Dante continued to smile warmly at his latest companion, trying to make her feel more at ease around him. He didn’t wish to frighten her in any way, but he was hardly going to attempt to force his company on her when it was clear that she wasn’t the boldest of personalities to start with—not right now, anyway. He was glad when she smiled back, even if her eyes didn’t quite send the same message.

“It’s nice to meet you, Isoke,” he replied kindly once the mare introduced herself. “And you are most welcome.”

And he was sincere as he spoke, for he had been lonely in the Paradise as of late and welcomed all his random visitors. He wondered if that was to blame for his disturbing dreams and unsettled nights’ sleep.

Dante’s smile faded into a concerned expression as Isoke explained her reasons for trespassing. He tilted his crimson head, frowning slightly as he mulled her words over.

He had never been to the Harbor, even though it was one of the neighbouring territories, and he did not keep formal alliances with anyone, so he rarely met the other stallions of Atlantis and knew nothing of this Anawar or his latest replacement. At times he thought perhaps he should start involving himself in politics more, for he sometimes felt splendidly ignorant, but he also valued his privacy and had no use for friendships that were not based on personality.

“Won’t he let you stay?” Dante asked, curious. Stallions rarely turned away mares from their homes, greedy as they were to hoard even the newest of strangers. He paused, contemplative, before continuing.

“Or is it that you do not like him?”

That was more likely, he thought, but he couldn’t help but wonder about her reasoning.

DANTE
a man possessed of some radical notions