Feeling Levi's touch at her shoulder, Aryel's passive expression lit up into a warm smile, and she returned his nuzzle. Showing affection was no doubt against normal etiquette for meeting visiting dignitaries, but when had Aryel every shown concern for etiquette? Besides, what was a nuzzle among friends? Or more than friends, maybe...

She moved the thought out of her head as more horses joined them. First Chancellor Sumati, who received a respectful nod from the Sergeant, then General Midas, also nodded at, and finally a Foothills horse she did not recognized. Aryel regarded her with cool politeness, much as she did Ophelia. In her eyes they were not evil, but no matter how she looked at them, all she saw were the ranks of previous Foothills horses, pitifully small, massed against Ophelia's lot.

She listened as Ophelia explained her reason for visiting. So, there was another warrior band on the loose? Her brows furrowed as a moment of understanding came. No. Another mercenary band. Keeping herself from scowling was difficult. Did Ophelia really want to warn them, or did she just want them to protect the monopoly her group wanted to maintain?! "With all due respect, Chieftess," she said before her better judgement could stop her, "isn't that group much like your Gray?" Outright accusing her would be stupid even for Aryel, but her irritation had gotten the best of her. Their threat against the Edge caused her to worry momentarily, but if it was as small as Ophelia claimed, what was the problem? Why should they care about this tiny Assassin band? They had some of the best warriors in Helovia. Aryel didn't approve of mercenaries without morals in the first place, and what she had seen of the Gray in combat had placed them in this category. Of course, the uniequine would only care about her own people.

She snorted quietly as Ophelia asked one of them to travel to the Edge, listening as Midas volunteered. No need for her, then, not that she had any interest in going. She would be removing herself from the meeting presently, she only wished to hear Ophelia's justification. Swinging her gaze back to the silvery mare, she waited, irritation visible in her hooded eyes and stiff posture.

Walk walk walk walk.
"Talk talk talk talk."