Nova was not pleased. She had hoped that her return to the Islands would prove to be beneficial both for herself and for her firstborn. She had hoped that she might find another stallion, a kind one with a kind herd that would protect and guard her against Warsaw's reach. Truthfully she had hoped that Warsaw's bones had long since begun to bleach beneath the sun's fierce rays. She had definitely never expected to find herself in the presence of the gray stallion or forced once more into his fray. He had stayed close to her on the journey through the frigid waters back to the Inlet. She did not need his guidance, for she remembered the journey as though it was one in which she had just taken yesterday but still she can feel his muzzle as it bumps against her flank in the cold ocean surf. Tiny black ears lace tightly against skullcap as Nova charges forward, her powerful forelegs striking out against the ocean current until her feet find ground upon the pebbled stones beneath the shallow waters.

She does not look back to him, does not meet him upon the shore, instead she rushes from the waters and away from the cold ocean water's grasp. A harsh snort escapes her lungs now as she gives her body a shake, doing her best to rid as much of the salt water from his skin as possible. Her first stay in the Inlet had affected her in more ways than one. Before, she had been unprepared for the biting cold and despite her desert born bloodlines, she had learned to survive the drastically different climate.

For water it is worth, Warsaw does not linger near her for long, instead he sets out towards the other mares that make up his harem. It was clear from the bugle that resounded from his lungs he wanted them all to join. Nova however, was far less interested. Silver blue eyes watch as slowly the mares manifest from the shadows of the thick conifer forest and approach the dappled stallion with eyes alight at his return. The sight brings a grimace of disgust to her lips. Her skin shudders, itching where his mark of claim still swelled along her shoulder. A part of her wanted to stay far away from him and from his little herd, but she knew all to well that when winter's grasp finally did reach the inlet she would need to stick close to the herd for warmth should she wish to survive with so thin a coat.

Reluctantly she turns towards the gathered herd, brilliant eyes hard and cold as she watches them. One little roan mare greets the stallion with friendliness and deep down Nova wonders if she had spent much time around him. Before long she would learn. Another however, draws her gaze. This woman of black and white moves with a regal air about her. She settles into place alongside Warsaw and holds her head up high as though she were some great queen gazing down upon peasants not worth her attention. This immediately causes Nova to lift her own head in defiance and purposefully train her eyes upon the mare. Though no words pass between the two, the fire that flashed in her eyes was a clear one. 'You stay on your side, I'll stay on mine.' She had no intentions on following meekly under the rule of Warsaw, much less some mare that he dubbed his lead.

Nova gives her proud head a shake, water dampened locks curling in haphazard display along the elegant arch of her curved neck. Her gaze turns away from them all now, a single audit angled to the small gathering to listen though she turns her focus upon the emerald green shoots of grass underfoot, doing her best to make herself seem oblivious to the little herd.