Still adjusting to every responsibility of a herd stallion, Nephilim was beginning to believe it would be mid to late spring, throughout the entirety of summer, and the first weeks of autumn where he would ever find time to swim the channel from Tinuvel to Crossing Isle. Before the sea grew too rough the young stallion, now three years of age, recognized the importance of bringing new herd members to survive in his territory. There were other motives, of course, but these were thoughts he kept quiet to himself, understanding they were the muster puppeteer that truly pulled every string behind the great curtain of his mind.

But today, Nephilim was not off for Crossing Isle. Today was a day where he conserved his energy, grazed on spring foliage and spent time in the borders of his home rather than away. It was good that he had, for soon he heard the call of a stallion; the call had come from further inland, toward the border that married up to the Inlet, which immediately caused speculation that his neighbor at last declared a formal visit was a necessity. Nephilim’s mouth parted as his own answering call stretched out. For now, he would be civil. Their brief crossing of paths had told him he did not need to be outright aggressive, and for the seasons they’d been neighbors Pagan had never once barreled into his home and issued a challenge.

Plus, were they to share the bounty of this island, an island that could be more brutal than kind, Nephilim knew there was importance in striking up an alliance… if not a friendship.

The second call came as he’d already started off in the direction of the first and Nephilim adjusted his course just slightly so that he would eventually break through the underbrush and shrubbery to find Pagan where he stood. Nephilim stepped forward to exchange breaths with the older, more experienced stallion, and studied him with slight tenseness beneath his coat as he awaited any sign of aggression. When he could discern none, the stallion of the Bay stepped away from his neighbor and visibly relaxed. “Pagan, right?” He paused for only a moment, gold gaze never leaving his neighbor. “Welcome to the Bay.”