He took a deep breath, feeling the rough texture of his whiskered lip as his icy gaze roamed over his homeland. The thick jungle buzzed with life, with vibrant macaws squawking among the treetops and lemurs gracefully leaping from branch to branch. Despite the gradual growth of his herd, a mixture of contentment and yearning stirred within him—a desire to expand and enrich Paradise. His eyes narrowed at a distant green island, its outline faint against the shimmering ocean. He understood that attacking Atlantis would be ill-advised, yet the other islands seemed like fair targets.

With a gentle parting of his lips, a commanding bugle echoed, calling Carthage from the lush undergrowth beside him. He shifted his frigid gaze toward the shadows, anticipating the emergence of the onyx stallion at the water's edge. Together, they would set off for Luthien. A solitary stallion would find it difficult to fend off two raiders, especially if one was distracted while the other forced a captive into the sea. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as Carthage finally stepped into the brilliant tropical sunlight. He nodded in recognition and made his way across the solid sands, where the cool waves embraced his skin as they began their journey to Luthien.

The King propelled himself through the sea, his muscular legs cutting through the water with powerful strokes. His glacier-blue eyes remained fixed on the shore, which steadily approached as the ocean floor rose to meet them. He did not slow down; instead, he surged through the surf and onto the firm sand. Fresh tracks caught his attention, leading from the beach into the shadowy forest. Adrenaline surged through his veins, his heart pounding against his ribs. Excitement thrummed in every muscle of his body. Dropping his head low, he moved swiftly along the path, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled the scents of damp leaves, wet earth, and the alluring fragrance of a mare.

His pace quickened as her scent intensified until, finally, she appeared from the shadows, her crimson and white coat vibrant against the dark greens of her surroundings. He slowed, shifting his weight to his haunches, aware that Carthage would either be close behind or would have found another trail to intercept her. "You seem quite out of place here. Paradise would suit you better," he murmured, his voice lacking venom or malice—merely stating the truth.