Kendry’s ears flick outward as Björn explains his injuries. “Well done,” he says quietly, impressed. How satisfying must it be to defend a protect a family, a herd, from those who would seek to tear it apart. He himself has never seriously battled for anyone, or anything. Sparring has always been a lighthearted affair, competitive on a superficial level— at least for him.
“Ah, me? Well.” Kendry glances back toward the ocean, then offers Björn a wry grin. “Given that Marlena is not here, and thus likely not anywhere on these Isles, I figure I’ll swing by the Thicket and see if I can put my roots down. I’ve a friend there who might have space for me, and the first of my family.” There is a little pride in his voice, but mostly hope. Kendry has no herd, no children yet, but he is eager and optimistic to see what the future holds for him. A place as second would be a better starting point than attempting to maintain and protect a family in the Lagoon.
“Thank you again, Björn, for your time and your help. I should go now, and leave you to yours.” He nods inland, where he assumes the herd must be. “Heal quickly, my friend. I’ll be returning once I’ve a home to call my own— or perhaps a bit sooner, if you’ve the time. Strong alliances aren’t built in a day.”
Kendry has lost a bit of his impulsivity, and his eyes are on the distant future. He’ll not risk his family’s safety or wellbeing with impetuous decisions made in the moment— not at all like the boy who set foot in the Lagoon and once decided good enough with no other thought to how it might affect his life down the line. He’ll want to test Björn’s mettle, get a solid understanding of the other stallion before committing to something so serious as an alliance, and to give the other male the opportunity to do likewise with Kendry’s character. He thinks they will both find the other a suitable candidate, but time will tell.
The perlino inclines his head in a formal nod before he turns and takes his leave, following the same path back to the waiting waves and plunging into the rolling waters without hesitation, filled suddenly with a buoyant optimism that carries him away from shore and toward another grand horizon. |