She is unsurprised to find their group growing so rapidly, appreciative to know she would not stand this ground alone. She is hardly in a condition to fight. As luck would have it, the first to arrive is Castile. His might could certainly come in handy in such a situation. He is angry, however, and she can hardly blame him. The initial response to this upheaval had been lackluster at best. Had she not acted so quickly, they might so easily have lost this land to an enemy. Though she had acted quickly, without prompting, she had, at least, sent warning to Breckin.
Belated it might be, she is still glad to know the woman would send reinforcements. Perhaps their queen would, in time, rally to the challenge. Perhaps not. Only time would tell, and Heartfire would be ready when it did. So she offers a nod to Castile, one of understanding to his frustrations. Still, this is hardly the place to air such disputes.
The stranger responds to her question then, and Heartfire tilts her head in faint opposition. “You are correct in that,” she responds easily, her voice calm, authoritative. “But Nerine has lain claim to this land already.”
She is distracted briefly by the pink mare when she arrives. She recognizes her, of course. An old face, but one she cannot entirely trust. The woman is fickle at best, and she holds little faith that Djinni is here to support her claim. Her words are ambiguous, inspiring no change in her opinion. If the woman held her neutrality, Heartfire would also hold her tongue. But she would keep an eye on her regardless.
But then Leilan is there, saying all things she might have chosen to leave unsaid. She narrows her eyes briefly upon him, but does not try to interrupt. Brash and overly honest he might be, but perhaps in this situation, it could be useful. A balance for the strange mare that had so comfortably arrived, claiming leadership with benevolence.
Heartfire is rarely inclined to trust strangers. And though this one seems honest enough, given what Heartfire can see of her, it is difficult to abandon old prejudices. And when the safety of her kingdom is at stake, doubly so. She says very little while they each snap their demands, while the seafoam mare offers her steadfast responses, though that is hardly unusual for her. She has always been very good at listening, at hearing, at reading between the lines and finding a thread to pull so that the situation might unravel just so. Just as she would wish. And despite the confusion and rage and sly comments bandied about, still she plucks the string that might play the best.
“We will consider an alliance, but you must know that in times such as these trust is difficult. We will uphold your claim on this land, but you must keep a Nerinian resident in a seat of power beside you. As a co-ruler. You will provide us aid and we will provide for you as well, as we would any in allegiance with us.” She glances briefly at Leilan then, her icy gaze calculating. “Leilan, I think, would be an ideal candidate for that role.”
If she knew her uncle at all, she did not think her would turn down such an opportunity. Not when it would so benefit Breckin. And if there was anyone’s loyalty she could be assured of, it would be his.
i see your sins
and i want to set them free
