[Zohyd//]

Two-beat gait carried his large frame easily over the rocky terrain. Daggers plucking their path with precision as his sense of direction honed in on the area he was traveling to. You see, Rhydian was smart- at least smart enough to know that it'd suit him well to call someplace home. Where and under whom was still up for debate. The lands of Wild Equines was deep into war and Rhydian heard all the rumors floating through the freelands; the ones he paid particular attention to were the minor victories and losses. The most recent whispers had been enough to catch his attention and bring him here. A Helkaer member by the name of Nemesis had won a battle against some Versai beast. Both of these groups were still in a wheelhouse that Rhydian did not understand himself. What they stood for? Who they served? Their beliefs and rankings? Just as foreign to him as the rest of these lands. He liked the idea of following someone willing to fight and skilled enough to do so though. Granted, he would not follow blindly or pledge his loyalty so willingly without earning trust. Something he fully expected from Nemesis themselves. And while they might already be proved and ranked in some elite group of Wild Equines- it meant nothing to him and his trust. But, someone putting wins on the board for the side they stood on was certainly worth checking out. Rhydian had zero interest in herding cats and being in the limelight. He didn't seek praise or attention but did want a place to call home and one he could eventually serve loyally. He would scratch their back if they scratched his. The only dealings the beast seemed to settle for anymore.

Thick stench tickled his nares that warned the patterned beast that the lands before him had an active and owning leader. This caused his twenty point two hand frame to halt just at the border, the heathen refusing to step over the lines that he believed to be Toxin Raj, homeland to Nemesis. It wasn't hard to figure out the general direction and information from the chatty Cathys in the free lands. Too many had loose lips and were willing to share all sorts of information- he had merely only asked for the location and direction of the Helkaer member. And here he stood, daggers planted firmly on the side of not trespassing as he had a way he wished this meeting to go and starting off on the wrong foot by intruding seemed counter intuitive. So his minimal tobiano, leopard pelt frame was motionless on the edge. Taupe gaze swallowed the emerald blades that still held their color despite Winter coming to an end and no sun rays penetrated to warm the Earth. Mountains reached for the sky as they added a beauty to the land's backdrop. The lands seemed welcoming and plentiful. It would be easy for so many to try and waltz in and make themselves comfortable; something Rhydian could only assume was a deadly mistake.

Velvety, grey maw rose in the chilling wind as she called out. Deep baritones seeming to echo in the bowl-shaped lands in hopes to reach it's target. I am Rhydian and I seek the one called Nemesis. Bass tones matched his large, masculine frame. Wind tugged at his ebon locks, almost pulling him away from the lands and away from the encounter. Was this a warning from Mother Earth? If it was, Rhydian paid no mind. He was set on this meeting regardless of the encounter. His interest piqued as he waited patiently for the one named Nemesis.



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ooc- wanted to get a quick starter for Rhydian and Nemesis!

[➳ T e c h n o ➳]

Word traveled relatively quickly across Wild Equines. Nemesis had been surprised when she'd caught rumors about herself and her win against one of the Versai. It was a triumphant surprise at least. The dark bay had been wandering her lands in tandem with the guards who noe heavily patrolled her borders. Ever since her mother's murder, things had fallen under her tight and violent scrutiny. Her belly now was swollen with a foal from the obsidian and ivory stallion she'd met out in the free lands.

It wouldn't be long before word got out about that too. It might give them something else to fear. Nemesis belonged to a family of many cambion and fiends in the Underworld. This was only for increasing their numbers. She paused her pacing along her borders when a voice called out to someone passing by. Nemesis stalked closer through a small copse of trees and caught the stag's name and that he was looking for her. He'd been wise enough not to cross her borders.

The guard stared at the stag a moment before disappearing toward the depths of Toxin Raj, no doubt in search of her. Nemesis waited a few more moments before she approached the edge of her home. The stallion was a good few hands taller than her. He was not threatening but he also didn't appear weak.

She's never seen nor heard of him prior to this, and so her curiosity was piqued a moment. "Be careful what you wish for." Nemesis called out in semi-feral tones. Her violet gaze locked on the mahogany dome of the stallion who called himself Rhydian. She came to a halt a few feet away within her borders. Her limbs were still well muscled despite the obvious pregnancy.

