Desert

She was a pretty thing, innocent and naive but sweet, much like his precious Calypso had once been. Fluted ears perk forward curiously as her gaze roams across the battle worn flesh of his body. Fear. That was the reaction he expected to see shining in her eyes. Fear and apprehension, like a deer caught in a pack’s trap, watching wide-eyed and rigid as the gray furred beasts closed in around it on all sides. He waited to see the flash of white in her eyes as they grew in size and her jaw parted in a silent scream or pitiful wail. He waited to see the tension build up beneath her sterling dusted coat, as her muscles coiled and waited impatiently for release. He waited…

But that is far from the reaction he receives which only adds to his curiosity and intrigue. Instead of recognizing him as the wolf that haunted the islands and stole mares and children from beneath the watching eyes of their sleeping stallions, she smiles at him. Now it is his turn to be flabbergasted for that is the only explanation that he has that would best describe his current appearance. The wolf is left with his bottom jaw dropping a hinge or two and confusion lighting its golden eyes. He too shares the beast’s surprise but does his best to keep the mask of friendliness kept firmly in place.

He listens with rapt attention as she goes on to explain her situation in a bit more detail. Her daughter being bound for the Hills was intriguing. As far as he knew, the little boy prince-king had kept to himself, aside from a quick visit with Nyimara in the Dunes. Listening now, it seemed that he had been far busier than the little witch knew of. Interesting. A single lobe flickers in acknowledgement as he bobs his head slightly, tilting his back hoof against the hard desert ground comfortably. ”I know the place…” he breathes letting his voice trail off. The hills bordered the desert to the north, causing the young upstart to cross his lands in an effort to reach the Dunes which he had apparently done on a few occasions now. As a younger stallion, that might have bothered the wolf and he might have acted against him. Now, well he didn’t like to think that he had mellowed with age but so far the youth had not attempted to steal even a grain of sand from him. Why waste the energy when it could be spent elsewhere? Like knocking the ice king on his royal ass.

’My name is Lilija…. sorry…I should have led with that.” she draws his mind away from the wolf and its thoughts of revenge once more. She shakes her pretty head and he cannot stop the softening smile that grows on his lips. ”No need to apologize Lilija…” he says, reaching out his graying whiskered maw towards her own if only to reassure her that he did not need her apology. ”I would be happy to lead you in the right direction if only to share your company a while longer.” he continues. He blinks his bright green eyes at her now, tilting his head slightly, ”If you don’t mind the company. Salem can be unforgiving to those unfamiliar with its terrain.”