In truth, it was only Wren's sorrow that had kept his anger in check. He had been ready to punish Aranck once he'd learned the full truth of what had happened to Isabel, but to hear how he had also gone after Wren in the safety of the Cove was beyond redemption. What had happened to his stepdaughter was barely excusable, but it had been so similar to his own actions in the past with Harley Quinn that he had been hesitant to draw too harsh of a line.

That reticence was gone now.

Aranck would pay. First with the loss of his mares, and then the loss of his land, just as soon as Solomon could orchestrate it. If he could somehow figure out how to make the Arch lead pay with his life, he would, but for now, he would settle for his suffering.

He would have liked to install Kendry in the Arch, at least temporarily, but his Regent had chosen to depart to other lands. Not only did this leave him with an empty Regent position yet again, but it meant that he didn't have a readily available pawn to place in Aranck's place. He could perhaps attempt to shove one of his sons over, but in truth, he wasn't ready to subject them to Aranck's revenge. They were young and eager, but Solomon was not willing to risk them.

Instead, his mind had alighted on something Aranck had mentioned in their first meeting, before Solomon had known the depth of his treachery. Supposedly, a son of the Arch stallion resided in the Inlet, and Solomon could think of no better karmic option than for his estranged son to take over the father's land. Especially considering Ironclad had already determined that this son was worth being trusted, if the rumors were to be believed of Zharko's position. Even if this solution was only temporary, it would allow all of the Tinuvel herds to breathe a little easier.

Solomon moved into the Inlet slowly, his gaze passing thoughtfully over the open field in which he had fought Ironclad for his title. They had not spoken since that day, and Solomon regretted that their first meeting would be to discuss something as vile as Aranck, but he hoped that their prior friendship would override the unfortunate matter he needed to bring up. Lifting his head, Solomon called out for his ally, and loosed a call for Zharko also. He did not know the second stallion that he summoned, but he knew that he would need his help to make this plan work. Finally, Solomon's path stilled and he quieted to wait for the two that he had called.

Solomon