Common

Thankfully, the pretty mare was quick to settle as he approached and he found himself chuckling at her rejoinder. He imagined that she had probably had a lot of better days. His own arrival to the islands was years ago, but he remembered how confusing it was to arrive on a landmass you hadn't been expecting, only to be accosted by its residents immediately. Of course, Solomon hadn't been claimed in such a sense, but he remembered being the low man on the totem pole and having to work his way to a position of rank. Back then, every territory had been chock full of horses fighting tooth and nail to maintain their respective holds.

"I bet you have," he answered warmly, glad to have her beside him. He had opened his mouth to speak again when the sound of more hoofbeats drew his eye. The instant the other stallion appeared, Solomon regretted his lack of an official claiming display. He had hoped that his gentler approach would serve as claim enough over the mare's time to dissuade other individuals, but he should have known better. She was too pretty and too nervous to not attract a whole bevy of men looking to take advantage of her. Marking a newcomer with teeth and driving them from the Commons with force was generally the more accepted way of forcing a claim, but Solomon had stopped forcing mares to be in his company years ago despite how much easier it was.

And if he were honest, he wasn't exactly looking to make a new enemy. By that same token, he didn't really need friends either, especially if the first thing a potential 'friend' did was interrupt his attempt to get to know this mare. He didn't recognize the other stallion despite the similarities in their appearance; the other man was thick with draft blood and looked robust with his size, but the longer Solomon watched him, the less worried he became of a physical altercation. Rilke might look strong - and perhaps he was in other areas - but Solomon thought he would still have the upper hand with experience. This sentiment was only given further support by Rilke's claim of being new to the islands and Solomon drew in settling breath.

"Ah, so you're new too," Solomon said as if that alone would explain the man's lack of courtesy, his ears tipped back but not pinned. It was a subtle signal to back off that he already knew would be ignored given that the man had already tried to sweep in like a prince charming without even waiting for the mare to answer the first question. It would have been so much more rewarding for Solomon if they'd both been wrong and the newcomer had been put on the backfoot, but there was nothing for it. All three of them settled into the trees. Solomon took the farthest position outside in case the wind changed and blew more sleet inward as his thicker coat would give him protection they lacked. .His hard gaze slipped from the irritating stallion back to the mare and softened as his ears tipped forward again. "Our companion stole the words right out of my mouth."

Further frustrating was that the mare seemed to be giving them equal time. He supposed it was smart of her to do so: she was new and they were strangers, both equally likely to take advantage of her. Few new arrivals were given a choice between two partners, probably because few suitors enjoyed the game of cat and mouse required to play speed dating.

"Carpathia," he echoed warmly with an inclination of his head. Solomon was not often the type of stallion to flatter with words; he often preferred to show his attraction through touch and affection. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Solomon, lead of the Cove and King of the North island of Tinuvel." Solomon rarely used his title when greeting others, and if he were honest, he would not have if it was just Carpathia. He would have much rather charmed and persuaded her to come with him through conversation alone, rather than using his earned title as a leg-up. With competition literally at his shoulder, however, he would not turn down any advantage he could get.

"And I'm just glad you were found. Spending your first night on the islands alone isn't pleasant normally, much less in such a storm." Granted, this storm - while unpleasant - paled in comparison to the blizzards that swept through Tinuvel at times. The north isle was not for the weak at heart, but the herds that lived there were more robust and close-knit than others owing to it. "Besides," Solomon continued with a warm grin, relaxing as the conversation wore on. "It wasn't storming this morning when I got here."

Solomon shifted his weight to something more comfortable as it seemed like they would be in for a long chat while the storm raged overhead. "It's true that horses come here to be claimed," he continues with a nod toward the other stallion, picking up where he left off with his explanation. "But if you need more time to think before making such a decision, the Peak is just to the North of here and offers shelter for any mare."

Solomon wouldn't lie, offering the Peak as a third option seemed counterproductive, but a part of him would almost rather she chose the mares over this interloper. Plus, if amazon life was what appealed to this mare, he'd much rather get that choice out of the way now rather than months down the road when he'd already entangled his heart in her affairs. "In the meantime, what questions do you have?"

Solomon