There had been no inkling of suspicion in Rhaego's mind to expect another stallion to accompany Kitty in her arrival to the Dale, nothing to warn or prepare him for this moment. The youthful dun stallion with silver banners was of the right age to have an ambitious mind and Rhaego was intensely aware of this, seeing as he himself had been that age at one time. As a matter of fact, he had been about that age when the Forbidden Dale struck his fancy as a place to grow his harem... and he wouldn't doubt for a moment that should the young brute take the notion to it, he could cause ample enough trouble. If not in a head on confrontation, then in a more stealthy attempt through the marshlands.

A hard, black stare is held leveled upon Verico as he speaks and the smile upon his maw is not enough to convince Rhaego of his innocence. The Swedish beast snorted harshly as he listened, the sound more a snort of half-restrained laughter. His mother sent him? Hah! Mealy-tipped ears twist sharply back into his two-toned mane, a sour look upon his face. Kitty steps forward, leaving her escort standing just beyond the Dale's border alone; her cold tone did not phase him and the burly stallion simply cast her a quick look, acknowledging her before refocusing quickly back on Verico. Stocky legs shift the dun's broad frame between the mare and the stallion, eyes fiercely meeting the young stallion's. "Best return home before mother misses you then. She would like to know of a job well done, I'm sure." Rhaego ground out the words in a low mocking tone, half in disbelief that this obviously adult youngster still did as his mother bid. Rhaego had not had the ideal foalhood - with no clue of his birth mother and adopted by a bossy mare that was obviously not his mother. He was aware of the stallion looking him over and arched his heavily muscled neck, snorting once as if in dismissal but holding his ground for the time being. "Perhaps she did not wish to be found. She would be of age." The statement was spoken with little emotion, more of a matter-of-fact observation. "Regardless, she is of no importance to me at the moment. Though shall she make herself known again, a reunion may be in order. She would not be denied passage into the Dale."