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?
The gray king is always watching, even if he isn’t seen. He can flit about in the forest and they are none the wiser, thanks to his whitetail disguise. It is easy for him now to blend in with the native herds. Of course, it hadn’t always been so, and they had been naturally wary of a mature whitetail appearing amongst them. Certainly his scent was foreign, and though he didn’t know for sure, he assumed that it was blended with his normal equine scent. But now they paid him no mind, and he found it was perfect way to watch his kingdom without seeming overbearing or intrusive. So when the new stallion arrived behind Magnus, it did not escape him. He was a strapping bay with a decidedly foreign scent. Clearly, he wasn’t from Beqanna. The shifter king watched for a while, his ears flicking forward to take in the conversation. He caught snippets mostly, though he was steadily heading towards the pair.
He arrived in time to hear the bays proposal, and Mast was impressed. It wasn’t often that a new member would offer to throw themselves to the wolves, without first swearing an oath to the kingdom. But here was such a thing happening, and Mast gazed at him appraisingly. “I’m Mast, king of the Gates. Welcome.” he said briskly, his antlered head held high. He didn’t ask for a name just yet, for he assumed either Magnus or the bay himself would give it to him. Clearly the conversation was moving quickly, as it was always better to strike while the iron was hot. “That’s very admirable of you. Brave indeed. To have no vested interest in the kingdom, and still offer yourself willingly.” he said, nodding his head in respect. “As Magnus said, our queen made a deal. A deal that none of us like, but she insisted that we respect her wishes. But as Magnus said, it makes us look weak.” The bitterness rose in his voice, hardening it to something like granite. Finally he sighed, letting the tension flow from his shoulders though it remained in the lines of his face. “If you would like to go, I will not stop you. But I must warn you- their queen is powerfully magical. Her ravens may very well be able to detect your trickery. There are also several other magical individuals. Fire wielders, for one, and their general is a hardened warrior from years gone past. We currently have one of their own, and we will have her for several more months. Perhaps, if things go awry, I can offer their queen a trade.” With a glance toward Magnus, he waited to see just which direction the bay would go.
M A S T