Exploring the New Territory

Returning to Amshu, Gravy had decided to rest under the great tree at the heart of the kingdom's territory. He came in at a canter, wings flapping and stirring up the grass beneath his hooves. He slowed as he neared the tree, wings outstretched as he wasn't sure how to properly fold them yet. The shade felt nice after the trip to the barren graveyard, and his legs were well worn from the long walk.

Gravy laid down next to the trunk, curling his head in close to his body. He was soon fast asleep, but it was only a light sleep. His ears flicked up at the sound of another, soft, padded pawsteps that he recognized as belonging to a feline.

"Serenity?" Gravy mumbled sleepily.

He blinked the sleep out of his eyes, and was shocked to see a stranger so far beyond the borders. He was even scratching claw marks into the tree like he owned the thing!

Cursing his ineptitude, the zebra scrambled to his hooves in an instant, taking up a dominant posture as quick as he could.

"Who are you?" he demanded of the panther. "What are you doing here?"

Gravy's ears folded back at the black jaguar's response, one of his hooves digging into the ground and throwing up a puff of dust. The pose the panther took was way too confident. Regardless, he waited to hear the stranger's explanation.

Gravy snorted, his disbelief clear. "And I'm supposed to take your word for that?" he said.

Sure, the panther knew the names of the kingdom and its queen, but knowing such things didn't mean a thing. For all he knew, their kingdoms were enemies, or this panther was some sort of spy or who knows what. No, Gravy needed to hear it from someone he knew.

"Don't move," he ordered Korivan, his own tone oddly confident and firm. Perhaps the panther's smaller size and relaxed posture was helping to keep him calm, too.

Gravy lifted his head, braying out a cry in hopes that Serenity would hear it and come, or anyone from Amshu who could confirm or deny the panther's claim.

The woman had been sleeping when she heard the call from Gravy. It sounded important and instantly she wondered if there was an intruder. Without hesitating, the woman bounded forward, making it in record time to find Gravy and Korivan. With a sigh, the woman would come to a halt, instantly slowing her rushed pace before nodding to both of them. "Hello again Gravy. Thank you for calling for me. But I would like for you to meet my mate and leader of our joined Kingdom, Korivan. A meeting hasn't been called yet, but the lands of Amshu and Levidor are now merged, so members of both kingdoms may come and go from both territories." She would walk over to aim a nuzzle towards Korivan's shoulder before turning to look at both of them. "I do hope you two don't have any ill thoughts towards each other." She wanted her kingdom to accept Korivan and hoped Gravy would be the first.