It was all too easy to tell the murderous rage that made up the dark gray beast of a mare in front of him. Kharin did not wilt beneath her hard gaze or threats, no cowardice shown across his face. Despite the smart mark on his skin that would darken over time, he did not tremble beneath her stare. Both his slender gold ears lifted off his neck as she spoke, catching the firm tone and the impatience buried in it. If he did not say the right words and speak quickly enough, Kharin had little doubt she would chase him across all of Atlantis to see him turned back into the sea. If he was quick enough to evade her, that is, she seemed just as likely to pummel him into the shallows and sands and cut his young life short.
“No need to turn me into mush, Siren’s Symphony,” Kharin said, tone level despite the excitement and heat still coursing in his veins and the pounding of his heart in his chest. He spoke her name to remember it, though he doubted he could forget hers. How could one forget a murderous beast of a lead who stormed out across the turquoise ocean with red stains among her pale feathers? He knew without a doubt this was the type of leader he had been searching for.
“I am Kharin, of the Badlands,” he introduced himself, “son of Rafe and Klara.” He did not remember hearing his father ever speak of any Atlantis allies, and had some suspicion Siren’s Symphony did not know who Rafe was. Still, maybe if she understood he was native of another island and had a home there she would not think him a total island stranger here to upset the balance of things. He continued. “I am three this upcoming spring and now looking to grow beyond my father’s borders. I do not want to take the responsibility of governing a territory solely on my shoulders,” he added, hoping this would further assure her that he had no interest in stealing her command, “but I want to live somewhere where I can support a strong lead.”
He paused only briefly before adding, “I am not adverse to challenging other herds members to take what they covet, or even stealing them from their home and driving them here, or forcibly claiming new travelers from the common areas, and keeping them within the borders by any means necessary.” Kharin’s blue eyes brightened. “Would this interest you at all, or should I make my exit more quickly to avoid becoming a flat pile of what used to be a horse?”
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