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Watches from the bale of hay he was nibbling on that he 'found'. The red mane and tail were in interesting enough contrast. He kept his demeanor cool as he munched on his snack, watching the people and other Azerin.

The King blinked in genuine surprise. He was amazed at how many of these Azrein willingly offered their lives and service to his cause.

Valdien trotted lightly up to the King, nosing him between his shoulder blades. "I return, my Liege." The stallion sunk down into a bow, extending one of his forelegs to lower his chest nearly to the ground. The half-cloak he wore around his shoulders pooled on the grass beneath him before Azreth gave him the signal to rise.

The King turned around to face Val, a smile breaking his normally sardonic features. He wrapped his leanly muscled arms around the stallion's neck, closing his eyes in peace as he breathed in the calming scent of his Bonded. "I worried about you, my friend."

Valdien tucked in his nose, pulling the King closer to him and looked over his shoulder at Nailiah. "My lady; I have not seen you before. My name is Valdien, the King my Chosen, and I am protector of the Greater Herd. I bid you welcome."

Azreth turns around, leaning back against the stallion's shoulder and smiles at Nailiah. "And I thank you for your service, little one." The King tips his head and winks at Dark. "You will always find your Azrein there for you. Even if they physically leave your side, they are with you; mind, body, heart and soul."

Dark watched as another Azrein came by. He appeared to be of the royal lines based on his dress and demeanor, and it didn't take her long to find out that he was bonded to King Azreth. She greeted him with a smile and a bow herself. She then turned to the King. "I think I know what you're talking about. Already I kinda feel her. I'm still getting used to this, but we're both learning."

Nailiah bows just as Dark had when she noticed the stallion come in. From what she heard, he had come from patrols. It was only when he introduced himself that he made more sense to her. Nailiah gave a friendly smile, ears forward to catch his words - his voice. "My name is Nailiah. It is an honor to meet you, Valdien." Her eyes studied him quickly, but she felt another presence near by. She feigned a stretch of her neck to get a better look at her surroundings. Nailiah hadn't smelled another stallion, but her eyes caught him at her movements. Her eyes returned to King Azreth and again, she gave another bow of appreciation. "My Liege."

Gave the mare a crooked grin when she noticed him, however briefly. His tail swished side to side lazily, the feathers that had been tied in the long hair fluttered behind the motion.

He watched the winged one, and how the Azerin reacted with their humans. He didn't understand the urge some of the Azerin felt to bond with a human. He'd never had any such need. He didn't reject the idea, it just wasn't for him.

With a blade of hay hanging out the corner of his mouth, he trotted over to the little gathering, then stopped a few feet away, not wanting to get too close.

As Dark excused herself from the King, she patted Nailiah on the neck. "You can stay here. I'll get home ready for ya." She grinned and slipped away leaving the mare to herself.

Nai looked a little interested in the King and his chosen, but she dare not intrude. However, the brown stallion began to peak her interest. She quietly excused herself and moved to greet him. And greet him indeed for the mare almost bumped into him not paying attention. She backed up a little, neck flung back to remove her mass amounts of hair from her face. "I apologize. I didn't mean to... I'm quite clumsy." She was a little embarrassed that her first time alone, she was a total klutz. The white mare with the ruby red hair cleared her throat and smiled. "I'm Nailiah. May I ask of your name?" Her demeanor was friendly, and she tried to make herself as non-threatening as possible which quite frankly was quite easy. Nailiah didn't look like much of a warrior nor did she seem she could hurt a fly.

He didn't even budge when she bumped into him. He only grinned a crooked, cocky sort of grin. "No worries, pretty lady. No harm done." He turned and walked slowly around her, looking the girl over.

"My name is Tasunke, but you can call me Tas if it's easier for you to remember." He stopped when he got back around to stand infront of her.

"Might I ask you a question?"

Nailiah gave him a particular look. He sure was cocky sort of brute, but it wasn't the arrogant, idiot sort - at least she hoped not. As he did his stroll around her frame, she watched him with her eyes taking him in as well. The symbol on his leg was definitely interesting and his feathers were something she had never really seen before on an Azrein. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tasunke." She smiled. "I like your name. It's very strong...brave even." Her ears flicked forward toward him as he stopped in front of her. "Yes? Ask away."

He really wasn't arrogant, hardly even cocky. It was just the way the grin and his demeanor came out.

"Well, don't take this wrong, but why did you chose to bond with a human? I'm quite curious as to what drives one to do it." He seemed genuinely interested in her answer, and not in any sort of malicious sort of way.

