting.

Their time together had been eye opening and touching. It was a feeling she hoped their offspring could know one day as well.

@Blinded By Silence

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]The the cold winter breeze danced through the lichen between them. Suddenly, the air carried with it the smell of salt and brine and the stag stepped forward, ducking through the curtain of foliage and approaching the young doe in a cloud of mist. His eyes shone warmly and he offered her a comforting smile.

"Reverence, you say..." His voice was waves upon sand, "You are wise for one so young."

He stood a fox-length before her, his markings rippling like water. He inhaled deeply, his eyes which seemed to hold the sun within them grew bright, and as he exhaled, a gentle mist fell from his lips, touched by a sunset that was not here.

"Life and death are one in the same. We cannot have one without the other."

As Watch spoke, a shape rose from the mist, the shadow of a foal, neither here nor there. The shadow raised its small head and a soft cry echoed around them. The foal rose upon shaky legs and greeted the world with laughter. They ran and played around them, growing in size and strength until they slowed, full-grown. The kin's laughter became a gentle lament, a wordless echo, until they rested once more in the grass at their feet. Then, there was silence. But from that silence and shadow, something new arose. A young tree, greeting the sun with the same energy as the young foal once had.

"Life rises from the loam, from the ashes of death. It is nothing to fear, for every life that leaves us, that is cherished and remembered by us, feeds the sun and the soul of the Swamp."

The glow in his eyes faded as he slowly closed his eyes. The shadow tree fell away, taking with it the echos of rustling leaves. As the Sun Burns returned his eyes to hers and smiled once more.

"Your children will know both life and death, more so than most. They will live full lives, and when their fated day arrives, they will greet death as an old friend." Watch stepped forward and gently placed his brow to hers "Take with you my blessing, child. All will be well."

There was a soft smile from her at his words. "It helps to have met one who revers death, much as I do life. It's helped me to see a broader horizon." it really had.

She watched the scene in the mist playing out a fond smile on her lips as she watched the foal rise, and go through life, and return to the swamp, as they all would. The tree growing where the kin had laid down the final time also made her smile. Life, from death. The cycle continued on, and not always in the same species but helping others along as well.

His words washed over her, and she felt even more at peace than she had before setting out, her head resting lightly against his own as she breathed out a soft, relaxed note. "Thank you. It means a lot to me to have this blessing from you." she stepped away from the stag a warmth on her face. "May the MotherFather keep you safe in your travels." it was time to return to Sil, to where she wanted to birth the life she was carrying and let him know what she'd done, and the blessing that had been received. She was sure he would be appreciative of it, much as she was.

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert2.png[/imgleft]Stepping away from her, he smiled, his heart warmed by her thanks and well wishes. It wasn't very often he received a blessing in return. Suddenly, the stag faded from kin to sea-salt spray to a flurry of feathers. Wings spread wide, he lifted himself higher, leafing a long, white feather at her hooves as a token of their meeting.

Off he went, flying up above the canopy, for he too was returning to his beloved one.