They expect that no Taigan would work against them? Really? Those were the words they chose to use? Of course not though, why would they? If anything, the only Taigan that Lepis and Wolfbane wuld suspect of plotting against them would be Aten, but even then, the golden stallion had not given revenge any thought lately. He had been caught up in his own self-depricating state, cursing his weakness and allowing these two the easy opportunity to take away the responsibility a friend had entrusted him.
Lethia was a loyal friend, but she would not go against Wolfbane or Lepis of her own accord right now, Aten suspected. Even with Aten's support, there were some fights that non-gifteds couldn't win. Considering the advantages that both Lepis and Wolfbane had, it would be a lost cause. But Aten had a plan for later on, once things were more sorted out. He doubted he would have any respect for Wolfbane or Lepis, but he would defend his home without question.
A gift beyond what he already had would help with that.
Lepis would go on to describe that she and Wolfbane had no current alliance with the red forest kingdom to the southwest of the redwood land. Aten didn't think that was a surprise; he hardly knew of any land in good standing with that kingdom. When he had been preparing propositions for alliances himself, he hadn't even given them a second thought.
But the reason for Lepis' declaration, Aten had to admit, was a bit more... shocking. Had Leilana really done such a thing? Had such a war broken out before Aten's leadership that it resulted in the injury of one young colt and the death of one even younger? Aten didn't know much about Tephra's queen, for he had not been to that land yet, but he hadn't heard of this grevious act.
He couldn't imagine the pain that Lepis must have felt receiving that news, and for a split second, he actually felt remorse for the family standing on the kopje. Aten's own dam must've gone through the same pain when she had been separated from her youngest son, but the now grown stallion hardly remembered much of her now. Yes, he remembered what she looked like, her warm voice, her comforting presence during the cold winter nights...
But the stallion would not show his pain. He couldn't... he couldn't afford to be seen as weak right now.
Lepis stated the obvious regarding Sylva and Tephra, so Aten didn't say anything. But the way the mare said adequate reparations... it unnerved the golden one. He didn't like the look in her eyes when she said it, even if she wasn't looking directly at Aten and Lethia. And her smile... it wasn't quite devious, but it wasn't the cheerful smile of a ruler.
Aten instantly lost any somewhat building trust, if there was any to begin with.
To finish her declaration, Lepis requested volunteers to journey to other lands to inform them of the change in leadership, and that once again made Aten's blood boil. He closed his eyes and took a breath to hold his anger back. He so did not want to do this... no matter what... he did not want to admit his failure to anyone who knew he'd inherited the kingdom from his friend...
But for those who didn't know, they'd learn of the change of leadership anyway, whether his name was mentioned or not. And, if anything, should he be told to journey to Nerine, he could use that chance to warn Heartfire that he suspected Wolfbane and Lepis' ulterior motives, whatever they may be. He didn't know Wolfbane's connection to Nerine's queen, he only cared about helping the sister kingdom staying safe from conflict that wasn't theirs.
Swallowing his pride, Aten looked to Wolfbane and Lepis, "You've only got two it seems. Tell me where to go. In return, however, I request that Lethia go with me for the first visit. She is still learning the ways of diplomacy and perhaps having a guiding hoof will help her. From there, you can tell us where you'd like us to go our separate ways to other kingdoms for the same task."
@[Wolfbane] @[Izora Lethia] @[Lepis] @[Pteron]
Lethia was a loyal friend, but she would not go against Wolfbane or Lepis of her own accord right now, Aten suspected. Even with Aten's support, there were some fights that non-gifteds couldn't win. Considering the advantages that both Lepis and Wolfbane had, it would be a lost cause. But Aten had a plan for later on, once things were more sorted out. He doubted he would have any respect for Wolfbane or Lepis, but he would defend his home without question.
A gift beyond what he already had would help with that.
Lepis would go on to describe that she and Wolfbane had no current alliance with the red forest kingdom to the southwest of the redwood land. Aten didn't think that was a surprise; he hardly knew of any land in good standing with that kingdom. When he had been preparing propositions for alliances himself, he hadn't even given them a second thought.
But the reason for Lepis' declaration, Aten had to admit, was a bit more... shocking. Had Leilana really done such a thing? Had such a war broken out before Aten's leadership that it resulted in the injury of one young colt and the death of one even younger? Aten didn't know much about Tephra's queen, for he had not been to that land yet, but he hadn't heard of this grevious act.
He couldn't imagine the pain that Lepis must have felt receiving that news, and for a split second, he actually felt remorse for the family standing on the kopje. Aten's own dam must've gone through the same pain when she had been separated from her youngest son, but the now grown stallion hardly remembered much of her now. Yes, he remembered what she looked like, her warm voice, her comforting presence during the cold winter nights...
But the stallion would not show his pain. He couldn't... he couldn't afford to be seen as weak right now.
Lepis stated the obvious regarding Sylva and Tephra, so Aten didn't say anything. But the way the mare said adequate reparations... it unnerved the golden one. He didn't like the look in her eyes when she said it, even if she wasn't looking directly at Aten and Lethia. And her smile... it wasn't quite devious, but it wasn't the cheerful smile of a ruler.
Aten instantly lost any somewhat building trust, if there was any to begin with.
To finish her declaration, Lepis requested volunteers to journey to other lands to inform them of the change in leadership, and that once again made Aten's blood boil. He closed his eyes and took a breath to hold his anger back. He so did not want to do this... no matter what... he did not want to admit his failure to anyone who knew he'd inherited the kingdom from his friend...
But for those who didn't know, they'd learn of the change of leadership anyway, whether his name was mentioned or not. And, if anything, should he be told to journey to Nerine, he could use that chance to warn Heartfire that he suspected Wolfbane and Lepis' ulterior motives, whatever they may be. He didn't know Wolfbane's connection to Nerine's queen, he only cared about helping the sister kingdom staying safe from conflict that wasn't theirs.
Swallowing his pride, Aten looked to Wolfbane and Lepis, "You've only got two it seems. Tell me where to go. In return, however, I request that Lethia go with me for the first visit. She is still learning the ways of diplomacy and perhaps having a guiding hoof will help her. From there, you can tell us where you'd like us to go our separate ways to other kingdoms for the same task."
@[Wolfbane] @[Izora Lethia] @[Lepis] @[Pteron]