Nemesis inhaled his scent slowly, as if she were savoring it. She was instead trying to determine if he smelled similarly to that musk of the equine who'd killed her mother. He didn't. "Why are you looking for me?" The Helkaer asked. As always, she was borderline volatile but it was tampered. Rhydian had been respectful enough not to stupidly bumble into her domain.

Not that it had ever stopped her from attempting to maim someone before. At the very least the encounter was interesting enough to hold her attention without it turning violent for now. The guard who had disappeared returned and then stopped. Nemesis allowed her gaze to fall on him and she silently dismissed him. She was capable of protecting Toxin Raj on her own.

Pregnant or not, she was still dangerous.

Zohyd//

[Zohyd//]

Taupe gaze watched a single figure spot him before disappearing beyond his eye sight. From another direction one approached him. Dark, mahogany pelt with a strong, feminine scent. He noted the swollen barrel that lead him to believe she was with foal. Her approach held confidence and demanded attention and respect. He knew it had to be the one he sought, Nemesis. The beast did not have to wait long; an outcome he expected. Be careful what you wish for. The approaching creature's vocal rumbled as her lavender gaze honed in on him like a furious predator. Rhydian did not so much as flinch as he waited for the chiseled wench to closet he space between them.

Smaller frame halted before him before the brash words fell from her velvet kissers, Why are you looking for me? Direct. Something Rhydian appreciated when it came to this small-talk business. Before he could speak the figure that had seen him and disappeared before had now reappeared. The gaze between lead and guard met before he left once more- a silent release of his duties for this encounter. Was she that confident with herself while in-foal or did she simply not view him as a threat? The question moot. A spot in your herd. Finally his deep baritones broke the silence between the two when her gaze returned to him.

I'm new to Wild Equines and I've seem to come at an... interesting time with this war. I am looking for one worthy of serving in exchange for a home. My allegiance is not given easily- but should it be given then I will not waver. Rhydian commented openly once more. He hoped Nemesis would approve of the truth and he hoped she would not allow blind followers into her herd so openly. Had he come begging on his knees willing to fall on the sword of her enemy without conversing first- then questions should certainly be asked. I understand I am coming to you and have less to offer and am an unknown name in these lands. So I guess I should start off with, are you considering new members at this time? Should this war not be ending soon, you will be needing more guards given your body will physically fail the warrior within whilst it prepares for motherhood. A bold comment but logical. She might be a bit swollen now, but late term she would be vulnerable whether she wished to admit it or not. He was not looking for make a name for himself in these lands either. He had no qualms being the hound for Nemesis and her getting the glory. Flying under the radar could be just as effective as making others tremble with one's name and presence.

I can spar a guard should I need to prove myself- or we can go until death if that suits your fancy more. Those rich, base tones were nonchalant in the matter. It would be counter productive to kill a guard to prove his worth but he'd not bat an eyelash should she wish to do so. Would weed out the weak-linked guards, sometimes numbers was not everything.



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ooc- still getting used to him

[➳ T e c h n o ➳]

Nemesis

---

Nemesis could see the way he assessed her, and the current state of her bodice. She had half a mind to tear out his throat right there just for looking at her and casting any sort of judgement. Yet the feral creature remained silent until the spotted slate and ochre beast gave her the reason he had come. He wanted a place in her herd. Nemesis almost barked a sarcastic snarl to him, as if she were about to blindly trust him without any weight behind his words. Yet she remained silent, and stared at him as though he were about to become her next prey. Her violet eyes met his amber pools as she assessed him. With the ongoing war, trusting a stranger to freely roam her borders was unwise.

Her eyes narrowed as he spoke more. He explained that his loyalty would have to be earned, but once that was accomplished that it would be unwavering. Rhydian explained he did not have much to offer currently. His name held no weight, and yet he was offering to partake in blood sport to appease her. It was a curious proposal. She cocked her head to the side as she watched him study the guard who disappeared. Nemesis wondered what exactly was going on in that head of his. This was the first time the fresh commander had ever encountered a situation such as this. With the loss of Sly, she had become even more feral. Nemesis remained quiet for a few moments and then she slowly drew a breath.

