Nephilim listened, quiet. His mind was running quickly over the thoughts, over the band stallions of the islands joining together, showing a unified front against one who would inflict cruelty upon their family. Surely Nephilim could not be the only one willing to stand with Tithe against such a threat, not if they valued what they promised to protect. Why else would they choose the responsibility of leading a herd if not to protect them?

“I’m sure if I spoke with Pagan, he would agree.” Nephilim hadn’t spoken with his neighbor in some time; it seemed they were both content to watch over their families and territories, coexisting in peace. But surely, from what he remembered of the buckskin, the stallion wouldn’t care to know there were stallions preying on the weak and possibly setting their ill-gotten ways onto the mares of the island. If nothing else, Tinuvel would stand strong against such a threat. Tinuvel prevailed and would always prevail. “In fact,” he paused, “if you want to seek out other herd stallions, I can accompany you.”

Even to Paradise? Nephilim’s thoughts soured briefly. In truth, he was unfair on the colt. The kid had been young, likely trying to prove himself as Nephilim had once been eager to do. But no matter, Nephilim had sworn he’d teach the boy a lesson and that is what he aimed to do.

Nephilim refocused on Tithe. “Keh,” he almost rolled his eyes, “a boy who snuck his way into Tinuvel while I was on Crossing, almost stole away Hollowshank. Barely a yearling.” Hollowshank, as gullible and sweet as she was, would have made for an easy target. Easier than trying to steal, say, Amaranthe, for instance. It only soured the taste on Nephilim’s tongue further. “He allowed her to return to the herd and left a message that he wanted to speak with me. The more I think of it, I think it was a ploy for attention; a boy trying to get his footing among the herd stallions. Only problem is…” Nephilim paused and, if he could have, he might have shrugged. “I don’t play those games.”

He shook his head, just slightly so. “Don’t worry over my herd drama. If I can’t handle this, I don’t deserve to be a leader of anything, let alone a herd.” A smile cracked over his lips after he’d spoken.