"Well, she would need to be someone who likes guys with chest hair." He pats his chest and chuckles. "It will be interesting meeting your Queen anyway. I usually shun society, but I have relaxed a bit as I have gotten older. By the way, I like your horse it is pretty special as far as I can tell I have never seen one like it."

Tanique looked at Thunderstrike with pride.
"Yes, my steed is very special.   They're more of a friend , really.   But there are similar horses in my kingdom, though I've spent years perfecting and training Thunderstrike"
She smiled
"Queen Morrigan is a good ruler.  Firm bit fair.  But she has a large personality and doesn't always feel the need to be subtle, so if she gets to be a bit much for you, just let me know and I'll move you to quieter surroundings"

"Thunderstrike, nice name. Do his hooves sound like thunder sometimes ?"
He watched the horse as they floated along on the currents.

"As for your Queen, yeah for a big guy I am more subtle then brash and outspoken. So probably best I stay near you when I meet her and hopefully, she doesn't think me some pet or monster. I have had people think me a monster for years. Though the very people I would try to disavow of this thought would monstrously subject me to tests and possible autopsy to study me or prove I exist. People can be funny that way sometimes. I am glad magic types are different, a bit more open minded."

Tanique patted her steed lovingly
"Yes, Thunderstrike can be a silent as a zephyr or as thunderous as a hurricane, depending upon what I need.  Queen Morrigan is hardly the type to assume anyone who looks different from us to be a monster, but I'll do my best to make sure we do proper introductions,  regardless "

Ashton nods, "Hmmm an open minded ruler, that will be different. Well alright I look forward to it. Those are some high mountains up ahead. Have some cousins who love mountains like that. Looks kind of cold."

Up ahead the mountains that contain the cretch rise and they are incredibly majestic and high capped with snow and high ridges. Storms rage around various places along those ridges. The way begins to clear for her and her companion as she gets closer but it is cold very cold and the air gets more rarified as she rises in elevation to go beyond the mountains.

Tanique chuckled lightly
"Well, perhaps 'open minded' was a bit of an oversimplification.   Perhaps 'indifferent to species' might be more accurate. "

Looking at the skies ahead, Tanique focused on moderating the weather for the sake of her Traveling Companion.
"I'm not generally bothered by the cold, but I'll try to steer us past the worst of it"

Billions? Trillions? of frozen crickets or locusts caught up in the storms  blow against them as they pass lower into a less intense and cold level and into the Crech beyond.
The beautiful valley comes into view. Many colorful flags on this side of the mountains flap in a much lighter breeze.

Melting snow leads to little rivers and lakes. Lush fields and forests fill the lands below.

Tanique winced in embarrassment as they were pelted with bugs.  It probably wasn't that much out of the ordinary, but it was still creepy and gross.


She led them into the valley.
"Welcome to the Crech"

Ashton is pulling the bugs out of his hair and looks around once they are on the other side of the mountains.

"Say, this looks nice and considerably warmer than a moment ago. Do you mind if we land?"

Tanique nodded
"Absolutely,  we can land.  I understand that a walk through the woods can be as invigorating as flying through the skies "

"Well, I guess I am just used to being on the ground. It's fun to see the world the way a bird does for a while but I have always been used to feeling the dirt below my feet."

Once down he scrunches up his toes and bends down to pat the ground.

He walks around for a while. "Yeah that's what I am used to and those woods there they seem large enough, are those the ones I will be working with ?" He looks off towards the woods within the Crech.

Having thought about this for a while, Tanique led the way tonthe area she'd chosen for the Hunt.

Tanique will lead Ashton to the area and when she looks for him to talk she can't find him.

Tanique chuckled
"Oh, very good!!!  I'm impressed "

Ashton steps from behind a tree that looks like it would be too thin to hide him and yet it does. "Had to see if I was still in practice. You have a nice place here, really nice I like it. It has a very natural feel to it. Lot's of birds I noticed in the trees, is that normal?"

He stretches a bit and pats a nearby tree.

Tanique smiled
'Yes, Avian life is plentiful here.  Queen Morrigan is very fond of birds.  We all are. "

"Well everyone can't have flying horses I guess so birds are the next best thing." He smiles again. "Ok give me a day or two, I will meet you here. I need to get used to things, or do you think it is best if I meet the Queen first ?"

Nodding in thought, Tanique smiled
"Yes, I think it would be polite to at least say hello.  If she's too busy, we can return here"

Ashton went along with Tanique to the castle and after some time not so very long she was ushered in to see Morrigan.

"OH! has the diplomat from the Courts arrived already? He's a tall one."

Morrigan studied them, "Lady Tanique, you wished to see me?" Her eyes looked to the both of them.

Tanique smiled and curtsied
"Queen Morrigan,  i wanted to present Ashton, who will be helping me with the Hunt with Prince Julian.  With your permission, I'll let him get accustomed.to the woods around here."

"Oh, did I ok that? I must have ok'ed that. Alright I will let my people know, shall I make some diplomatic chambers ready for your father as well? Or will he be roughing it as they say?"

Her eyes then shifted to the rather large harry figure in the room, "Welcome to the Crech, Ashton. I hope you enjoy your stay in my lands. If you have need of anything speak with one of my ravens and they shall try to assist you."

The many large ravens in her chamber silently sitting and eyeing the two make it clear she may mean real ravens. Lady Tanique certainly knows that to be the case.

Ashton gives the best courtly  bow he can, "Thank you, Majesty."

Tanique smiled
"it might be best to have some guest chambers ready for Julian.  He likes to rough it occasionally, but prefers to do so at his whim, not when others deem it so.
So it best to have options."