kawa~ inspiration #39
Apr. 22nd, 2005 03:21 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
annarti.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
yrae
Title~ Musings
Author~ Annarti
Disclaimer~ Still mine
Notes~ kawa~ inspiration 39. Yes I'm behind with these ones, shush you =P
~ ~ ~
Clear amber light filtered through the wavering, late afternoon air, turning the desert sands to gold-dust, the Ra-Lin to liquid metal and the glowing orange buildings of Ni-Yana to a treasure trove fitting of royalty. The cliff from where the Ra-Lin burst out was at its most dramatic, its red-golden face contrasting sharply with the black shadows on its jagged surface, and with the darkening cobalt of the sky beyond.
As Nimay drifted above the jewellery box of her home, the sun’s dying rays glimmering on her glossy black feathers, she couldn’t help the wry thought as it passed through her mind. This wasn’t the idyllic setting to ponder what she was up here to ponder. She should have waited a good hour or more, when the heat had drained from the desert and only the stars and moon lit her way.
All the same, she spread her arms and closed her eyes, then retracted her wings and dove into a freefall. Even though there was never any danger in the act, it always sent a shiver down her spine as the thrill ran through her bones. The freedom of flight always lifted her spirits, even now.
She thrust her wings out, catching herself in the breeze and flapping back up, high above the desert sands. Everything looked so different from high above. She grinned at the spinifex bushes—foreigners always described them as some sort of strange, fluffy army, awaiting some obscure signal to attack in all their fuzzy wrath. From up here, Nimay could almost agree.
She shook her head, silently scorning herself. She had a purpose this evening, and it wasn’t to muse over the battle strategies of spinifex clumps.
She pursed her lips resolutely and spilled the air from her wings, dropping down into the gorge of the Ra-Lin to light on one of the large boulders that had fallen from the high walls some time ago.
It was definitely a no. Maybe.
‘Aeia, this is complicated already.’
Every time she’d sat down to try and think the problem through, something had distracted her. Out here there was nothing but the water, the cliffs and the sky.
‘What if he wasn’t next in line to the throne? And if neither of us were in the Own?’
She sighed helplessly, knowing it was stupid not to think that. Those aspects had to factor in her decision. It wasn’t merely a change in title—from Own rider to princess and, eventually, queen—but a complete change in lifestyle. At least as part of the Own, she could see exactly what her problems were—the archers over the rise and the swordsman behind the tree. But as queen, the problems were considerably less distinct. Crime, food for the kingdom, the treasury… The list was endless.
And then of course there was the matter of what they would do when Mithé finally passed on. They couldn’t both remain with the Own, otherwise Raykin would be without a ruler for a full season every year.
‘But… what if he wasn’t crown prince?’
Even then, she wasn’t certain. It was a big step for any woman, regardless of her man’s occupation. Somehow, it just didn’t feel right to her. She’d known him since the day she first woke up in the palace, and they’d been firm friends since then. That was how she wanted it to stay. Friends and nothing more.
She nodded resolutely, but didn’t spread her wings, not just yet. She’d tell him tomorrow. Maybe.
Author~ Annarti
Disclaimer~ Still mine
Notes~ kawa~ inspiration 39. Yes I'm behind with these ones, shush you =P
Clear amber light filtered through the wavering, late afternoon air, turning the desert sands to gold-dust, the Ra-Lin to liquid metal and the glowing orange buildings of Ni-Yana to a treasure trove fitting of royalty. The cliff from where the Ra-Lin burst out was at its most dramatic, its red-golden face contrasting sharply with the black shadows on its jagged surface, and with the darkening cobalt of the sky beyond.
As Nimay drifted above the jewellery box of her home, the sun’s dying rays glimmering on her glossy black feathers, she couldn’t help the wry thought as it passed through her mind. This wasn’t the idyllic setting to ponder what she was up here to ponder. She should have waited a good hour or more, when the heat had drained from the desert and only the stars and moon lit her way.
All the same, she spread her arms and closed her eyes, then retracted her wings and dove into a freefall. Even though there was never any danger in the act, it always sent a shiver down her spine as the thrill ran through her bones. The freedom of flight always lifted her spirits, even now.
She thrust her wings out, catching herself in the breeze and flapping back up, high above the desert sands. Everything looked so different from high above. She grinned at the spinifex bushes—foreigners always described them as some sort of strange, fluffy army, awaiting some obscure signal to attack in all their fuzzy wrath. From up here, Nimay could almost agree.
She shook her head, silently scorning herself. She had a purpose this evening, and it wasn’t to muse over the battle strategies of spinifex clumps.
She pursed her lips resolutely and spilled the air from her wings, dropping down into the gorge of the Ra-Lin to light on one of the large boulders that had fallen from the high walls some time ago.
It was definitely a no. Maybe.
‘Aeia, this is complicated already.’
Every time she’d sat down to try and think the problem through, something had distracted her. Out here there was nothing but the water, the cliffs and the sky.
‘What if he wasn’t next in line to the throne? And if neither of us were in the Own?’
She sighed helplessly, knowing it was stupid not to think that. Those aspects had to factor in her decision. It wasn’t merely a change in title—from Own rider to princess and, eventually, queen—but a complete change in lifestyle. At least as part of the Own, she could see exactly what her problems were—the archers over the rise and the swordsman behind the tree. But as queen, the problems were considerably less distinct. Crime, food for the kingdom, the treasury… The list was endless.
And then of course there was the matter of what they would do when Mithé finally passed on. They couldn’t both remain with the Own, otherwise Raykin would be without a ruler for a full season every year.
‘But… what if he wasn’t crown prince?’
Even then, she wasn’t certain. It was a big step for any woman, regardless of her man’s occupation. Somehow, it just didn’t feel right to her. She’d known him since the day she first woke up in the palace, and they’d been firm friends since then. That was how she wanted it to stay. Friends and nothing more.
She nodded resolutely, but didn’t spread her wings, not just yet. She’d tell him tomorrow. Maybe.