Recently, he had felt... strange. 

There was a sense of disconnect between body, heart, and ideal of self. The stallion was not sure where this sensation had come from or when it would leave him, but all he knew was that he could not wait to feel himself again. Even if the scarlet stained brute's understanding of normal was a constant drone of self loathing and bitterness that filled his days and his breath - he supposed that normal was just what one was used to, and Camdis Lohir was entirely used to the blackened feeling of self hatred along his spine. 

It should have been a comfort, this feeling of not-quite-apathy, not-quite-emptiness that surrounded the man like a veil. He wondered distantly if others had noticed, though he doubted it, he hadn't in contact with many that knew him well enough to make such an observation. Indeed, Camdis assumed that Kaladin or Pretty Bexley were the only two creatures that had marked his mannerisms enough to notice a change in the grouchy stag. A shrug rolled over his well muscled shoulders as he trudged toward the Vitreus, that fated meeting place of Rostislav and his first encounter with his own reflection; it would be well enough in time, Camdis could learn to live with a general sense of other as long as it didn't remove him from the place that he was beginning to carve out for himself in Denocte. 

Hopefully he could begin to carve out a home for himself in his sovereign's heart as well. 

A grim smile tugged at the stallion's mouth at the thought of Reichenbach, that bruised skin and those glimmering grins paired with an intense gaze and an air of intimacy that practically made Camdis' skin crawl with craving. It was not that the caretaker lusted after his monarch - though there had been a moment between their last meeting and his current state that the stallion had allowed a rather uncouth amount of heat into his thoughts with the youthful king - no, the draw to the Emperor of Stars was set deeper than that. There was something more than attraction that burned within Camdis Lohir's gut and while he could not place it, he welcomed it. 

It was suspiciously similar to joy, dangerously close to an inferno, worriedly akin to everything and nothing all at once. 

Yet, as the regal silhouette of his sovereign came into view, all sharp corners and curved edges, Camdis' smile slipped from his lips. It was as if every time he saw the gypsy lad, each time he laid eyes upon that silken skin -

He wondered what it would be to touch that skin, to feel the heat that undoubtedly rolled from the boy king's frame, to press against the musculature of his side in something closer, louder, bigger, than camaraderie -

he was in awe. Truly, though, it was not shocking that Reichenbach inspired such a reaction from anyone, least of all Camdis, for it was no secret that the monarch was of things more beautiful than the common man. He was of star stuff and moon dust, a lullaby and a war drum, searing heat and frigid embrace, a crowned Child of Denocte in every possible way. Drawing nearer and slowing to a stop before his king, standing square with chin held high, Camdis grinned and gave a nod to his emperor, rumbling voice breaking the relative silence that had descended as the moon rose, "Greetings, my friend." He flicked his heavy tail, the locks landing upon the grassy earth with a muffled thump, "The boy that fetched me - one of your wards - he is smart and swift, I would like to have him assigned to me as my page, if it pleases you. I believe it would do me well to have someone to fetch my herbs and tinctures."

What the stallion would not say, though, what was blaring within his skull, was that Camdis would like to offer the softer side of his nurturing urges to someone that deserved it, not some sniveling lordling who couldn't be bothered to learn something from a lowly healer. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The low rumble of Reichenbach's reply sent shivers over the bay's skin and his eyelids drooped ever so slightly in an unconscious response to pleasure. The response that his monarch gave him only served to lighten the horned stallion's mood; he would have to track down the gangly boy, but then he was sure that his offer of a warm bed, a good education, and a full belly would be sufficient. Already, he was planning out the floor plan of his modest chambers, wondering if he could arrange for some of the serving staff to help him track down a folding screen or two so that he could give the lad some privacy. Indeed, he would give the boy his feather mattress and cushions until the pair could go to the bazaar - Camdis estimated he had enough coins left over from his own kingdom that he could furnish his page well enough. 

Maybe I should invest in some plants as well, maybe young master Raglan has a knack for botany.

Lost as he was in his thoughts, the long haired brute didn't notice the nearly silent arrival of the serpent-man Lothaire until the steed was practically upon them, the smooth baritone of Reichenbach's greeting pushing Cam back into the present. Stuffing away his thoughts of attempted mentoring and his craving for a paternal relationship, Camdis turned his silvery gaze toward the winged man and gave a crisp nod in greeting. While he didn't know much of the scaled male, his presence was a cool and steady one; rather comforting for the scarlet stained stallion, what with his own near-constant state of emotional turmoil. With another nod, more to himself than either of the gentlemen that stood before him, Camdis silently agreed that he rather liked the odd mannered and reptilian Lothaire, hopefully he could pick the other man's brain at some point and see if he had any knowledge of the healing arts. 

Attention seized once more by the words of his monarch, Camdis listened intently to the sable skinned stallion that had so readily offered his friendship, a small grin curling his lips as he looked upon his handsome king. Yet another nod - he had read of the monarch Rhen and his rather... interesting term in office then subsequent disappearance. Not that he could judge the poor fellow, after all, Camdis had been the Exile King, running away and tossing his birthright to the wayside because of his own weaknesses. Distantly, he sent a short prayer to Caligo, requesting she protect her lost king. 

Then, as the next words fell from Reichenbach's lips, the grin that had graced the stallion's lips fell away in an avalanche of shock. Brows raising and eyes widening, Camdis felt a flash of fear - thrones are deadly, thrones are vengeful, it will kill me it will kill me it will kill me - before he forced it away, reasoning that he would hold no true throne, and that it was the very least that he could do to serve his monarch and servie him well. He had the schooling and experience for it, however short, and Reichenbach may be the clever impish sort, but matters of state could be complicated; however he could advise and assist Caligo's beloved in governing her realm, he would. 

Blinking away his surprise and settling a mask of careful consideration upon his rouged face, Camdis Lohir glanced at Lothaire, an odd sort of pride filling his chest as he realized that both he and the scaled male would serve the realm well. Turning his gaze back toward Reichenbach, the horned beast felt a grin split his lips as he gave a nod, "I would be overjoyed to assist in governing Denocte." There was a pause where Raglan leaped to the forefront of his mind once more, "May I request chambers with conjoining rooms? With the influx of messages and communications, I'd like to keep Raglan close."


He'd see to it that the boy would rise at his side.