Wherever her sociopathic family went, their shadow followed. Everyone was covered by the protection of her metaphorical wings, and would remain under their safe shadows until the day she died or she was forced from their ranks forever. Long limbs danced forward, silent as a panther on the prowl. Wind tousled ebony locks, bringing it over dark shoulders. Stalking the edges of their home, a nightmare awaiting those who tried to enter without reason. It may not be official, but to her the woods were as precious to her as a herd land. Crown rose quickly as a sharp, short neigh broke the silence of the forest like a bullet piercing the air. Violet irises narrowed to tiny slits of amethyst as she placed the tone. Phaedra. But the temptress palomino was a spy, was she not? So that meant it had to be important if she was calling the Grey to a full meeting. With a quick turn of her heels Lakota lengthened her stride into a ground eating lope, gliding around trees without breaking her stride. Mind full of ideas, wondering what Phaedra could possibly be calling them for. If it ended up being unimportant, Lakota would be enraged. She had borders to patrol, members to recruit, information to gather, assignments to finish. It seemed she kept hissing in her mind that she was not a babysitter! Age wise she was older than most of them, though she hardly felt old. They were simply so young. In time, they would have the same air she held about her. Ktulu and Ophelia were the exception, for they had somehow achieved the same aura in so few years.

Face was carefully constructed into polite frigidity as gait slowed to a trot, approaching the small gaggle of members. Ktulu, the wolf stallion she hardly knew, and a stallion she did not know at all. Appearing without a word into their midst, eyes darting distrustfully at the massive draft brute. He spoke his name and title, and Lakota's eyes flashed briefly. Archibald. He had been lead of the Foothills, had he not? They were right below the hills, and she had not heard of the change in leadership. What kept the wariness on her gaze was the fact that he had not spoken of his acceptance. Tall frame was drawn high a few feet from her Queen, and two paces before Phaedra. Ready to defend them, should she need to. Lakota did not know this male, and he was therefore to be watched carefully until Ktulu somehow told her either through body language or verbally that he was no enemy. Words could be changed, and she would only trust the judgement of her leader. Until that happened, hawk eyes watched him carefully from the corner of her vision. Phaedra spoke only once they had gathered, in response to Ktulu's sharp words. Lakota was briefly struck by the pride she always felt, being a part of the Grey. They were small, but they were strong. Eyes drawn heavenwards to the bird Phaedra mentioned, briefly curious in a cold fashion. So the mare had gotten a companion? It would be good for scouting, she found herself thinking. Gaze drifting back down to land on the pegasus, awaiting answers herself.

Stiffly she waited through her explanations. It seemed that she had not been called needlessly. This bastard, Tio...power hungry children were not on her list of favorites. Especially when they threatened her lifestyle. Face tightened with concealed rage when Phaedra quickly revealed that she had been offered position in his imaginary band. She may not approve of flirtatious mares, but Phaedra was excellent at her job, and she was a vital part of the Grey. Lakota would fight tooth and nail to keep her, though she was calmed by the fact that Phaedra had played her words well. Tail flicked slowly, only showing her irritation by the small flick at the end of her hocks. Bastard, trying to lure their members in. And when she finished, Lakota narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke. "This strategy you speak of. Is it through logic and surprise he hopes to gain power, or is he capable of fighting? Has he gained any members that you know of?" Words slipping out like black silk, eyes locked on Phaedra's. Not in a menacing manner, of course. Now, she was taking her position as a mercenary. She needed to know the basics; how many, their abilities, their plans, their home base.