Magnus was no stranger to tense moments; he recognized the live wire that ran between them all now. He knew it for what it was, and while he respected the knife’s edge that he stood on, he also did not fear it. He may not have the gifts so many others had commanded over the years (and, recently, lost), but he had never viewed that as a shortcoming. He had fought wars and participated in raids and felt the warmth of blood from his own wounds and others. He knew the extent of his strength and never found it lacking.

So he does not shy away from the danger running like a current beneath them, meeting Akkadian’s fierce stare with his own. When the other demanded an answer, he at first remained silent, mouth pressed together and breeze pulling at the tangled locks of his mane. He did not owe the other stallion anything; he certainly did not need to explain himself to the other. But, still, he recognized that there was honor somewhere in Akkadian’s actions, something like love that had been mutilated into anger, and he did not shut him out completely. Instead, he just rolled his scarred shoulders. “Politics,” he answered briefly.

Then he sighed. “A stallion named Zeik claimed the throne. Did not listen to the kingdom when they voiced concern and then banned a mare who had vocally opposed the change—after he stated that he had wanted the kingdom to become a sanctuary.” An opinion Magnus had heartily voiced over the years and something he could have gotten behind, had it turned into true action. “A mare who happened to be with my child.”

He thought briefly of Ellyse and her fierce eyes and sharp tongue; she had reminded him so much of the Amazonians in that moment. Teeth and sharp edges and warrior spirit. She had been a fine friend to him—and he had been furious at her exile. “I did not take leaving lightly, but I could not stay and condone such actions.” It hurt to think about, still. The leaving still ripping viciously at his heart.

“Not that any of that matters now, considering.”

He was surprised when the mare split from her brother, bending away like bark from an old tree, but he didn’t say anything. As she made her way toward him, he continued to remain still. He had no desire to come between siblings or throw more kindling to the fire, but he also would not bow to Akkadian’s wishes simply because they had been barked at him. So he turned his gaze toward the mare, expression softening slightly. “If that is what you truly wish, Jord. Of course.” He remained still as she leaned against him, quietly listening to her hurt but not responding. It did not seem right to stoke the flames higher.

He simply touched his muzzle to her neck gently before turning back toward Akkadian, body tense as he prepared for whatever was going to come next. “There is no need to repay me,” he whispered quietly to the mare, eyes never leaving her brother. “It is the least that I could do.” His gaze shifted as the other mare joined the group, recognizing her from their encounter in the field. “Josie, how nice to see you again.” It was relieving to see familiar faces and to know that they had remained unharmed.

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Whatever Magnus had been expected, it had not been this. His gold-flecked eyes widened as he watched the altercation between the siblings, his gaze flickering briefly to Josie when Jord spat at her. He quietly mouthed an apology, uncertain about whatever had transpired between the group and unwilling to stick his neck further into it, but sure that the gentle mare from the Tundra had done nothing to deserve that.

He remained quiet as the siblings snarled at one another, even when the mare reached out to rip at the black guardian. He knew better than most that Akkadian was fully capable of taking care of himself and that if he didn’t fight back it wasn’t because he was incapable but because of his own moral high ground. Magnus couldn’t blame him for that; he too would have stayed his tongue. He had suffered worse abuse.

When the mare peeled back toward him, exhausted and spent, he treated the situation gingerly. The hurt radiated from Jord, along with pain and confusion; he knew better than to judge her on this one altercation alone, despite the turbulence and violence that had exploded so suddenly. “If you would like to leave, we can do that,” he said quietly, weighing his words carefully. He glanced up to look toward the other pair, confusion clearly etched on his features before he looked down once more to the mare at his side.

“Well, I suppose that we should be on our way.” He took a step back, nodding toward the others, wishing that whatever had just happened had gone in a different direction. “I hope you both stay safe.” After all, who knew what else Beqanna had in store for them? “If you need help or shelter, find me.” Because he was going to move heaven and earth to make sure he had access to a quiet place to offer sanctuary.

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