Valentine did not have to wait long for a response to his call, and he would not have expected any different. The cracking of twigs under hoof and the rustling of leaves announced the other stallion’s approach, and Valentine’s ears flicked forwards at the sound, watching as his neighbour emerged from the shadows between the trees. The stranger was a big guy. He was just a little taller than Valentine, but a fair bit heavier with a bulk that was emphasized even further by his mass of thick hair. Although the stranger seemed wary of him, however, he offered his nose to exchange breaths politely, which Valentine accepted gladly. He breathed an inward sigh of relief, pleased that his new neighbour appeared to be less confrontational than the last. The dark stallion introduced himself then, and Valentine bobbed his head in greeting. Olaf Wolfheart. It was quite the title, Valentine thought. He made an effort to commit the name and the stranger’s scent to memory before he replied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Olaf,” he replied, his tone relaxed. “I am Valentine, from the Prairie.” He paused a moment to gauge his new neighbour’s reaction to this information before he continued. There was no point in beating around the bush – they both no doubt had things to attend to with their herds – and so he got straight to the point of his visit. “I just came over to introduce myself – and to extend the branch of friendship, so to speak,” he began, choosing his words carefully, hoping that this effort at negotiations would go more smoothly than the last one. “I don’t really make alliances,” he explained, “but I think it makes sense for such close neighbours to get along, so I just wanted to tell you that I won’t cause you any trouble if you do me the same courtesy – and that no mares of yours will come to no harm in my territory if you choose to allow them passage through it.” |