"Toxin Raj is accepting new members who are able to pledge their loyalty to the Helkaer. As you've said, that has to be earned and yet you request membership with me. You offer to even partake in blood sport to prove yourself to me. Peculiar." The bay witch murmured, but her words were no longer on the border of a snarl. That could change in a second. What little she had gleened of her reputation since  becoming a Helkaer was that she was seen as volatile. "More bodies are always advantageous, but with the ongoing war I am not exactly eager to let just anyone into my borders. As you so astutely noticed, especially while preganant." Nemesis agreed, but  the edge and looming sense of danger never left her.

Her bodice was ready to strike at a moment's notice. "I'm not really concerned with the fact that you are unknown, in fact that is probably a boon at this time. So I will ask you to prove that you can give your loyalty to me. I will agree to an exchange of proof. You prove to me you are worthy, and I will do the same. Bring me a light equine. The more prominent and connected to their Royals the better. You will be under my protection while you carry out this task. Once complete you will be a fully fledged member of Toxin Raj." Nemesis proprosed the requirements to him, but she was not finished. She merely wanted to give him time to process her proposal.

"What do you expect of me  to posess your loyalty?" The direct question came next. Usually she was not so interested in give and take, but Rhydian had scratched an itch she didn't know she had.



Zohyd//  <3 I love Rhydian!

[Zohyd//]

Nemesis heard him out with patience. Only when he spoke of spilling blood to prove his worth did this seem to pique the interest of the leader. It was a small tale. Enough to give Rhydian an idea of how her personality might unfold or how she did business. Neither of which caused the behemoth to shy from her presence and his offer. Silence fell between them as she seemed to consider his offer and his words. Mulling them over and perhaps creating room for him to offer more- yet he did not. Rhydian had spoken his two cents, the ball now completely in her court should she be of interest. Finally a shift in the mahogany's swollen barrel as her lung filled with a deep breath. Toxin Raj is accepting new members who are able to pledge their loyalty to the Helkaer. As you've said, that has to be earned and yet you request membership with me. You offer to even partake in blood sport to prove yourself to me. Peculiar. Her words broke the silence but did not offer the spotted, roan beast anything to respond to. She was not finished- but at least she seemed a little less hostile overall. Did that mean she was seriously considering the offer he put forth? More bodies are always advantageous, but with the ongoing war I am not exactly eager to let just anyone into my borders. As you so astutely noticed, especially while pregnant. It was a factual statement the beast had voiced. He had no doubt she could protect herself now, hell, her recent win in battle more than proved that. But there would be a time her body would fail what he could only assume was a stubborn, hard-headed mind. She would need to have those she truly trusted in her corner once enemies caught wind of a potential weakness.

I'm not really concerned with the fact that you are unknown, in fact that is probably a boon at this time. So I will ask you to prove that you can give your loyalty to me. I will agree to an exchange of proof. You prove to me you are worthy, and I will do the same. Bring me a light equine. The more prominent and connected to their Royals the better. You will be under my protection while you carry out this task. Once complete you will be a fully fledged member of Toxin Raj. A Light equine close to their royals. All information that was foreign to him like that rest of these lands- but nothing something he was incapable of completing. Connected to a Royal or do you seek a royal themselves? It was possible she might not wish to seek one of the monarchs and wanted someone a little more personal to them. Sometimes a close friend, mate or relative was more effective than a ruling partner.

What do you expect of me to posses your loyalty? A fair question given she needed to earn his as well. He would not be a whipping boy for free. But there really was not much he could ask of her now- but should he achieve and join the herd then that would change. I will give you two options. I either seek the name and location of an individual I can speak to that will give me information to get me caught up to speed with the current affairs around here, He paused a second before adding, Unbiased information. Something important for a neutral party to try and figure out the inner workings. Or, you bring me along and involve me in the next mission you seek to carry out. Both options vastly different. The latter would mean he would need to take her on her word- but should she fail him he could already pinpoint a potential enemy and use any information he gathered to seek revenge should she choose to cross him. Taking him on a mission would prove she trusted him and get him the ability to see how she worked and gauge how they would work together to accomplish an end goal. He would be able to soak up any information and store it away should it be of use in the future.


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ooc- ifffff she chooses the mission one, I'd want it to be something he could be involved and prove himself and his worth. Kind of like a dead certain to succeed mission.