Chapter Text
They followed behind him as he made his way through the small village, keeping their eyes locked on his back as he moved with a subtle grace, frayed edges of his long cloak sweeping the ground behind him. The Dolorosa stole a glance to the side, where other Trolls had parted to let their company through, Jade eyes sweeping over the crowds that had gathered to watch him come through. Those Trolls that would come out had a tendency to huddle together in clumps, whispering to one another as they took in the presence of the one that was spoken of so often
He was never the Troll they expected to see- his mother knew that. They had expected some tall, powerful looking man with large horns and an air of superiority, come to tell them that everything they had ever done was wrong. They never expected some small, stout Troll with even smaller horns flanked by a tiny Olive blood clutching a well-worn book and a Yellow Blooded Psionic obviously gone rogue.
However, they never seemed surprised to see her. She was known through Alternia; the Jade Blooded servant of the Mother Grub who had abandoned her duties to raise a Grub that would have otherwise been culled. Some Trolls that they came across received her well, giving her a cautious smile or two, others occasionally taking her hand in theirs and thanking her for her sacrifices. But more than often they jeered at her or backed away from her; unable to understand how she did what she managed to do, becoming a Lusus to a Grub that did not deserve to live.
She chose to ignore those Trolls.
When it came down to it, though, her presence was not the one that was recognized as significant. It was always her son. That did not bother her at all- she may have saved him but he was the one who had the miraculous dreams and visions of a free planet and he was the peaceful prophet that they needed. And though it was dangerous to speak of such things she was so proud of him for wanting to share his memories that no one else had with anyone who would listen.
So she smiled and took her seat behind him when they reached the town square, guarding his back as always as The Psiioniic made his way through the crowd and The Disciple sat just a ways off from where he stood, her book open in her lap and her pen at the ready. They always had to keep an eye out for Highbloods that might come to break up his peaceful sermon. There had been a few close calls in the past, when their group had just barely gotten away thanks to one or two of the few Trolls who truly believed in his words and opened their hives to them. Though such kindness had helped them out of sticky situations time and again the four of them had to be prepared to run at a moment’s notices- and keep running for any length of time.
After all, they were all wanted for crimes against the Empire. He most of all but it was well known that if one could get their hands on any of them, he would give himself up for their safety. She knew very well of the bounty on his head- a fantastic sum of money for any Troll who could turn him in to the Grand Highblood or the Blue Blooded Executioners.
So, naturally, there were many who were after him, beyond just those whose duty it was to seek out criminals and bring them to justice. But she would be dammed if she would let her son go without a proper fight.
Because she always knew there was something special about him, that even on such a cruel planet he was a ray of hope as rare as any Tyrian Blood. She knew that, given the chance, he would be able to change the world around them entirely. There had just been something about him when she first discovered him in his little crater that made her leave the caves with him and never turn back.
So with a smile gracing her pretty Jade lips, The Dolorosa sat back to listen to his preachings, eternally proud of her dear son.