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It was not Nekharat’s desire to bring Persephone the news of Rougaru’s meddling initially, nor did she intend to drag the lady of the Forest into a tangled web she took no part in spinning. In either case, she felt it was right and fair for her to hear the recent developments that the red mare was privy to—as good allies often did for one another. She wished that this visit could have been more mellow, but the matters of righting wrongs were never so simple.

She dipped her head again and offered the bay mare a warm smile, glad that they could begin this relationship on such welcome terms.

“I am glad to hear it, Persephone,” Nekharat began. “And as a matter of fact, yes. I have learned in a recent meeting with Rille that Rougaru has targeted his herd, and I have seen firsthand the fear in the eyes of those who deigned to disobey him.”

The red mare paused a moment, giving space for her to process this information. She knew that Rougaru had played a key role in the war, choosing to uphold oppressive, traditional beliefs that women were lesser creatures. The idea made Nekharat’s blood boil, but there was some part of her that wanted to understand his perspective as well. After all, Solomon and Wasp had two entirely different views on each other, and in speaking with them both, the Akhal-Teke mare could piece together a picture that was closer to truth than radical revolutionism on either side.

“I am wondering if it would be pertinent to pay him a visit myself,” Nekharat added, testing the other mare for advice, if she might be so kind to offer it.

NEKHARAT