The searing Tallsun heat reminds the black titan why he'd been reluctant to join the Dragon's Throat just over a year ago. It is not as severe as last year's inferno, when he'd first made the land his home, but it is still on the uncomfortable side of warm. Volterra finds himself drinking often and seeking the shade of the trees to graze in, his onyx fur attracting the sun like a magnet. He sweats, aches, and is persecuted by flies, making his temper thin and his attitude unpleasant. Only the fact that he is Sultan now prevents him acting like an irritated child and stomping out of the disgusting heat in a huff. He still has a herd to maintain and protect, a body to tone and hone and ripple.

Tallsun has also brought with it a purge. Many of the herd's members have found themselves cast out for inactivity, but not by the Indomitable's choice. He would have preferred to leave them be and search for them in another few months, but alas, they were shunned for their absence. The ebony goliath has already brought his daughter back into the fold, and now it is the turn of the antlered colt who stands on his borders.

The beast approaches quickly, coming from outside the Throat - he'd been spending some time in the frozen north, delighting in the lingering snow to roll in. He sees Jude stood at the threshold to his home - he does not know the boy's sire, but his mother is Nephele, a valued warrior. She will be glad to have him back, he's sure. Before Volterra can move closer, another colt appears. This one has been an active figure in the herd for as long as the stallion can remember, and he approaches both boys with a smile spread across his handsome features. "Hello, boys," comes the great rumble of his voice. It goes against nature to have other men's sons in his herd, colts who can grow up to be rivals to his throne, yet Volterra is hardpressed to think of it that way. Whilst his inner stallion might see these boys as future competition, the rest of him is perfectly happy to have them here amongst his ranks. They may grow up to be loyal soldiers, sworn swords to his name, the backbone of his empire. They are valuable, and they will be protected as they grow to manhood.

He looks to Jude, his white-marked face emphasising the crimson eyes as they gaze upon the antlered youngster. "Have you returned home?" he questions, wanting confirmation that the colt is here to stay.