While most of Olaf’s concerns and emotions revolved around ridding the forest of the intruder that was trying to cash in on the herd being forced to the fringes, there was a sense of pride that struck him as Xina’s teeth met their mark. The roan mare may not have been a team player in the beginning, but after some time to settle in, she’d become an integral part of the herd. There was something to be said about herd members who stuck together and defended each other – like one big family.

The skull-masked stallion knew better than to get in the way of an angry male but he made sure he was in a position to intercept if the sooty male tried to retaliate against her. Olaf could stand many things, but violence against his mares was not one of them. As if Olaf’s imposing posture and Xina’s attack weren’t enough to make the stallion think twice about trying to take the forest, Olaf soon became aware of his young second’s presence in the standoff.

If the intruder was phased by the three that surrounded him, he made no noticeable show of it. Olaf’s eyes narrowed and he exhaled sharply at the man’s words. The forest (and Luthien) were definitely worth settling on but that was not something he would say outright to a rival. He can see the connections firing in the other man’s mind and though he is not amused by smirk it brought to the sooty stallion’s lips, the least he could do was hear him out.

“and what kind of deal are you proposing?” he asks in a steady and humourless tone. If the deal were favourable then he would consider it, if it was unreasonable then he would respond with his hooves.