It did not take long for Ernesto’s call to gather attention, and even more than he had expected which was something indeed.

The first to arrive was a slender, golden Akhal-Teke, splashed with white. His expression was serious, and his aura intense as Ernesto met his blue-eyed gaze. Karash Han, he introduced himself as, but the name was not so interesting as the title he announced.

“A prince?” Ernesto exclaimed, tilting his head in curiosity as a playful smile curled around his lips. “Dios mío! Should I bow, señor?”

Before he could continue and introduce himself properly, however, a flash of movement in the corner of his eye and the sound of hoofbeats announced the arrival of another, and Ernesto turned his head to see the newcomer.

This stallion was boldly painted with spots which contrasted with his dark pelt, and though he was about the same height as Ernesto his build was much heavier – his face, however, betrayed youth which his size did not. Argento was this one’s name, which felt smoother on the tongue to Ernesto than Karash Han’s, and judging by the way he welcomed both of them he lived here and Karash Han did not.

“Sí, this is my first time in your lovely lagoon,” Ernesto replied, the lilt in his voice toying with the name of this new place, returning the young man’s pleasant smile.

Once again, his introduction was on the tip of his tongue when yet another stallion approached them, and he was distracted once again. This was another dark, white-splashed man – although he did not seem as bold as the other two men. His body language was reserved, his eyes averted and his head low as he greeted them. Paradiso, this one was called.

“Well,” Ernesto began, half expecting another man to appear out of the shadows to interrupt him, “it is a pleasure to meet you all, señores. My name is Ernesto.”

ernesto
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