EVERYONE

[Aditi]

Aditi

i'm contagious, it'd be safest if you ran

Half a year ago, she had slipped from the cliffs of Nerine to return to her post in the Forest. There had been nothing particularly wrong with the band of horses who'd collected under the reign of Nayl or the location they'd made their home, but the sea-salty air is not Aditi's friend, nor is the constant roar of the water along the rocky cliff side. Heartfire had acted as a pleasant enough host, but the speckled mare hadn't ever found the strength to truly dedicate herself to the land of Nerine, so she'd left.

The Forest had proven far more compelling, full of secret trysts and scheming congregations. She'd happened upon the red-eyed wraith, the former King of Taiga, and his group of ill-intent a time or two, but she had never truly introduced herself, instead electing to simply watch, listen, learn. Gryffen's prowess as a leader and ability to organize large groups succinctly and effectively had impressed her early on; she could see the worth in him, in his vision, and despite her growing belly, she yearned to be a part of his plans. To feel welcomed into a group that wasn't afraid to do something, to make names for themselves... To strike fear into those who heard their names.

It's late morning when the excited whispers reach her. She can almost hear the cogs start their turning and the rhythmic hoof beats of war resounding powerfully against the frozen springtime ground. She is quick to follow them, her chocolate eyes calculating their movements as she inserts herself into the puzzle as a final piece that she hopes they will see value in. Aditi hangs back slightly as they converge on Sylva and the tobiano Queen who - conveniently - has chosen today to lay down her crown and remove herself from the eternal autumn forest.

Gryffen's assembly moves into the forest, already outnumbering those who had previously called it home, and Aditi brings her speckled body to heel a few yards away from the white wraith and his wolf Queen. The she-wolf howls, causing shivers to run the length of the Nez Perce's spine. She grins involuntarily at the fear that howl will come to instill before she turns her chocolate gaze to the powerful duo.

"You are quick to find greatness, white wraith. I offer you my loyalty, if you'll have it."