The longer they spent together and the more Abaddon (as he introduced himself) spoke, the less Ashamin began to think of their encounter as innocent. The dark crowned stag seemed to be nothing of the sort, and to even think the word in his presence felt strange and out of place.

Abaddon’s introduction of name was followed by one of rank, and Ashamin had to admit he was not surprised by this stallion’s choice of herd but he was taken aback by his choice of rank. Citizen? Why do nothing more than exist to be served by others in a herd with a stature clearly better suited to war and defense? Ashamin was certain that in the Unbound this stallion would have much more to do as a crusader than as a citizen of the Dragon’s Throat. And wasn’t Einarr a warrior there, or perhaps even high ranking among them? The Clovenheart was disheartened to think that his old mentor was letting able bodies go to waste in that desert island of his.

But the Clovenheart digressed, and he knew it the moment Abaddon spoke up again. He shook the thoughts from his mind, instead trying to focus on the situation before him. Besides, what right did he have to speculate on the inner workings of Einarr’s surely noble herd?

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Abaddon," Ashamin said with a cool tone and a curt nod. Though this stallion was perhaps somewhat strange and intimidating, Ashamin was being truthful and it was a pleasure. The Clovenheart rarely found someone he wish he hadn’t met.

When the conversation quickly turned to the companions, Lochan and Rakt puffed up with interest. Rakt exuded pride, for his ego was appealed to, while Lochan expressed further interest in the stallion. Why was Abaddon so curious about the notion of companions? Many sought knowledge of them for different reasons, and the little eye wasn’t sure about the altruism of the dark stallion. Nonetheless, Ashamin obliged with an answer. As a member of the Unbound, sharing knowledge was his duty. "Companions first come to Helovia in eggs, but these eggs can be found in many ways. I came across Rakt by chance, and Lochan was given to me at a sort of… gathering of helovians. They often come together and compete in some manner, to show that they are fit to take another soul into their being," Ashamin explained, sure to emphasize the importance of a bond. It was not, after all, something to be taken lightly.

As for where he came from… Ashamin smiled at the question, for he was proud to speak of The Unbound whenever possible. "I served as Haruspex of the Aurora Basin for some time—given the miles that separated our lives, it’s not surprising we’ve never met before. But now I move through the wilds as an outcast, and the leader of a band called the Unbound. We strive to maintain independence while still carrying loyalty for our allies, practice the art of defense, and gather and spread knowledge," the Clovenheart explained quickly. He couldn’t help but raise his brow, but cast Abaddon a look of intrigue. Would the life beckon this citizen to do more, as it had Ashamin?

""