Common

Cool water soothed the chimera stallion's skin as he swam away from the shores of Salem, the sun warming his back as he headed out to sea. His brilliant blue eyes fixed on the distant green smudge that marked the Crossing Isle. His time in Salem had been productive; now, as the new king of the Badlands, he sought more members to join him in the arid land.

He felt sand beneath his hooves as the ocean floor rose, slowing his pace in the bubbling surf. His blue eyes scanned the landscape before him, taking in the craggy mountains of the Peak and the rugged sea cliffs. This was not the stallion’s first time on the Crossing Isle, being born of Atlantis and of the islands, he knew it well.

Satisfied, the stallion strode into the Commons, his gaze shifting from one pair of horses to the next. He sought someone alone, narrowing his search. His dark-tipped ears flicked, listening to the murmur of nearby conversations. A soft whisper of wind drew his attention to a lone horse, her pale coat a striking contrast to the shadows where she hid. Cautiously, the Badlands King moved through the tall grass toward her.

Clearing his throat, he lowered his head, seeking to gain her attention without causing alarm. "Are you alright?" he asked gently, his brow furrowed with concern. He maintained a respectful distance, careful not to frighten her.