The wolf watches the black and white stallion as he dips his head respectfully, acknowledging him with a curt response, withholding whatever venom he might had felt at the defeat. That alone earns the wolf’s respect enough that he does not immediately rush the stallion from his shores. Polite conversation had never been one of his strongest suites but Rougaru was one to not take forever to get a point across. Multifaceted eyes of emerald fixate upon the opposition as the stallion begins to speak.

Small dark ears perk forward as Cain begins, confirming Rougaru’s suspicion that he held no intentions of exchanging one mare for another. It would have been amusing for the wolf to see another try to determine which mare was worth more than another. There had been but one time in his life that he had considered such but that had been simply to rid himself of the bickering hisses of Vasilissa’s gripping. To this day he still felt like he managed to get the better end of the bargain. However Cain was not the type to stoop to such low levels and neither was Rougaru willing to accept a replacement. Why should he take the latter for the sake of a pretty face? Surely that must mean that there was more to Chelle than what he knew.
However the conversation takes a turn that the wolf had been expecting and anticipating. Rougaru is careful to keep the mask of indifference planted firmly into place as Cain continues, remarking that despite the changes in leadership around the islands, their two herds had long remained steadfast against the changes. It was true that they both were vigilant in their role as protectors and guardians, not just against the nomadic strangers that haunted the islands but against themselves as well. Long had the wolf toyed with the idea of making an ally out of the desert stallion. The island of Salem was one of their closest neighbors after all and it would do him well to strengthen some new alliances now that those he had made in the past were beginning to waver and wane. Faolain and Solomon both had broken that unspoken agreement and now he stood on the brink of a cliff and stared down into the abyss debating what must be done. Without strong alliances at his side, the prospect of continuing to prosper was not nearly as visible.

For a moment the wolf remained silent as the black and white stallion stared at him expectantly. Emerald ooids shift from the dark auburn of Cain to gaze at the oceanscape behind him, lost deep in his own thoughts. It would be easy and perhaps foolish to send him on his way. Cain was never one to let lying dogs lie and therefore the chocolate stallion knew he would continue to come for Chelle until he had her or her freedom whichever it was she chose. Yet he must not seem too eager to accept such a bargain for then it might appear that he feared retaliation.

A heavy sigh escapes his lips as dark ears rotate backwards in languid ease. Fierce eyes rise to Cain’s once more as finally he breaks the barrier of silence that had built up between them. ”Alliance built by blood.” he begins, dipping his proud head towards the stallion, ”I have plenty of sons to choose from. Your daughter may have her pick. Unless you wish to wait until my daughter Leilani is grown enough to leave the only home she has ever known…” he continues, pivoting his heels and turning back to the shadowed jungle. No, Cain could never say he was not a diplomatic monster. ”I suppose you want her now?” he asks, pausing to tilt his head back to gaze at the stallion once more.