Archibald stood in the meadow with his head lowered, listening to the far off rumbles of thunder as a summer storm rolled in. Loretta sprawled in the grass a few feet from him, rolling and snapping her jaws at insects joyfully in the Tallsun warmth. The sun warmed Archibald’s dark coat as well and flies bit at his hide ruthlessly. In quick, violent strikes the Dauntless scattered the flies with his tail, skin twitched juxtaposed to battle the fiends. Chewing without a thought, something of interest perked Archibald’s head straight up. Not but a hundred yards from his grazing spot was a gray Arabian stallion, galloping in the meadow. Archibald turned his body to meet the stallion, part of his brain wondering if he should ask him about the stallion Tio, the one that Phaedra saw as such a threat to Helovia, but Archibald did not know if the Arabian would have any knowledge of the bastard. As the gray stallion drew himself into a rear Archibald’s eyes narrowed darkly—so, this stallion wished for a partner? Archibald would satisfy him today. Dismissing the thought of Tio and letting battle plans roll into his mind, the machine moved towards the gray.

Loretta jumped up to follow her bonded as he rolled his hulking body into a smooth trot, coming up on the left side of Arrane and from slightly behind him. The muscles in his shoulders pulled uncomfortably from his battle with Gaucho only days ago now. Pushing the pain down, Archibald stopped only a few lengths, each about the size of Loretta, to the left flank of the stallion. “If it is battle you want, it is battle you will get.” The Dauntless spoke, his voice booming, and fluidly his defenses set. Black as night ears pinned to his head and his neck arched, chin tucking carefully to conceal his sensitive throat. Archibald’s narrowed, golden eyes surveyed the one in front of him. Today, speed would be on the arabian’s side, but strength would certainly be on his. Archibald had fought many lighter horses than him, because most were lighter than him, but specifically he had battled Locket and Lev Fence—both extremely speedy and lithe movers. Archibald was prepared for his battle, but he knew he needed to keep Arrane close to overpower him.

The Dauntless clicks one hoof against the ground lightly, waiting for the strange stallion in front of him to make the first move. Beside him, Loretta lowers her center of balance and mentally calms herself, amber eyes darting across the stallion, shooting images of his skinny legs and thin hair to her bonded. Archibald smirked, grunting roughly, a sure sign to Loretta alone that he took pride in her knowing weaknesses in others. They were truly a team.

[WC: 464 | 0/3 | M&C: 0/2 | BBs: Swift and Endure | Archibald approaches Arrane’s left flank, slightly behind him. Setting up his defenses, he prepared for Arrane to attack first. ]