Standing before the witch queen is not easy. Knowing that she had swept in during his darkest moments and stolen away the very peace he had provided to his herd had undermined his confidence in ways he had not fully explored yet. It was one thing to lose a herd member here or there, to fail a single battle from a small mistake. But it was something else entirely to have her construct a coup behind his back.
Even that, however, paled in comparison to the pain of his son's fury. It was written in every line of his handsome face, and only intensified as the boy (now man, really, well past the point of foal hood) stepped forward as Daciana did, once more leaving them evenly matched.
Solomon took heart from Daciana's presence and though he could not bring himself to smile in these circumstances he still reached for her shoulder as well, brushing his muzzle over her skin. She had and would always hold a part of his heart as one of his most enduring herd members and Queens. Her presence beside him did much to help soothe his nerves and shore up his strength.
"As you wish," he answered her final bitter comments, inclining his head and letting her saunter past him if she wished. Solomon would just have to make sure all of the herd was together before beginning the trek back home.
Stallion | Dutch Harness Horse Mutt | Champagne Grullo Tobiano | 17 Hands | The Cove