Adelheid listened to Goose’s tale, a scoff coming naturally and unbidden to her nose which she did not bother to hide with a polite sneeze. Are you so unsure about your parenting skills you fear your son’s instant corruption? she asked icily. At first she did not regret her biting words, but she looked again over the stallion and the herd mare that had come to their door. She saw the hope in the man’s eyes and growled at herself, pawing at the ground beneath her hooves. Holding her tongue and heaving a sigh, she looked to Valka as she spoke. For her small stature, the matriarch of the Bay held an audience that demanded attention.

Her head tilted in interest. The offer to take the stallions off their hands was tantalizing indeed, but the dark mare knew it would be a fool’s trade. Most of those who remained were neutral at best and apathetic at worst. Really, they simply stank up their air with their musk. Her ears flicked back and she glanced at Wasp, knowing her leader had slightly different ideas towards their captives and keeping them here. The Codebreaker heaved a heavy breath and shook out her mane. Clicking her tongue against her teeth, she donned her ‘official’ stature and mask, now taking care to choose her words far more carefully.

I think taking them would do us all a disservice. There have been others before you who have approached them to see if any would bring down Cullen. she replied to the ruler of the Bay. Swishing her tail, her tone warmed ever so slightly as she turned her gaze back to Goose. You are an endearing and convincing father. Which was barely an apology. I am sure there are others like you in the herds. Fathers who keep their sons close because of Cullen in the Lagoon. Speak to these sires, have your son meet theirs. Find the colts that want to be men, and the fathers who want to be proud of their sons. Just like the Peak, the Lagoon elects their leader. Hiding those who would want to bring Cullen to his knees in the herds, or here, only weakens that vote. She glanced at those around her, eyes lingering on the stoic Valka, curious about what gave the woman her mindset and motivations. Her gaze then shifted to her Prime Minister, knowing her friend was still bleeding from the last war against the Lagoon. Not all wars are fought with blood.