If Rexanna had a favor to ask of Ashamin, then of course he would oblige. Were she only a friend, he would have obliged. But the fact of the matter was that there was something closer about their relationship now, something that simply could not be defined as simply as friends could. They had a child together, and that had changed their dynamic even more than Ashamin had expected. Whenever they were alone together the question became: who was to care for Rein? And though the child was certainly not a burden, was rather a joy that had lit up Ashamin's life, it was another thing that Ashamin did need to worry about, now.

If they were in a pinch then Ashamin would leave his companions with the boy, but luckily they had found a good babysitter in Johnny this time. Ashamin needed all the help Lochan and Rakt could provide, and their company alone was good enough encouragement. For the favor that Rexanna had asked was not a mere errand collecting herbs, it was in fact the retrieval of an entire being.

That was another thing entirely.

Ashamin's magic to manifest was new and still weak, without encouragement and the occasional moment to rest it would not have maintained its tether. But somehow the haruspex managed to pull it off, and so from this dark stranger's heart he pulled forth a creature, one very unlike his own.

What Ashamin saw in this fugitive's breast was a roiling mass, streaks of dark blue electricity that bonded together to form a dripping, drooling creature on four legs. Light glowed from its ribs, blue and white and looking more deadly than it was. Its face was a skull, its horns twisting back just like the captive's. It's form, altogether no larger than some of the wild dogs Ashamin had seen in the woods, was covered in electric chains.

This, the first time Ashamin had used his new magic on another, was a terrifying result. Ashamin had seen only his own heart, but that vision had been fleeting and not concrete. Why was this stallion's so ugly, so haunted? With every step it clawed at its eyes, looking back as if for something left behind. But these were just what Ashamin saw in the other buck's heart, shadowy reflections of a poorly formed perception. That, then, was the question. Why did Ashamin see this stallion as so hideous, so great and vicious a threat that he needed to be in chains?

Ashamin was thankful when the border came into view. His two companions were tired from constantly circling the companion that was their natural predator, from putting on brave faces and waving budding antlers in the hellhound's face. Ashamin's coat, covered in sweat, shuddered as his heartbeat magic was released and the manifestation's resting rate was allowed to turn to normal. To twist the heartbeat had not only been taxing, but it had forced Ashamin to watch the contortion--to see the pain of his magic as if inflicted on this creature.

Through all of that, he had barely noticed the striped stallion Rexanna herded towards their home. And though he was tired when Rexanna called for a lead, he did not hide the electric spirit. He cast a hollow glance at the prisoner, still unsure as to why they were taking him captive, and moved slowly towards Rexanna. His body felt weighted down, despite the fact that he wore only his sarong, necklace, and coil. Frankly, he was exhausted.

"Let him stay as my prisoner for now, Rex," he whispered to her once he was close enough, casting a nervous look towards the stallion. "I don't trust you with the beast I feel in him." His long tail moved to brush against her side, his body assumed an offensive stance. Should they be met with resistance, he would be ready.



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