So much to do in so little time - all I can do is set an example and tell my heirs how my decisions have come to pass. By now, I think, and hope, they have had a good enough impression of what I do and why - shaping bonds all over the world. Being forced to negotiate on the Cove’s behalf with a former leader of it, was not my preferred place in the world, especially when it became very, very clear to me that no matter what I do or say, he will dislike me. For reasons I cannot fully wrap my head around, unfortunately.

But that should not stop me from recruiting, from adding to our numbers. They’ll need me to - I won’t be Queen much longer, and I will not leave them an empty Silver Cove with messed up territories and no allies in the world.

Niphredil is just one of those bodies that I hope in the future, will make a positive impact. For now, she first needs time to grow, I reckon. I can’t help but chuckle lightly at her question. ”It certainly is. I do hope you’ll come to enjoy it’s inhabitants as a family, too.” Beauty, I know, isn’t everything. I might be called beautiful, Litotes as well. And see how different we are.

One approaches us, a foal I do not recognize; but she runs past us with a speed that says she is leaving and doesn’t want to be stopped. I glimpse a vision of her near future in which she indeed has left the Cove, and caresses her shell - so I smile at her and nod. She can go if she wants to, she is no harm to us.