Falls

Among the ranks of his children, few daughters existed and fewer still that would be suited to hold any sort of rank. Ziva and Naamah, despite being the eldest, were as distant as their beautiful mothers. Bellona, too soft and sweet. She was further handicapped by her deafness, but in all honesty, her disability was not what would have prevented him from offering her. She was still far too dear to him for him to let her go. He was certain Nicaule's mother would protest her being sent away, as would Vihar's dam. Seze was the other option he felt comfortable offering, but a part of him selfishly couldn't bear to send away Banshee's daughter after she'd already overcome so much.

Telling Columbina that Halcyon would be headed to the Shore would be hard enough.

Solomon makes a conscious effort to conceal the feeling of relief that washes through him as Xiomara accepts, although he does allow a small nod of acknowledgment. His jaw sets as she implies that Halcyon might not be strong enough to bear the weight of her position - both as a girl away from home, and as a future mate for Xiomara's sons. It is a smart caveat for her to add, even if Solomon hates the implication.

Again he nods subtly, his gaze meeting hers frankly. "We do."

For better or worse, they had an accord. Only time would tell if it would turn out to be a mutually beneficial arrangement or one that they would end up regretting. Solomon would do his best to hold up his end of the bargain, but his trust in the warrior queen would be slow to build after everything they had already been through.

"If Ensign opts not to visit," he begins, although there is dry amusement in his words. After all of the excitement Ensign had shown for the Shore, Solomon highly doubted she would forget her desire to come back and see them. "I will bring her myself by the end of winter at the latest."

That would allow him time to see his beautiful daughter off and to return home in time for any children that might be born the next spring. It was not a perfect solution, but it was better than nothing. Solomon takes a step back and inclines his head in acknowledgment of their deal before charting a path back home and to his herd. After this much stress, he would be glad to relax into the embrace of someone that did like him.

Solomon