Ears stood to attention, rising to the call, the summons, and a resulting increase in heart rate spurred the stallion into motion. Wings flourished at his sides, snorts vibrated his nostrils, and the stallion was in the air. He let loose a summons of his own, and swiftly, the slimmer, wiry form of his yearling daughter was by his side. He may not want her to be on the frontline of battle, but that didn't mean he wanted her completely in the dark of the herd goings on. A glance below and he saw the dark smudge of canine that was bonded to Cirrus, following their shadows as they traversed the lands. The dog was growing larger every time he looked upon him, and was fit from the running he did to follow Cirrus about. Azzuen nodded, pleased with the hellhound's devotion, it was necessary if he wanted to continue being welcomed as family by the dark stallion.

War was coming, an invasion. Nerves stood on end, Azzuen felt his blood rushing around his body with a fierce fire. He felt the excitement quaking from his daughter - and he was glad she was still to young to fight, too young to be damaged by the forces of others who would seek to harm, mutilate and kill her. Eyes roamed over the gathering that he was being propelled towards, spying the familiar frames and faces of those he had watched from his patrols in the skies. He had not met nearly enough of them, he would admit, but still he would protect them all without a second thought.

Cirrus could not contain an excited, returning call to their leaders, as they landed and trotted with athletic ease into the fray. Azzuen nodded to those he knew, and offered a solemn smile to those he was yet to meet formally, before giving the mares who expertly directed the herd his attention. The flicka beside him was reunited with her hellhound, who whined softly as he leaned against the belle's strong forelegs, panting from his exertion. A low wuffle of agreement was given to the announcement of ranks from the General, and again for the gifts of amulets, a strong foreleg striking out to stir up sand in a kind of equine applause. The young apprentice healer offered similar emotions, warmth spreading across her face as she pulled upon the calming influences of Onni's lessons, attempting to meet the eyes of those deserving her congratulations.

"We will be ready for whatever may come." Azzuen said with a quiet certainty. "Shall I send word to our allies of the threat?" Little did his daughter know, that she would be the one charged with this task, for the General would use any excuse he could find to remove her from the danger that could potentially be arriving at their own home. Azzuen shifted his weight, restlessness written all over his battle-weary body.

larfsalot.deviantart.com