Hiparkes' Mirror
The rolling hills stretched out for leagues and herd after herd of horses, the finest ever seen, ran freely across the green grass. Storm of Amber watched them with a smile as he rested on the fence, but Rivers Between Us found his eyes drawn to the mile-long stables the horses called home; their construction was simple, but perfect in its utility and elegance.
"Do you think it will work," the younger Exalt asked.
"He let us reach his ranch, didn't he?" Storm of Amber stood away from the fence and lead his fellow down the path towards the main house. "Remember, he wants a better Marukan, just as we do. Speak from your heart and he will see your dream for making it so."
The halls of Hiparkes' ranch house were filled with the Marukani honored dead; pale-faced though they were, they were as hearty horselords in life and they laughed and sang as they guided the Exalts to seats near the head of the table. One man, dressed in clothes of a late Shogunate cut, leaned across to fill their mugs with sweet beer; Storm of Amber paled as he recognized the face of Garil, a Marukani hero from the Realm Wars.
The stallion-lord dined with his guests that night, in the form of a silver-skinned man with a horse's mane of black hair. His laugh rumbled like hoof-beats as he listened to stories of the riders' feats and follies. Finally, as the night wore down, he regarded Rivers Between Us with wise, compassionate eyes.
The Twilight lay a blueprint down on the table and waited expectantly for praise that never came. He turned to Storm of Amber, who nodded his encouragement. Rivers cleared his throat. "It's a shield," he said. "Made of Orichalc'. It's a Thunderbolt Shield, only better. I based the design on the kote arm-guards I saw in Lookshy; small, but more manuverable than a normal shield. No good to a normal horse-and-rider, but to a Marukani who can bend in the saddle like a reed, the light weight will..." Rivers swallowed.
"It'll have a hearthstone socket and..." He fell silent when he saw something else in Hiparkes' eyes: pride.
Storm of Amber leapt into the silence. "I need its protection if I'm to continue our work; the plains are beautiful, but a man should ride towards a destination."
"The lines across the face are the destination," Rivers said, nodding vigorously. "Or a map of the destination; all the roads I've yet to build, cast in adamant across the face, every juncture a grand city, with the Eye of Hiparkes at the center. It's a reminder of the nation to come, as much a part of Marukan as the plains are now. But I need your help. I need your breath to cool the metal, to seal the Marukani spirit inside. Will you do that?"
Hiparkes snorted a laugh through his powerful nose and, all around him, the honored dead took up a riding song.
