Darling, don't be afraid. I have loved you for a thousand years.
The chattering of many voices very quickly catches his attention. Sylva is typically so quiet that the ruckus stands out starkly against the backdrop of quiet forest sounds.
Rhory wastes no time in investigating, and within moments, he comes upon the gathered horses. He’s pleased to see that Arrya has already beaten him there, and, smiling, he slips up to stand at her side, nibbling gently at her shoulder. His eyes travel from horse to horse as others arrive to join them. Unfortunately his smile does not last long.
Instead of Marlyn, a strange mare steps to the front of the crowd. The appaloosa neglects to introduce herself, but announces that she will be ruling in Marlyn’s absence. Rhory frowns. While she could very well be a family member of Marlyn’s - there is more than a passing resemblance between the two mares - it seems very odd to not even mention her own name. Not to mention, she clearly doesn’t know much about the little kingdom. They have no army leader or diplomat leader for her to meet with.
He’s briefly distracted when a handsome black stallion introduces himself as Akkadian-Shakkad, and mentions Arrya’s family. He eyes the stallion for a moment, curious. He’s never met the man, but he clearly knows Arrya, and knows of her family here in Sylva. He must be the Kade that Arrya has spoken so much of.
But his curiosity is curbed by Arrya’s fiery tongue, and he presses his lips together as she lashes out at the new queen. “Arrya love …” He lips at her shoulder gently, trying to calm her. While she has very valid questions (and he himself would like to know the answers), he thinks that trying to bite off the new queen’s head right out of the gate is perhaps not the best way to go …
But the mare does not seem particularly perturbed by Arrya’s anger, and introduces herself simply as Djinni, and her stallion companion as Stillwater. Then she dives right into the suggestions. Rhory remains silent, letting the other, younger members of the kingdom step forward to volunteer (though his eyes widen in surprise when Blazing Sunfall almost appears to teleport to Arrya's other side - has she gained an ability?) . He might have been suitable once, back in his younger days, but his former years of not taking proper care of himself have taken their toll. He would not make a suitable guard.
I'll love you for a thousand more.