She had heard of the strange paint stallion named Moon Boy through the twisted grapevine that was Helovia's intricately messy network of informants. Apparently he had a knack for getting himself in trouble and a tendency to be a bit, well... off. That was what she'd heard, anyway, who knew if it was true. Kye had seemed skeptical when the idea of perhaps procuring the stallion for her own uses arose, but Xira had learned long ago to assume all thoughts the falcon had were fueled by cynicism and general grumpiness. So with a surprising burst of optimism, yet still an overhanging cloud of malicious intent, Xira had stolen the stallion from the wilderness around the throat with a clever tongue and an exploitation of the laws of the land.

And now he was hers. Her lips curled and from betwixt them emerged a light, pleased whinny at the thought. She controlled an entire life- could probably send the boy off the cliff, if what she'd been told was true. He was one of those crazy spiritual types- maybe if she told him a god was down there he'd actually go for the plunge.

But it was too early in the dark morning to be so sarcastic and witty- it simply hurt to gather all of her intelligence and place it in that sector of her mind. No, she was to apply some of her focus to strategy; after all, she had more than one reason for capturing Moon Boy above all others.

Because if she could get the stallion to secretly join the Throat... well, with all that travelling he supposedly did, he'd be an indisputably useful asset. And so, with Kye perched upon her withers, picking bits of dust from her mane, Xira waited with the moon low and dim as time ticked on and brought them to hours as unholy as two or three in the morning. With her growing impatience came a fiery temper, and with that came a massive wave of regret. Perhaps this had been a foolish idea after all- perhaps the stallion had already managed to somehow escape.

No, impossible. She'd watched him closely enough, kept Kye circling his path, and it was impossible that he could have slipped away unnoticed. No, the pair would simply lay in wait for the prisoner to arrive- the Dragon Throat's two dutiful night watchmen.

Her renowned penchant for making trouble where there was none was the perfect cover. Why would anyone want to steal the gypsy that wandered towards her now if it weren't simply to cause a stir? After all, he was a wanderer, and he'd spread his name throughout the land quickly. Certainly the tale of his theft would be made known in just as short an amount of time. And then, to hear of his release? What utter confusion it would cause- what drama!

Xira simply loved causing drama.

She regarded his features; his face half in shadow, yet half bathed in the light, as he drew nearer to her. Upon her back Kye twitched and cawed, muttering words of approval into her bonded's mind reluctantly. The Chestnut roan lifted her head high and looked down upon Moonboy with dark blue eyes that couldn't help but judge. He was taller than her, as most were, but she was afforded an advantage by the convenient slope of the land where she stood, and the imposition added to her figure by her widespread wings and dark look were all added benefits. "Moon Boy," she said simply, addressing her captive with a serious tone but a smug smile that, despite the gravity of the situation, she simply could not wipe away. "You understood the terms of our agreement, your summons should have come as no surprise." Xira spoke pointedly, hoping to wipe that look of dissatisfaction off of his features. He looked as if he had been cheated or lied to- no, it was much simpler than that; everyone else had been cheated and lied to.

The Chestnut roan flicked her tail and took a few careful steps forward and around the stallion, keeping her circle tight and making her breath grace his hide. "As agreed upon, you are now a member of the Dragon's Throat informants," she spoke cooly, pausing where she stood directly behind him and looking on into the night. "You will report to me, and tell no one outside of the Throat of your involvement with the herd. In exchange for your knowledge and valuable services, you will be provided shelter within our ranks and territory whenever you desire it," She outlined clearly in review, walking forward and returning to her initial position. Her lids flickered shut as she blinked in a slow, thinking manner, and then she turned her gaze sharply back to match his.

"I understand no wild things are capable of being truly tamed," she sympathized wistfully as she recalled her life of freedom. "Your membership to the Throat is in name only, to prove your loyalty to us and ensure that you won't tell others outside the herd of the knowledge you've obtained," she clarified, her gaze softening slightly as she spoke of matters that perhaps only the two of them could understand at that moment. Upon her back Kye whistled and muttered pointless thoughts into her bonded's mind. What did the falcon know of freedom? All her life she'd lived by Xira- to live alone and yet as one with so many... that was true freedom.

Xira shuffled her wings closed and Kye promptly flapped her way to rest upon them. "There should be nothing further to discuss; as far as I am concerned, as a member of this herd you are now released." She spoke with confidence in her tone and a slight inflection of authority. She was giving the orders here; should he wish to defy them and deny her offer for him to join the herd, or rebel against his new role as an undercover informant, he would simply be denied everything agreed upon prior.