She had not taken but a few steps before a voice called her back. Faolain twisted her slender neck toward the masculine voice, meeting the eyes of the pale stallion to whom it belonged. She listened to his words, letting the emotions that came with them roll around in her head for a few moments. Until recently they would have been met with blankness, but Faolain was beginning to understand the desperation of the two taller horses in front of her. They had families too. She had known this, and had not intended to act cruelly, but feeling it from the individuals who stood in front of her now was still different.

"No one owns land, or others," she said, choosing her words carefully. Movement at the edge of vision pulled her eyes to the side, and she stopped talking as a smaller, shaggy stallion strode into their little clearing. His body was lined with tension; he was clearly unhappy at Faolain’s presence. This was closer to what she had expected, though the lead stallion himself had been hidden well enough that Faolain thought he was absent from the land entirely. Her dark gaze swept over him, noting the haggard appearance, the knots in the stallion’s thick mane and tail. How does he live in a land like this, with such heat and humidity? Surely it is uncomfortable, she thought to herself, but did not say so out loud. She remained attentive as Björn invited her to leave, though her face betrayed no reaction to the ice behind the words.

"By all accounts, you abandoned this land, and the ones you protect," she said, her voice quiet, unassuming. She was not accusing him, just laying out the facts, but it wouldn’t be the first time she had unintentionally hit some nerves. "I am not interested in why you wish to stay. I know you have a family, and children. I have a family as well. I came here honorably, and I will fight for my family with honor. I wish no ill will to you or your people, and I do not ask you to leave. My purpose is only to protect those who come into my care." She bowed her head to the other leader, lowering her hollow gaze for a brief moment. "Your family respects you, Björn. I am sure you will do what is best for them."

Her dark amber eyes had lifted once again to meet Björn’s blue ones. Faolain had considered this outcome, and she felt justified in standing her ground. Though objectively she posed no immediate threat to Björn and his herd, she was beginning to understand the protectiveness the Icelandic stallion possessed. Faolain had grown fiercely fond of Rivaini and Iscariot; they were the first people in her nomad life to make her feel at home. For this reason, a tiny seed of anxiety began to sprout in her stomach; she did not want to fail them, and if Björn was willing to fight for leadership, she may not win, and he may chase her out. She kept her face blank as she appraised the three Ridge inhabitants before her, and breathed deeply to center herself.

Her ears flicked back to the chestnut mare as she spoke again. Her gaze was sympathetic but unyielding. She did not respond with words, but instead nodded toward the other mare, lowering eyes humbly once again. She was appreciative of the chestnut’s input and of her kind words, even if Faolain’s intentions did not line up. She raised her head once more and surveyed the quiet group. They did not speak much more than was necessary, a trait Faolain herself possessed, and she respected that; only the insecure benefitted from sugar-coating one’s words, or beating around the bush. Faolain preferred to be direct.

She addressed the entire group. "I do not expect to be accepted or trusted. I hope you come to find that I mean no harm," she said. "I will force no one out who wishes to stay peacefully." This time she did not leave, but stood unmoving, waiting for the reactions of the others. Her business here was not with them, but with herself, Rivaini, and Iscariot. She cared very little what they decided to do so long as their intentions were amicable. She said no more for the time being, mostly waiting for Björn’s response to her refusal to leave. He had mentioned an agreement, and Faolain thought her terms were quite agreeable.