The scent of salt and water filled his nostrils as he stood waiting, tail flciking away impestuous flies that nagged at his obsidian skin. The Dauntless was quite unused to this sort of heat--the dry, arid air that pulled breath from his lung so easily and so harshly. His Falls were much more humid, covered carefully in a cloud of moist, soft air. The taste of the air was bitter on Archiba;d's tongue, and the gladness he felt about not joining Ra all those seasons ago was a relief of his broad shoulders. The desert was miserable. Faintly he wondered how his children faired in the climate. Hopefully Macaria would enjoy the moisture of the Falls. He only wanted the filly to be safe and happy, and now that seasons had passed and her hoof was healed, he knew she was ready to come home. He was ready for her to come home. The distance between them was like a vice on Archibald's heart, and he felt it tug ever so slightly at the briefest mention of her name. As he waited for the leaders of this forsaken (to him) desert, he could only think of the beautiful, grey face of his living daughter. Sighing into the warm air, Loretta brielfy rested her head on her bonded's massive knee.

Shadows flickering across the ground brought Archibald's eye to the skies and to the sea before him. Megaera, aided by wings of fire, gracefully entered his presence. While he offered no smile or warm gesture, Archibald still lowered his head slightly in a bow of respect. While he had held little regard for her upon their first meeting, after their scuffle in the Deep Forest Archibald had grown to understand this woman held value. Golden eyes met her strange black before turning to acknowledge the Wildfire as he also entered on flaming wings--though his were his own, and no jest of the Sun God. The Dauntless Czar also offered the Sultan a respectful nod. The ache in Archibald's heart at the memory of his beloved mate, Circe, was present. But Archibald could not hold it against the stag forever--for he knew what it was like to be controlled, to be manipulated, to be ordered to commit murder. Archibald's own mother had been the black widow, spinning her web, not unlike the Moon Goddess. Shifting his weight, Archibald cleared his throat before speaking.

"I come to rekindle political ties. The Dragon's Throat helped us win our battle to gain a home in the Hidden Falls season ago. We will forever be thankful for that." As he spoke, Archibald's mane was tugged by the gentle, warm wind and the grey feather above his withers bumped against his scarred neck. It belonged to a member of the Throat, but Archibald did not know precisely whom. He had it tied in his mane to show their alliance was strong. He wanted, for the sake of both herds, for that to hold still. "Kaj and I would like to continue theis alliance. We believe both our herds would benefit from the peace, the open trade, and the training we could offer each other in battle and in healing--even, in philosophy or religion." Archibald paused, letting the offer sink in to their minds. "The Hidden Falls can offer crafting of stone, and our warriors are strong of heart and body. Should the Throat need our fortifaction in battle, we will be at your side. We ask that you offer the same for us, should the need arise. Currently, however, the only battle we need to fight together are against the corrupt gods of the lands."

After his words of political alliance, Archibald remembered the flickering image of the tigress mare in his mind. "Also--your Diviner, Maren, found her way into the Hidden Falls some weeks ago. It was after the battle of the Moon Goddess, and she intruded onto the territory and into the birth scene of a colt. I stopped her, and our healer Mikyael healed her of the foreign ailment that had plagued a great many of us. Afterwards, I escorted her from our borders. I hope no grudge is held from this, for I was only acting for the safety of my herd." He nodded his head again, confident in his statements.

"Finally, I have come for my daughter. My sons are grown, and can make the decision of staying within the desert or not on their own. Macaria is young, and I appreciate everything you have done for her in this time of despair for us. Now, however, it is time for her to be home."