The world seemed to watch with bated breath as father and son stared each other down. Rade was not surprised by the child's strength; he had been as bold in his youth, venturing further and further from his dam's side with each day of his life that passed. Rarely seeking out the comfort of her side. By the time the palomino was a weanling, he had chosen his own path - following his sire into a self-imposed exile, and leaving Neassa behind him forever. Like most of his family, she was only a dim memory now, a distant regret. Better to move forward than to live one's life looking back.

And he had. His future was the foal slowly retreating back to Fatalé's side, a deceptively delicate-looking creature whom he is certain will grow to be as great as all the men of his father's blood had been. Watching the short tail wag back and forth, he listened to the name that Fatalé offered, and then tasted it on his own tongue. “Léon.” It was short but powerful - not unlike like his own name. “It suits him,” Rade agreed, his tone conveying approval of the bay mare's choice. Léon, their little lion.

At Fatalé's suggestion, the palomino moved forward, touching noses with her briefly. His amber eyes were aglow with a fervent light that was almost feverish in its intensity. “We will raise a prince,” Rade promised, an impressive figure in this moment of confidence. “The Lagoon is nearly within my grasp - your efforts have provided me with valuable information and support. I...” His posture became inexplicably rigid, and Rade backed away a single step, diverting his gaze to the colt. His eyes did not return to hers until the molten gold was cooled back into unyielding amber, and his careful composure - and restraint - had been restored.

“You have done well,” the roan stallion praised her simply. Remembering Styrke, and the pain that any kind of dependence made him vulnerable to. He could not afford the weakness of affection or attachment - these two things tended to get in the way of ambition.
stallion // mongrel // 15.1hh // 8 // palomino roan // reba
debonaire x neassa