Ember glow from the rays of the sun peaked in through the makeshift den he used for the night. Though he hadn't been in these lands for too long, perhaps a week or two, he couldn't really remember time- much less some of the faces he'd known back home. Albeit, this place held a certain heavenly wonder to it. As the last ounce of darkness slowly began to be snuffed out by the great light itself, he couldn't help but shake a certain feeling about things.

Whether he was in an afterlife, a new life entirely; he did know one thing for certain: he had escaped that hellish place, the tyrannical leader he once took orders from. His heart leapt at the thought as he chuckled to himself. He prayed that he'd never have to see him and his ugly mug again. The amount of lives that were taken just for power... For 'progress' as his dear leader so 'kindly' put it... It was a shame to say the least. A lot of lives being innocent, that didn't do anything to him. But his hunger and cravings for power and domination became too great, and Magen wasn't going to sit idly by and watch things spiral out of control like before... He couldn't... Not again...

His ears flicked to the sudden sound of movement within the brush. The leaves rustling caused him to be on alert; his tired and focused expression never wavering as his ears perked up to full attention. As far as the brute knew he was alone; but again just when he thought he had some answers, some time to himself and reminensce about 'old times', life threw another surprise at him. His keen gaze watched the brush with interest.

"I heard you moving around... Show yourself."

His tone controlled, calm, hackles never raising as if he had the whole situation under control. Did he? Magen wasn't so sure but he wasn't about to let the stranger that waltzed in on, somewhat unannounced, know that. Regardless, what did he have to lose anyways? He was alone, tired, and like everyone else here, he assumed, trying to find a new purpose in this life for himself.

In an effort to know the world around him and the other territories that lingered in Eastrenhold’s backyard, Raelan had taken it upon himself to scout ahead and around. He had done something similar when he and Vidalia had stayed in the North, and if one were to ask him about his progress, he was certain he could remember nearly every path and trail in that winter landscape.

Now, he aimed to do the same here. To create a mental picture of what lingered on either side of the castle walls—of whom might live by their flanks and of what defenses he might need to construct to ensure that the palace and those they led were kept safe.

Today, he had traveled toward the west until his paws had graced the firm earth of a golden-touched glade. Beautiful as it was, and plentiful in life—he had scented the trails of deer and elk alike—he made a mental note that perhaps this was where he and the other knights (when they recruited more knights) could hunt for food should they need to.

However, as his attention remained fixed on the scents of prey that lingered on the wind, Raelan had not paid attention to the scent of another who remained far closer. Perhaps it had been too long since the man was in service…

But as a stranger’s voice peppered the quiet air, Raelan blinked and turned; a pale gaze fixed toward where another stood. Shit.

My apologies, He uttered as he turned on his heels and made his way through what shadowed brush stood between them. I did not mean to startle you. His words were quiet and controlled, amicable by nature, but restrained as he had often learned to do in a place of court.

I was only curious of the elk I scented on the wind, Raelan explained as he halted a measurable distance between the other, just far enough to remain a respectable distance but close enough to at least speak to one another without shouting. Do you live here?

An apology was uttered by the other as Magen's ears shifted to the disturbance. There before him stood another male, his coat like that of the night sky he'd seen more times than he could count on his adventures. He seemed to have seen nature a lot more this time than before. He wasn't really sure how to make such thoughts as his gaze locked onto the other male's. His crown tilted to the side slightly. He had scented elk? Magen must have been off his game because, surely, he would have been able to sense the prey on the wind. But, then again, a lot seemed to run through the brute's mind. He was also in a new place, a lot to see and explore that the thought could have easily escaped him to be mindful of other animals that would be a good source of sustenance.

Magen shook his head in response to the male, "No apology needed, Sir. As for your question no, I do not live here. Just a traveler passing through." Magen explained, twitching his ear. He tried to be as vague as possible. Though he had spoke with a couple of souls around these parts, he'd only opened up a bit. He liked to keep things simple until he'd come to know someone else thoroughly and they'd gained his trust. One could never be too sure of manipulation, or someone could use anything he gave them about himself to their advantage. His tired gaze was enough for others to know that. Despite the gentleness within them, Magen wasn't going to let his guard down. As a soldier, he knew all too well about that. Many of times he'd been stabbed in the back by letting someone get too close, and that was more so a fault of himself than anyone else.

"Need assistance finding your elk?" Though Magen was no real hunter, two souls were always better than one when it came to hunting large game. Plus, it was not like Magen had anything on his to-do list. However, he had only just met the male standing in front of him; the last thing he also needed was an issue. He was still new, and though the locals have been rather respectful and hospitable, there was always something that could go wrong in situations like this that could turn a friendly conversation into a bloodbath. Magen had seen enough blood for a lifetime, that was for certain.