11-22-2016, 03:42 PM
She matched his gaze evenly and he held it as she greeted him in turn. Grace and dignity draped about her invisibly like a fine lace, beauty garnered her fine features. Hearing the name "Kade" on her lips almost made him wish he'd given her his true name, so that the others could shudder at its underlying power, but they would be ignorant to such translations. He was just another face here.
She explained their political structure, though he felt it was more for the others' benefit than for him and allowed his attention to release her. The faces were watchful, some respectful, some confused. He felt no threat lie among them, but he would observe regardless. Habits die hard.
As she came to the ending of her introduction to him, his eyes snapped to her. His nostrils flared at that word, warrior, and his eyes lit with bridled wrath. Did she mock him? But she couldn't know. He doused the flame instantly, jerking his face away from her in secret shame and returning to the cool mask of indifference. The last thing he needed was to bring insult to the one in charge. Josie and her unborn child needed this place, and as they were under his protection it would seem he needed this place as well.
A gray one greeted him then, giving her name as stately and kindly as the woman in charge although he had not addressed her. As though he were a person. Both of them stood so regally and elegant, this one and their leader. Her fine ears tipped toward him and she welcomed him quietly as though he might need some sort of reassurances. He spared her a fleeting glance, but returned to his watch dismissively. Not a threat.
Not particularly loyal either, judging by the doubt on her face and the swift search for her offspring. So eager to be away.
Not his problem.
Although raised as a prince in his homeland, his true duties and necessary actions put him in a position to be unworthy of these women, and so they were not on his radar save to keep them breathing if required of him. He was but a weapon well-forged, and besides which was no longer a prince of anything but death.
Their leader-mare ended her speech to the crowd, declaring the land a beacon of hope and more. He admired her ambitions for the place, she had honest intent and a kind heart, exuding grace and purity that unintentionally made instant demands of him. Without either of them realizing it, he had just signed himself up as her bodyguard.
Home sweet home.
With a last scan across the faces present and a whip of his tail, he turned and left.