Caesarion had emerged elated and dripping brine in a deluge onto the sands of the southern Crossing shores. Pride swelled in his chest like a balloon; he'd been named second under his father Helios. While it did give him joy, a lingering feeling of undeserving plagued the dark chestnut ever since the announcement had been made.
If he'd been honest with himself, the doubt had cropped up when news of Akkadian's departure broke. Caesarion hadn't understood why his younger brother left. Then again, the fiery princeling hadn't been made aware of the deal his sire had made with Lucifer until mid-winter. A doubt lurked in his thoughts that the black stallion would truly stay away; the challenge and subsequent taking of Mhidas had all but confirmed that for him.
After a deep breath and vigorously shaking some excess saltwater from his body, the young stallion headed deeper into what he assumed was the Commons. His sire had not been able to tell him much about the Crossing Isle, nor any of the other islands. In fact, Helios had hardly left the Dunes, much less Salem itself since his reign had begun. This was all new territory for them, and Caesarion had been eager to charge into the channel toward a new adventure.
It was true that he was young, and, while that might dissuade some mares from choosing him over another, Caesarion hoped that an intentional strength of character or determination might sway them in his favor. It would be trial and error until the chestnut figured out a good approach. He hadn't quite figured out yet what that approach might be as he spent a while scouting the grassland before him. The sheer amount of grass and trees astonished him as the male drank in the landscape. He hadn't quite settled on the right wording to say hello when a call drew his attention.
The stallion's ears curve toward the sound, the sunlight catching in the deep red of his fur. A rush of excited curiosity encourages the chestnut to wend his way in the direction of its source. Caesarion's answer is bright and hearty as it leaves his dark lips. When he spies the mare, the chestnut reminds himself not to move in too quickly. His father had taught him to announce himself in some way at least and to be patient. This advice was taken to heart, even as his breathing quickened with every foot between them that vanished.
The chestnut nickered a greeting to the bronzing mare, a smile on his red lips. His blue eyes would meet hers with an open sense of confidence or at least presence of mind. "Hello," the young stallion remarked, beaming. "I'm Caesarion." A dip of his head marked a more polite greeting gesture before the chestnut splash asked, "Would you like some company?"
Caesarion
the chestnut splash son of Helios & Belladonna