There is a softening to his smile as he gazes now at Noctis. Though he was not quite fully grown, already the young stallion stood nearly the same height as his sire. Gone were the days in which he spent gazing down at his offspring with warmth and encouragement. Like Beowulf, the time was coming in which they would begin to strive for their own greatness. Vasilissa was a determined creature and he felt sure such a trait would soon begin to flourish in his son as well. Noctis snorts and Rougaru fixates his gaze upon the boy. Noctis rears and strikes out with his forelimbs but the wolf does not flinch. He knew that the argument he had with Vasilissa that day on the shores was a touchy subject. Perhaps not the best to open with but well, Noctis had made it clear then that he hated his father and it made for conversations difficult. It was the nature of the beast.

Ears flit forward as Noctis speaks, emerald gaze flashes with anger as the boy begins on the subject of his rule banning Vasilissa from these shores. Despite himself he cannot contain the venom that lashes from his tongue as his whiskered lips draw back in a snarl. "Your mother made that choice the day she left. She abandoned you for her own selfish pride. I cannot have her setting an example to others, especially on the eve of war, that my shore is open and welcome to any who wish to cross here." he finishes snorting his distaste. Vasilissa was always a touchy subject. She claimed to love him and yet her pride spoke otherwise. He had let her drag at his thoughts long enough. No more.

Noctis continues now and Rougaru fixes him with an unreadable gaze. It was time to decide how his sons would be raised. The arrogant snark in Noctis' tone is met with an audible snap of his tail. Too much. Too much had passed between them for him to think that Rougaru would willingly bow to the command of another, even the command from his son. "You are getting older Noctis, but your communication skills are still lacking. A trait no doubt Vasilissa passed on." he adds pausing a moment to toss his great head, his multifaceted gaze lingering upon the familiar faces of the herd that grazed in peace below. "You still have much to learn. But perhaps you should be tried. You are no longer a colt and though your mother coddled you I shall not. You want a position, you want respect? You think yourself deserving of such titles? What of the others? What about myself? Do you think this empire raised itself?" he asks, his gaze marked by anger as he returns it to his son's own dark gaze. "No. I fought for all that you see before you. I created an empire formed of strength and power. Such is not given freely and so I shall not either." he adds pausing a moment to weigh his words. "I will give you nothing. Just as I was never given. Should you wish for rank than you must prove yourself." he adds with a snort, tossing his own head now to resettle the cream and caramel colored forelock. His emerald gaze is softened as he reached forward to nudge he son's shoulder affectionately. "You are no different than my other children. I love you all the same and expect the same from you all. I was never allowed to be given things in life, my father expected me to attain them myself through pro-ess and strength. I expect the same from my own. What you want you much work to gain."