Some have wondered why Brennen continues to live in Ischia, when he serves Nerine and the Brilliant Pampas. Perhaps those who wonder have forgotten that Brennen’s magic is tied to the water. Nerine might be a seaside Kingdom as well, but not much beats the kick of being surrounded by water. Perhaps also they do not know of his history here – it is not currently his land, but a part of his soul belongs here.

A part of him wants to bristle at Ivar’s threats against Aodhan, his disregard of Aquaria’s position here, but the more ruthless part of Brennen wants to see them fight their own battles, to an extent. He would, out of mere academic curiosity, love to see the shifter and the kelpie face off. It would be an interested battle, and perhaps one the old warrior could learn some new tricks from. And he’s always up for testing the mettle of whoever claims to rule Ischia, but in the end, he would not allow Ivar to wrest it from this mare. Would not trust his family’s safety on Heim if Ivar was any more prominent here.

Idly, he wonders if anyone realizes exactly how dangerous Ischia is at the moment, with its current residents. The Beachmasters are certainly a powerful group.

Amber eyes resting on Aquaria as she threatens Ivar, Brennen considers for the first time that Aquaria might be dangerous as well. It fills him…not with pride, because she is not really anything to him to have pride in, but with satisfaction in the least. When she issues her request, he lowers his dished face in a long, slow nod. “It would be my pleasure,” comes the quiet drawl, and the smile on his face when he turns back to Ivar is more a baring of teeth.

Taking a single step to steady his position, Brennen locks gaze on Ivar, prepared to engage physically if the blue and white moves. Extending his senses out into the depths of the familiar sun-warmed sea, he pulls on the magic to weave a net of bright magic strands around himself and the other stallion, infusing them with all of his own irritation at Ivar as well as his determination. A light test of the magic would offer a stinging rebuke; a true attempt to breach the barrier would offer a reactionary force to match the escape attempt, throwing the escapee back into the circle of sand.

A part of him hopes Ivar is uncooperative. Brennen hasn’t had a good fight recently.