The speckled dove's light comments fell mirthfully on the air, and the golden cocked his brow above a smile. She was indeed right; he hadn't actually come out and asked for her name. He was so used to giving out his own, and receiving those of others that it just seemed common place to expect it. For a moment, he thought she might still keep the title from him, as if it held some importance that he ought not know. Phaedra. It was a lovely name, fitting for someone so beautiful - maybe not for the rude spy he'd first met, but then, he'd had few manners that day as well.

The palomino asked his question, and suddenly she was moving away, stepping off to walk along the steep edge of the rocky isle. Then her voice rang out again, this time much more quiet and somber. Guilt flooded his chest again, and lines of concern tightened over his features. Was it the harm he'd done to her, that she wanted to speak of? Or was there something else he might have done to upset her, to make her lose that bright, jovial smile? Gently, sooty limbs took a few steps closer to the side of the smaller mare. Her chartruese sights were back on him again, but it would soon be his turn to look away. Pale cream locks flounced as he turned his head to look out across the horizon of blues, darkened ears twisting unpleasantly to point towards his skull. They were the only one of his features that betrayed some anger at her confession, for the gold curves of his face remained calm and smooth. "And what did those Unicorns say to your generosity?" He said coolly, disregarding the need she'd felt to mention who led them. That ebon bitch, arrogant and small minded, and yet Faelene warned him of her manipulative prowess. No, he did not doubt that; underestimating anyone was a bad idea to begin with. It was almost comical, to think that the mercenaries would give out their services so freely. Did they have no true allies then? Did they have no sense of loyalty, but a drive to be compensated for doing anyone else's dirty work? The way Phaedra had initially talked of her group had made him believe that they had a desire for peace; a thing he could support and fight for. I need to stop putting faith in the words of mares I know so little about. He thought to himself, reminded of Kri's sudden change in demeanor at the very mention of disagreement with her ideas.

Faelene's name was spoken, and his aureate eyes flashed back to the turned head of the blond. She mentioned the name of some other, likely another Basin Unicorn, and one that he had never met nor heard of. "What use does the Grey have for warriors?" He asked, a light curiosity clear in his tone. Were they planning on attacking anyone in particular, or did they utilize soldiers as a force of body guards, to protect their trouble-stirring spies? There was too much he didn't know about Phaedra's group.