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Golden Samurai trotted along the bank of the Azure Rush river eyeing how high it was rising up the bank. The river was more swollen than usual this time of year with the early spring melt off from the lower ice furies. The giant mountains loomed in the distance. An ever present barrier. Sam paused to push loose a log that had jammed against the bank and watched only for a moment as it caught in the rush and was quickly swept out of sight. The river was unusually fast too.
He had been tasked by his Glory leader to assess the threat of flooding that the unseasonable warmth might pose. It didn't look too terrible but it wasn't good either. He made his way down the river a bit farther before he turned away and trotted into the edge of the wood in search of an afternoon snack. Scouting was hungry business after all.

Sam slowly raised his head from the berries he was nibbling on, years of control hiding how startled he had been by her. He nodded to her politely as he finished chewing while analyzing her covertly. He thought to himself that she was rather pretty. It was odd that he had never seen her before. He knew most of the unicorns that wandered these parts. It being his job and all. Once finished he dipped his head in an abbreviated bow. "Golden Samurai of the WildHeart Sentinals. May I inquire as to who you are?"

"Hello then. Delilah of everywhere. A pleasure to make your aquaintance. Truly." He looked around the clearing and back toward the river. He supposed he had done his job thoroughly enough for the moment and could spare some time to get to know this interesting mare. "No, I don't often come here. Or anywhere for that matter. I travel quite a bit to help keep an eye on things. If I do stop traveling for a bit it's usually to spend some time with my Glory and those that I consider my family. But that is a rare treat. Not that I mind but the foals grow so fast when one is away." He stopped his wistful sigh before I could be more than a thought.

Sam nodded. "It is a bit sad to know that I am missing so much of their lives. However, it must be nothing compared to what the parents of the foals feel for, many times, they must also serve their duties and go on rounds as well. Although they usually have duties closer to home because of the value we put on family." He gave her a bit of a bashful half smile and shifted how he stood. "Not to boast but I have been to every border of the Wyldewood and covered much of the ground in between. Though the traveling is not necessarily as long as it sounds. I have permission to use the queens portals in GloryHeart meadow. It helps somewhat to diminish travel time and make scouting more efficient. Have you seen much of the Wood yourself? Or do you hail from beyond?"

"Just Sam please."He said cordially. "I have no beloved of my own nor blood family. Although the leader of our Glory I consider as a sister. Her family is as my family. It is part of what makes my duties a bit more pleasant for me. Having the knowledge that I am doing tasks set out by my family for their protection." He shifted his weight between his feet, being the gentleman and not acknowledging her apparent awkwardness or downloaded lay of her social skills. "Today I am checking on the state of the river due to the early unseasonal melt coming from the mountains. As a matter of fact I actually need to get back to my duties so I can make my report as soon as possible. However I am so enjoying your company that, if you have no other thing to occupy your time, I would like to inquire if it would please you to accompany me? I would gladly tell you all of the exhaustive details of the portals."

He admired the sweetness that he saw in her smile for just a moment, feeling an answering one of his own cross his face. Well then miss Delilah, shall we be on our way?" He turned back toward the small footpath that led back toward the river bank and paused. "Ladies first." He indicated the way ahead with a nod "I would be delighted to tell you of my family and comrades."

When they reached the bank of the river Sam turned to walk downstream. "Well, Miss Delilah, we are headed down the river to make sure that it is staying in its banks and not causing any flooding damage. If it is not then I will head back to my Glory and report that all is well. If there is flooding then I will head back up river with haste to the River's Guard Glory and they will do what they can to minimize the damage while I make my way to the Sentinals so we can make recovery measures." He began trotting with the flow of the river his keen eyes picking out the movement of the water elementals in the rapids, looking for erratic behavior. "I hope you can excuse my speed. I have a lot of ground to cover before we lose light." He loped a couple of steps before returning to his trot. "Going through the portals is exhausting. A Unicorn usually cannot make more than one portal jump in a couple of hours. I have made as many as three jumps in a row, however the result was not something one would want to go through for anything less than an emergency." He slowed a bit to knock loose another log that had jammed and was begining to divert the rushing water. "The portals themselves however have made traveling very much more convenient. There is a portal from most main areas of the wood that lead to the GloryHeart meadow where the queen lives. All of the portals are well guarded and the nymphs that connect them make a good defense against misuse as well. "
He turned to look at her to see how she fairing with his quick pace. "Are you doing alright?"

With a smile and a nod Sam regained his quick pace down the stream. "The nymphs are generally shy and prefer observing unless they need to defend their wards; plants and such. The Sentinals work closely with them as one of our duties is caring for the health of the plants and the earth as well as helping other Glories keep an eye on their territories." They came to a place where the river was narrower and dotted with boulders that were damp but just above the rushing flow of the river. " I need to cross here. If you would like to stay on this side of the river until I can cross back I understand." He took a running leap toward the first boulder and leaped across with no more than a moments pause between each hop, carefully landing and gathering himself on the slick boulders so as not to fall prey to the roaring water's reaching fingers.