More appear as he speaks, others appear after he has finished. And some step forward claiming ranks for their own, while others remain silently at the edges. Mauja, his spotted friend, is a silent one, with the splashed Naerys equally silent beside him. He would have to speak with him later— a broken man needed purpose.

The little, abandoned Hera appears, and a small frown crosses his face as she tries to eat grass. Elsa is quick to help the filly, though his eyes land on the pregnant sides of his Glazer— perhaps she will be of help to the foal. His frown turns to a slight smile as Erthe exuberantly exclaims her excitement at his title. His black brows raise in surprise at her proclamation at wishing to follow Alune’s religious footsteps.

He watches his remaining Moon Doctors appear, Calista and Evangeline. They, with Alysanne, speak among themselves; Eva gifting a feather to the moon’s new apprentice. He nods marginally in approval, appreciating the generosity of his head Healer.

Newer herd members, Lithium, Hesperos, and a handsomely stripped man he has not met appear. The striped man remains silent, though Hesperos expresses interest in becoming a spy. “Then Sleuth you shall be, Hesperos.” The King is glad the pale stallion is seeking a new path, and new life, in Helovia.

He feels a jealous gaze that accompanies the appearance of Vadim. He watches him levelly, wondering if the man will challenge him— but the father only has eyes for his daughter. The Elephant softens, better understanding the man’s envy. His gaze is drawn to the beautiful Arah. “The Seers will welcome such a lovely mare to their Sage ranks,” his voice rolls as his great head nods briefly in greeting to the antlered woman.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Nyx’s foal scamper off. Though he is busy watching Rohan, and feels a small victory at the respect with which the stallion nods towards him.

But the meeting is too easy, too smooth. It nearly lulls the new King into a sense of security in his title. But, quickly, that is shattered with each, frosty footfall of the newly appeared friesian stallion. He recognizes him from the last meeting, so long ago. Torliek the Bloodskald. The bearded man walks with purpose, gaze unfaltering as he weaves through the crowd.

He commands attention, impressive black frame parting the equines. And Tembovu’s attention does not waver from the cold, blue eyes. At his words, the Elephant pursed his thick lips, King regarding King. To the Elephant, an absent King was an unjust one. Without judicious excising of power, greed and injustice would seed and grow. But to make an enemy of such a formidable stallion and, more importantly, one who had been dedicated to the Edge… that was an unwise choice for a newly appointed King.

But, as the Elephant opens his mouth to address Torliek, the calm is further shattered by the Moon Goddess, herself. Her words, her smoke, her silken sarcasm invade the meeting. Easily, ruthlessly, she dethrones the Bloodskald with the herd as witness. Then her attentions turn on him.

At first, he meets her gaze squarely, towering above the Goddess who so easily played with mortal’s power. Yet, beneath the weight of her silver and pupil-less eyes, he feels her grow in the abstract, whilst he shrinks. So this is divine power; the Elephant is unsure he liked it. Her tart question of him, though perhaps not entirely begging a response, would not go unanswered, “My Lady, my apologies, please grace us with your opinion.” His tone was impassive, carefully so.

His eyes avert to Elsa as the Moon Goddess appoints her Queen. A smile turns up the corners of his pale muzzle and dark lips. Elsa would be a fine co-ruler, the bite to his diplomatic touch.

Blue gaze follows the black smoke of the Goddess, aptly choosing Alune as her Seer. He nods slightly towards the midnight giant, before returning his eyes to the Goddess. “Thank you for your illuminating choices,” he nods his giant head in a brief bow to divine woman. He struggles, and wins, against the urge to study and appreciate the svelte lines of her lavender body.

He turns to Nyx, “With Elsa as Queen, that leaves us without a General. You are, without doubt, the best choice to fill it.” A knowing smile crinkles the corners of his glinting blue eyes before turning to Rohan, “And we currently have no Sergeant. I would be glad to see you fill it, Rohan.”

Finally, he turns his attention to Torliek, the dethroned. “I would not go against the wishes of our Patron, and I do agree with her choice. An absent King cannot ensure just or proper leadership in a herd,” his low booming paused, assessing the man with respect, “However, your service to the Edge and experience with war cannot, and will not, go unnoticed. With Nyx as our General, we have no Captain. I offer you the position.” He considered offering the man Emissary— though would speak first to Mauja about the position.

His eyes glance to the Lady Moon, “Provided, of course, that my choices please our Goddess.” Only now did the barest hints of amusement and sarcasm color the baritone of his voice.