Romani
‘You have a lovely friend.’ It was a compliment that Romani had not been expecting. Azure eyes glanced down to the said tigress, watching as the cub straightened herself and looked up at Jackal’s taller, more massive frame. She was curious, but knew better than to step forward and investigate. Instead, Kasai would merely wait. Appreciating the kind words from the King of Thieves, Romani dipped her head slightly in grace.
“Thank you,” she said, then promptly grew quiet and allowed the chief to speak. Her ears flicked forward, then back, before swiveling forward again. Yes, it was true… She didn’t trust him, not entirely. Yet instead of belittling her for her lack of trust, he claimed to understand. That, as well, was something unexpected, and caused her to open her mind, and heart, to truly try and comprehend Jackal’s words. And it was also true what the appaloosa claimed about Svetlana. No matter how much devotion she had obtained for the ivory Pegasus, it didn’t change the fact that the StormChaser had, indeed, left them. It had left a bitterness in the Haflinger that hadn’t settled well… Perhaps it was Svetlana’s lack of will that had caused Romani to react cynically towards Jackal? Maybe her anger of the situation had caused her to be blind to what Jackal offered them…? After all, it wasn’t about her; it was all about the Foothills, and what was best for the herd.
Romani had never claimed to be a coward, and she would not run from the truth.
“I understand what you say, Jackal,” the warrior said upon a soft murmur, her voice barely carrying over the sound of the crashing waterfall, “And, much to my surprise in myself, I agree. I was loyal to Svetlana because she found me while I wandered the Threshold, offering me a home and a place to love and protect. Archibald had seen to my abilities, had allowed me to become a warrior to defend these very lands…”
Had it merely been Archibald and Svetlana’s acceptance to her that had caused her to become so loyal? After she had settled into the Foothills, hadn’t the herd been neglected, small, and vulnerable? That was why she had ventured to the Threshold so often; to increase their ranks and help their herd, for it seemed like none of the leads were reaching out for protection, to strengthen their numbers and thus, their safety. Yet, Jackal… Jackal had done that. He had requested a meeting to hear their opinions, something that none of the others had done. He had become an active part of the Foothills, and that alone should have been proof enough for Romani.
Letting out a little breath, a small frown pulled at the palomino’s dark lips. A melancholic look crossed her azure eyes, and she lifted her head once more, soft orbs gazing once more into Jackal’s cool silver. “Perhaps you are right. No… You are right. While I’m sure that their intentions were true for the Foothills, during my time here, however short, I witnessed more talk than action.”
The true Soldier fights not because
He hates what is in front of him,
But because he loves what is behind him.