Before Nerine, she had never considered herself given to any particularly strong alliances. She had been a free agent at heart, a citizen of the world, as it were. The cliff side kingdom had really quite grown on her though. It has settled into her skin in a way she had never expected, drawing and holding her like nothing before ever had. Oh, her feet still know little of constraint, wandering quite where she pleases, but she has a place now to truly call home. A place she can always come back to.

As it turns out, her tendencies have proved quite a boon to the kingdom as well. If things go as planned, she would be far more than a simple soldier very soon.

Hooves digging into the sand, she makes her way along the wandering shores of her home. An occasional surge of salty water laps at her dark hooves, causing the normally dull black to glisten in the late sun. Her path, though it may seem aimless, is far from it. It is a path that will allow her to intersect with the spotted mare she had so recently met in the meadow.

Having parted ways so amicably, with her invitation hanging in the air, she has followed Aditi since then. Not in body, but in sight, curious as to what she might choose to do. Of course, she never approaches those in the field without due cause and a fair certainty that her offer can appeal to them, so it really comes as no surprise. In any case, she is pleased that the buckskin had made the choice she had.

So when the mare calls for her, she is actually quite close by and makes her appearance readily enough. As she ambles towards her recent acquaintance, she offers an amicable nod before drawing alongside Aditi and assuming a leisurely stance. “Welcome, Aditi.”

Shifting her blue gaze, she considers the other mare for a moment before inquiring, “By your presence, I take it to mean you have come to a decision?”

In many respects, she and the queen of Nerine are quite similar. Of course, Heartfire’s reach is perhaps subtler, but no less extensive. She enjoys the power, but has never needed the acknowledgement. Not that she would turn her nose up at it of course, but it had never been required. It is fortunate, perhaps, that she and Nayl are on the same team, so to speak. She would hate to see them enemies. She has already been making plenty of those, though truth to tell, most of them would never dare to come forward.

But these are thoughts she keeps well and truly to herself, tucked safely inside her breast. She has never been one to reveal her plans lightly. She has always made certain to keep any conceit in check. It has so often been the downfall of many a great king or queen.

Both a prophecy and warning if ever there was one.

As Nayl approaches them, Heartfire offers her faint nod of greeting before turning her gaze back to the sea. Her attention though, remains upon the spotted mare so recently come to their land. She felt the woman could be a good addition to their home, given the right incentive. And knowing Nayl as she does, she had just offered it.

The conversation had turned between the two, giving her the opportunity to study their interaction. Though her input is largely unnecessary, she adds briefly, quietly, “Such things are a marathon, not a race. A mindset so rarely appreciated.” before subsiding and allowing them to take the reins of the conversation.

She could learn far more silently watching, listening, than she ever would constantly talking.