The pale mare of cream and silky black was the first to answer his call, and if he were a betting man, he'd guess that she would be the only one as well. Nyimara's loyal herd had been largely silent since his introduction to them, and he would hazard a guess that they would not be eager to pledge their allegiance to him yet... even if he did plan to uphold Nyimara's crown... albeit in a slightly different fashion.

The thought of the proud Desert mare behind beholden to him, rather than the other way around, was an intoxicating thought that he knew would occupy hours of his time to come.

Still, he focuses on Goldenrod instead for now, because she is here, and she is his. Despite the fact that she's never professed any great desire or preference for him, even after following him here. To be fair, he doesn't need her adoration, not yet, but he does not look down on her either. She could yet be a powerful ally or tool for him, and the more numbers he can wield, the more weight his name will carry.

He nodded as she approached, his gaze slipping across her body with feigned appreciation. She was a beautiful mare, but he was in no rush to create another child. Not while he had so much to do on the islands still. Her pseudo-question spawns a grin on his mottled lips and he nods. "Of course you can stay, Goldenrod." He shifts, facing her directly now. "And I promise, your loyalty is noted."

His tail flicks at his haunches as he watches her for a moment, eyes half narrowed. "I'm sorry you didn't have much of a chance to learn from my Queen... but we can begin lessons on the morrow. I want my herd as strong as possible, you included."