Ridge

He hadn't mentioned his father by name, but it is perhaps unsurprising that he does not need to. Warsaw had been king before Solomon, but that had been long before Asmodeus' time on the islands. Arroyo's knowledge of Solomon is unexpected, and sharper than Asmodeus cares to admit. It should not be surprising, given the duration and breadth of Solomon's rule, and his propensity for poking his nose where it hadn't belonged in his early days, but it is. Atlantis has always belonged to his mother in his mind, not to Solomon. It is her memory he wants to draw from, because it was her strength that kept him going now when his father's guilt tries to eat him alive.

"A mark of a wise man," Asmodeus comments, nonplussed, with a dip of his head. "I have given you my name, but perhaps to introduce myself I should explain my intentions with the Shore. I intend to make my home into a place for anyone who wishes to build their strengths." He tips a nod toward the red stallion, but continues to elaborate. "Not that they cannot do so in their natal bands, but I wish for the Shore to become a melting pot of many talents, viewpoints and skills."

His gaze sharpens, but he keeps his posture relaxed, one toe tip tilted into the sand. "With Atlantis united, I aim to leverage that same unity against anyone that would harm us, so that instead of one party seeking retribution it is many." Speak softly, as it were, but carry a large stick. "As King, I would bear the brunt of that weight, just as I would take on the responsibility of seeking retribution on behalf of my allies."

In such an arrangement, Asmodeus stood to gain little more than a metaphorical crown, but the crown itself meant more to him than it being just a title. He couldn't explain why that was, especially when he'd wanted to be nothing like Solomon as a boy, but that did not change the fact that it was true. Gaining the crown would heal something in him that had broken long before he had ever left with Nyimara.

"In return," he continued, "I'd ask only for loyalty. You need not send your grown children to the Shore but I would not turn them away, just as I would not turn away any of the Shore residents from considering your home as well, if you wish it." Asmodeus did not intend to turn the Shore into a prison the way the Cove had seemed to be to some mares. He did not want a herd of lovelocked sycophants to follow him around, pleading for his attention, nor did he intend to cage anyone against their will. He pauses a moment before tipping his head again. "What other questions do you have, Arroyo?"

Adult Stallion 16.0HClassic Champagne ChimeraSolomon x Xiomara