She knew the challenge had been a risky move, but Faolain could not stop herself from prodding her supposedly dangerous neighbor. She had not heard a whisper from him since her arrival, a sign of neither harmlessness nor danger. It just meant she knew too little about him, and she wanted to learn.

But just stopping by was not enough for the black mare’s mischievous curiosity. She had provoke, just a little bit, just to see what would happen. After her talk with Shamwari, the ‘Teke had doubted Rougaru would be willing to form any sort of friendship with her, so she did not feel as though she would lose much when she issued her challenge. Still… among such things as information and satisfaction of curiosity, Faolain admitted to herself that she would also likely gain an enemy. Not a terribly wise move for a new leader, but what other options did she have? Wait around for someone else to pick on her, when she could pick her own enemies just fine? Not her style.

Perhaps, at least, all was not lost for her relationship with her neighbor. Rougaru had responded to her challenge with understandable offense, but she had not observed any outright anger from him. It was possible she was wrong, but the outcome of her challenge, regardless of the prize, had only raised more questions. Once she made her decision, the lithe mare did not hesitate at the border between the Ridge and Paradise; instead, she strode in, letting out a call for the supposed Wolf of Paradise. Her tone was neither aggressive nor timid, simply a call, but she knew Rougaru would know it was her and answer accordingly. She stopped in the shadows of the jungle, not far enough in her neighbor’s territory to be rude, but far enough from the border to be bold, and she cocked one hind hoof in a relaxed and nonthreatening stance. She was ready to meet the Wolf in person.