Aela watches the horned mare carefully, wondering if the mention of why her eldest brother might elicit some kind of reaction. At least, the kind that might give way to any source of knowledge about the Curse. She had found the stories about the brutality and destruction it left behind rather thrilling, but Aela knows that many do not feel the way that she does; they would rather be ordinary and cling to the vestiges of a calmer, duller life.
But not everybody dreams as Aela does, dreaming of waking this peaceful land with a savage shake of Magic.
The slender palomino listens - intrigued at what Mazikeen reveals about Yanhua - and her delicate ears prick forward, glinting gold in the sunlight. She mentions that the Taigan Guardian had become unhinged as well, and for a moment, Aela thinks there might be a chance of salvaging something from her mother's weak blood. Her tall and angular sibling could be quite lethal with those mighty horns, and his great bulk would certainly be an asset if she could sway Yan to her side. That dream dies, though, as Mazikeen mentions that rather than sharpening those lethal antlers or honing his fighting abilities, the other twin has disappeared with a chicken.
"I wish you were too," Aela mentions to the other mare, as the blue interest lighting her eyes deflates. But, perhaps, the information that this shapeshifting creature has given here might be useful. It's easy to imagine how Nashua - aching at the loss of his son, already furious with Gale and Mazikeen, already biased against shifters and vulnerable where it regarded their family - might react. She tucks the information away for later, pleased at the image taking shape in her mind.
She continues to listen as Maikeen reveals that not only have they stolen Bolder, but their son (who for reasons unknown) had been in Tephra.
Was there more to their plans? Did they intend to pluck children from the monarchies across Beqanna to foster (force) an Empire?
"It would seem I owe you a debt," Aela says, deciding to broach the question from another angle. "That tidbit about Yanhua and his... pet should prove to be rather useful later." A small insight to her own plans, and perhaps Mazikeen might reveal a little more. She doesn't think that there is any love lost for her other brother, Nashua, with this mare. Perhaps she might even find some enjoyment in knowing that Aela intended to taunt him with it.
They doused your soul in water,
but the flames raged higher.
And they called you devil's daughter,
such a pretty liar.
@Mazikeen