Asmodeus had almost forgotten what the thrill of danger was like, but it had trilled through him as he approached the silver stallion with the predatory gleam in his eye. Perhaps it would have been better for the chimera to try and hide his condition, but he assumed that would have gone worse. As low of an opinion as Asmodeus might have of a Rougaru son, he could not claim that Annubis was entirely stupid. Irritating, yes. Infuriating, very much yes. But stupid? Not quite.

Hiding that he was injured would have made it seem as though it were something that Asmodeus wanted hidden, and therefore make it a target. By leaving it in the open, it was almost as though he was either attempting honesty with his previous almost-foe, or implying that it was not as much of a detriment as it seemed.

"Glad to see you're not as dumb as you look," he answered conversationally, taking his cue from Annubis' veiled insults to lob his own after he correctly named the reason Asmodeus had not handed the land back immediately.

He snorts as the silver-haired stallion attempts to threaten him, and allows a smile to curve along his tired lips. "I'd reckon it would take more than a strong wind," he murmured, again aiming for honesty, "though not much more. It's a good thing you're more like a gentle breeze."

Asmodeus shook his head, trying to clear it. He needed to be careful here, and insulting Annubis wasn't going to get him what he wanted. There was a million things he could have done, if his intent in all of this had been to screw Annubis over. He could have given the land to someone in his family who was not injured, could have called someone he knew who would be more pliable to a monarchy. Could have claimed and stolen all of his mares and children and thrown them all to the four winds, forcing Annubis to hunt to find them again.

Could have. But didn't.

"But yes, Annubis, you are right. I will be King of Atlantis and I would rather gain that crown through mutual agreement," he said plainly, letting the implication he would gain it through force if he must hang for a moment. "So apart from getting your family home and herd back safely - which is a given - what would make supporting me worth it for you, Annubis?"

Adult Stallion 16.0HClassic Champagne ChimeraSolomon x Xiomara