It was not difficult to spot the one who'd found him. Marked in gold more vibrant than anything autumn's leaves could become, there was nothing remotely stealthy about the mare's appearance or pace. Emerald eyes were watchful, appraising, recognizing the swagger of a warrior full of themselves. His tail flicked against his hocks, silently amused that there were ever young would-be soldiers full of certainty of their capabilities. He wondered if she'd be able to survive a bloody war to become one of the seasoned warriors haunted by the deaths they'd seen, or one of the casualties.
Ears flickered, outwards then forwards, as he watched her attempts at polite conversation. Privately he hoped she was better in the arena than in the social parlors, for her sake. A rueful smile tugged at his lips, before blooming into a true, open one of greeting before allowing his voice to chime out in cheery tenor tones. "Salutations to you as well, Corporal Illynx. I am Ruka." Purposefully he refrained from sharing the details of his past. No need to sound as though he was boasting!