Her silver eyes stared toward him gently as if trying to find the answer herself. "Well..." The mare slowly began as if trying to find the right words. "I'm sure it's different for everyone, but for me it...just happened. Dark and I met during a storm on the Isles. She said she was heading toward King Azreth to serve...I joined her because honestly I was curious. Maybe a little bit lonely. But the point is, it just happened. Our friendship bonded us. It's still new to me." She idly pawed at the ground with her hoof, light slightly gleaming off her bands. "Does this..answer your question. Tasunke?"

tilted his head side to side a few moments before nodding.

"I guess that makes some sort of sense. I may ask others as well. To see what answers they have. Could be interestin'."

He grinned all friendly like.

"So ya came here out of curiosity, huh? What's it like where ya come from?"

Nailiah nodded to him with a grin. "Yeah. It's just one of life's mysteries I suppose. To your other inquiry, frankly it is quite boring." The mare couldn't help but let a sigh escape her throat. "I was alone most of the time, and just sorta roamed. There were others out there. Those that were not for or against humans and those who were totally against the idea. I met a sparse few who were for the joining with humans, but from what they said, most would be within the kingdom or villages with their Chosen." Her left ear flicked ever so slightly. "What about you, Tasunke? What of your story?"

Shrugged, or what it would look like if a horse could indeed shrug.

"My brothers an' sisters all left ta find their Chosen. I've never felt such need. I like bein' on my own. I'm neither for, nor against partnerin' with humans. It's just not a path I've chosen for myself."

The blade of hay switched from side of his mouth to the other.

"Ya see, I like ta run free and not have ta worry about havin' someone some where waitin' on me ta come home." He shook his head, sending his mane flying. The feathers seemed to dance in the air before settling again.

He pranced about a bit, his front hooves thumping on the ground. "Ain't got no one to answer to. I'm my own horse." He chuckled.

The mare studied him for a moment, ears perked forward interested in what he had to say. As far as she knew, she probably had brothers and sisters, but she left home as fast as she could. Mother and Father always smothered their baby girl, but she really didn't want them on her back for her whole days. However, she found herself missing them now. Go figure.

"That...is reasonable. I believe every horse should be who they want and be true to themselves and their nature. I just kinda found mine." She smiled a little. "I think you'll do well for yourself."

Her eyes watched the feathers, the flow of his mane, the twitching of his mouth and the blade of hay, then finally she met his gaze. "You truly are your own. I can see it all in your presence." Nailiah flicked her tail gently striding past him toward the bundle of hay. She was getting a little hungry and it looked quite appetizing. "Join me?" She called back over her shoulder. She rather did like meeting new Azrein and keeping conversation. Nailiah could be a bit of a loner really.

Lifted his head a little higher at the appraisal. "Thank you. I do try." Well, he really didn't. He just let the stuff that as him pour out all on it's own.

He turned to follow her. "Of course. Now that ya mention it, I could use a bit of a snack."

And he was a gentleman. It would have been rude to turn her down and leave her to her own devices.

Why, his father would have been shocked, if he had known his father that is to say.

He continued to grin that absently cocky grin.

She nodded to him reaching the hay bale. "You try very well." She stretched her neck out and took a mouthful eating slowly. Nailiah was a hearty eater and often times ate with much vigor which would make quite a mess. But she was with company and her mother did raise her with some manners that stuck. She still by no means would starve herself however. "I'm glad that you concur." Nailiah flicked her tail toward him after swallowing her mouthful. "How long have you been here?" She absently asked just trying to make conversation. She reached in for another generous mouthful munching all the while. Quite sweet! She'd have to ask Dark to get her some hay such as this if the human could!

took a mouthful of hay himself and munched away. it took him a few moments until he was able to answer her without spitting chewed up hay at her.

"My whole life. Though I come and go, here and there. I like the hill side the best, though."

Nodded his head matter-of-factly as he took another bite.

"Don't know many Azerin though," he said around a bit of hay. "Most of the one's I come across are in the Kings herd, so they don't want too much to do with a free spirit like myself."

Nailiah flicked her ears. She sneezed as she dove in for another round of hay. "Excuse me." She murmured taking another bite. She half spoke then realized she was still chewing so she quickly finished then picked back up her sentence. "Well, though they may be in the King's herd, I'm sure they are free spirits themselves." Nai lowered her head giving him an inquisitive glance. "Mayhaps? In actuality, everyone is a free spirit, but we're all different. And I'm sure if given the chance, they would like to." She nodded affirmatively going for another bite of hay.