The General observed the reaction of the stallion with a quiet satisfaction, the one before him had the sort of character that would rise to any challenge he was faced with, and to be charged with watching the borders of the home was no small task. Azzuen found that if he trained his body during the long flights over the lands, the time passed faster, and it wasn’t every day that he was required to intercept strangers, more often he saw newcomers being escorted to the lands. He tried to welcome each one, but he knew there were some he probably wouldn’t meet until a herd gathering, or elsewhere. Andash recognised the responsibility of the request Azzuen made, and this allowed the respect the General had for the steed become more definitive, he nodded a small, subtle nod of approval for the steed’s response, his smile warm, his eyes kind.

“I am both grateful and fortunate you chose the Throat as your home. Should you ever wish to adjust your rank to Soldier, you need only ask – there is a strength within you, Andash, I would be glad to make use of it.” He was open about his want of strength in the ranks, and while he also wanted to get to know the steed on a more personal level, he was also on duty at the moment, which meant his mind was mostly on ensuring the security of his herd was absolute.

Gaze drifted to his mate as she commented, another small nod tilting his crown as he thought it a grand idea for her to show the stallion around. No doubt their daughter would be glad to tag along too. Her sky-blue form was easily spotted if Azzuen’s patrol flights were higher than she, too often he had intercepted her trying to sneak out of the Throat – and a couple of times he knew she had managed to get away, as he would catch her on her return. But she was always full of stories of her adventures and he knew it was hopeless to try and keep a leash on her, besides; he had never obeyed authority when he was that age. As parents, they were Cirrus’ protectors, but sometimes protection was best offered from a distance, to allow and encourage personal growth and self-defence within the belle.

“As always, beloved.” Warm, deep tones uttered to the keeper of his heart, he watched her fondly take leave of their company. He was a lucky brute, he knew this, he wasn’t about to grow complacent and simply live off this herd – no, he always felt like he had to work for what he was given, protecting this herdland meant he could protect his family, he would continue to do so until his dying day. The cool blue of his eyes settled for something slightly darker, deeper, like the depths of the ocean as opposed to the open skies above them. He turned his attention upon the pale steed once more.

“Is there anything else you would like to know, Andash? I’d like to know more about you, if you feel like sharing.” He kept the conversation rolling with ease, though soon he would excuse himself and take to the skies once more, to resume guardianship over the realm. But he was also glad to be given an excuse to rest his wings, and speak of this newcomer, or of the herd, or even of himself, if Andash longed to know.