you and i both know that the house is haunted; syden, mast, any

I've heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
but you don't really care for music do you?

He was never far away from any of them.

He watched when they weren’t aware, shifting through the underbrush in his deer form. It wasn’t spying, more so being the dutiful sentinel that the kingdom expected him to be. He watched them flourish with a sense of pride, with a swelling in his heart that made his chest feel fit to burst. They were doing exactly as the Chamber thought they wouldn’t; they weren’t surviving, they were thriving. The Chamber had expected them to wither on the vine like a forgotten fruit. Instead, they were blossoming and bringing forth new growth and new fruit. It would take more than the Chamber to poison what they had so diligently cared for.

Summer was slipping into fall and Mast knew soon that the first leaf would fall from the trees. It would be followed by many more, and they would create the food that fed the forest in the long winter months. He slipped through the forest, turning his head this way and that to avoid tangling his impressive set of antlers. His deer form had become like a second skin, and he found himself turning to it for solace. Deer were simple creatures, with simple lives and simple existences. They were not tarnished by wars and ambitions.

He had known almost immediately when Magnus returned, a newcomer at his heels. Despite being simple, deer had a sense of smell to rival almost any creature. Closing his eyes he shifted back into his horse form, albeit leaving his antlers atop his head, cursing silently that he hadn’t shifted outside of the forest. It was much more difficult traversing the multifloral roses and evergreen patches in his horse form. But he made it through, but not without some scratches for his efforts. With a smile though he returned Magnus’ call, though he was already trotting towards the pair. “Welcome to the Gates. I’m Mast, king.” he said pleasantly, dipping his antlered head in greeting. He didn’t want to interrupt the pair, but the new stallion was asking of castes and rankings, and Mast felt he could be of some help. “Our castes are easy enough; war, and peace. Within each caste are four ranks. You may join one caste, or both, or simple remain here as a loyal resident- the decision is yours. Work hard and you’ll climb them quickly. Some kingdoms put all of their efforts into points and whatnot, but we value hard work, plain and simple. Recruit, steal, challenge, debate…all of those will earn you promotions. I’m sorry if I’ve been rude, Magnus.” he said somewhat sheepishly, though a smile lingered on his black muzzle.

M A S T