The mare’s fine lines and beauty was not lost on the golden knight. Any moment that was appropriate he would let his light blue gaze flicker to her body and back to her face hopefully before she could notice his inattention. The wind carefully playing with her mane over her smooth body captured his attention more often than it should have and he had to give credit to natural elegance. As clueless as he could be about some things, such as when to swim through the ocean, he was not stupid when it came to a beautiful mare in front of him. He also knew their hooves could be just as painful in his face as the stallions that often claimed them. Curious, he listened to what she had to say with a raised brow and a slow grin on his golden face.

Laughter bubbled from him and rolled from his lips at her words. Of course. I would not have been happy either if anyone had tried to take away such a gem. Though, I would not pass up the opportunity to try. Perhaps the women of the Peak knew something about the scenario that he did not. He did not know the lead of Paradise, but had not heard anything one way or the other about him since he had come back to the islands. All Ailill knew was, when he was involved, the Ridge and Paradise could never agree on anything that had to do with mares. His mind wandered back to the time he was king of the neighboring land and all he wanted was to rescue a fair lady from the clutches of her father in the Ridge. Now, it seemed, as though it may only happen again with his role the same, but worlds reversed.

Bringing his mind back from thoughts of Rowena, he came back to the mare in front of him with rapt attention and his eyes shined, ears trained on her. It would be my absolute pleasure to welcome you to see the Ridge. Though, I have to ask… if Rougaru got annoyed with the Peak for trying to steal you from under his nose… how would he react to me trying to do the same?