Chimes of the Past

Featuring: 1860 Evarinya, I119 Cyrenne, I116 Liana

The mare with a coat of the night sky was in many ways not fond of the daylight. Nebula’s swirled in place of a traditional mane and tail, and a soft glow perpetually surrounded her like a gentle star. However, her glow was dimmed by a harsher light- that of the sun above.

It was unusual for Evarinya to wander the streets of Queensbreak in the daylight. Normally she was long gone before dawn, into the forest and beyond to search for a dark cool space to lay. But the late nights around the fire in the Square had made her sleep later than normal, and dawn had already come and gone.

Feriae and Fenrin had left without her, and while Evarinya had plans to have words with the pair about it, she wasn’t too mad about the lack of companionship.

Voices echoed ahead along with a strange noise that sounded like metal. Curiosity piqued, Evarinya followed the sounds.

Around the corner the mare found Liana and Cyrenne bent over a table, messing with strange metal pieces in strange shapes.

“What are you doing?” Evarinya asked, and felt a bit of amusement at the way both mares startled.

“Good morning, Evarinya,” Liana said with a smile, moving to the side to reveal what looked like string and wood tied together.

Evarinya frowned, but murmured back “Morning,” before moving closer.

“We are assembling some Chimes to hang up for Samhain,” Cyrenne explained, gesturing to the supplies on the table.

“Why?” Evarinya asked, confused.

“Come help us, and I will tell you,” Cyrenne said with a smile. Evarinya debated with herself and her own curiosity, and her curiosity won.

“In our world, there are eight forms of Chimes that differentiate Quirlicorns magics,” Cyrenne began. “Each Region has its own magic, and each region is ruled by a deity. Back when the world was young, strands of Chimes were commonly used to track a Quirlicorns growth and power. From what I have heard, some wore their chimes like a badge of honor. Over time, the regions began to differentiate their chimes from one another, creating beautiful designs.”

“Like this one here,” Liana added in, nodding to a hollow tube of wood, “this is the common chime of the Plains Regions, where both of our magics hail.”

Cyrenne nodded, and gestured to the Chimes of Mountains, Icy, Desert, Windy and Swamp in turn.

“What about those two?” Evarinya asked, looking at the delicate ethereal ones and the strange rainbow hued ones that looked much like a Quirlicorn horn.

“The horn shaped one was created when Quirlicorns broke from the standard and began to harness the magics from all regions. It is said it looks like the horns of the Deities,” Cyrenne explained.

“The other is that of the Astral Region, a much unknown region. You would have to ask my daughter more about that. Not many Quirlicorns can wander the Astral Region like Khaalida can,” Liana explained.

Looking at the Astral Chime, Evarinya felt a sense of wonder. She had known in a way that her grandmother was powerful, but to be powerful enough to walk through a different plane? It seemed insane. And yet… how could it not be true?

“Some say that even after they fade from this world, a Quirlicorn’s magic and essence remains in their Chime. So on Samhain, we braid together chimes to hang in the streets, to honor those who came before us,” Cyrenne said as they worked together to put the finishing touches on the chime sets.

“And when the wind blows, and the chimes ring, we know they are here with us,” Liana said with a smile.

Evarinya had a small smile on her face as she helped. “Where did the tradition come from?” Evarinya asked out of curiosity.

Cyrenne and Liana shared a smile. “From Espeor. It was Khaalida’s idea,” Liana shared.

Evarinya looked up at the big house where Khaalida stayed, and contemplated. There was a lot more to her grandmother than she realized, and she was okay with that.

Even more surprising to herself, Evarinya found she was happy to take part in creating this new tradition, even though it was being done during the daytime.  It was a good morning to be awake, she decided.

“Thank you for telling me,” Evarinya said softly, looking down at the Chimes. Liana and Cyrenne smiled. The two mares had been like mothers to her, caring for her, Feriae and Fenrin, and only now did Evarinya fully realize just how large their hearts were. They didn’t do things for their own gain, but rather for everyones.

“Perhaps we should make more?” Evarinya suggested, and at Cyrenne and Liana’s agreement, the mares went back to work.