By Horn and Wing

The Heirs Meet

Rhez and Thamyl stood together at the foot of their parent's thrones. Their manes were neatly braided and adorned with red jewelry. Over their back and haunches hung a red cloak with dark green trim, with Vandylyna's coat of arms on the flank.
"I hope mother doesn't call us her 'foals' again," Rhez whispered to Thamyl. "We're not yearlings anymore."
Thamyl snorted quietly in agreement. "Aithne would find it funny. It would embarrassing in front of Sheeva, though."
"I hear Sheeva's the castle pride," Rhez murmured. "Her coat's golden like a summer sunset, they say, and her mane is white as cumulus clouds. Her eyes are like-"
"You're making me nervous," Thamyl nudged her. "Mother and Father want the three of us to get along. Telling me how good-looking this horse is won't help."
"At least we aren't meeting her for marriage. I mean, not that we would take to the throne with a pegasus, but you know."
"I'm glad the world won't care too much about my spouse," Thamyl said thoughtfully. Rhez was the oldest and would inherit the throne.
"Oh, hush."
Thez emerged from a side hallway. He paused by the two of them. "You two cloud-heads better behave yourselves," their sire said teasingly. "They're almost here." He moved on to take his place beside Reava.
The castle guards escorted the Dylanean group to the throne room. There was Aithne, Sheeva, and four of their own guards. The pegusi were dressed in a similar manner as the unicorns, only with differently cut cloaks that made more space for their neatly folded wings.
Aithne and Reava, then Thez, brushed each side of each other's necks with their muzzles in greeting. The two pairs of rulers had become close in their years on the throne. Aithne and Muluvay were only a couple of years older. Sheeva bowed her head to the Vandylyneans, then stepped back to her mother's side.
"Muluvay sends his greetings," Aithne said. "Even with the mountains between us and Flynan we want to be careful, so he remained at Cloud Castle."
Thez nodded. "We would have done the same. There's no telling what Fyrele and Embyr might do."
"Fyrele has been friendly and respectful of the borders, though," Aithne told them. "And I hear Embyr is trying to make connections with Jaert. They know as well as we do that war is likely. They want allies."
Reava chuckled. "I'm sure that Embyr will succeed." Jaert was a very cut-off (and not very friendly) kingdom. She then turned and beckoned to Rhez and Thamyl. "Sheeva, this is my daughter Rhez and son Thamyl."
Sheeva pricked her ears. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last," she said warmly.
"We're glad you could make the journey here," Rhez responded.
"We are delighted," Thamyl agreed with his sister.
"Aithne, would you like to come see the library? I recall there were some books you were thinking of borrowing," Reava asked, after all the proper greetings had occurred.
"Ah yes," Aithne said. She winked at her fellow Queen.
Two guards accompanied the Queens while the others stayed near the prince and princesses. Rhez saw her dam and Aithne glance back at them, their eyes twinkling.
They're pretty entertained by us, she thought. And, come to think of it, they're very good friends. She's trusting us with Sheeva. They're also letting us get to know each other on our own.
"You're welcome to take a stroll in the castle gardens," Thez said to Sheeva. "The hedges are freshly trimmed, and I think some new flowers were planted yesterday. I haven't taken a look myself."
"Thank you, that sounds lovely," Sheeva replied.
"Let's go there now before the gardeners are out," Rhez suggested. She led the way out of the grand throne room and down a long, equally-as-grand hallway to the gardens.