It would be the chieftains hut, or the more Nevermeran modernized version of it, that Rian would be found in. Magda had adjusted to Coheed life, in a way, but it didn’t mean she also didn’t get some say in the way that the luxuries of Nevermere got to benefit her there as well. It also meant Rian got some of them as well, so there was minor bickering from the Chieftain before he let her have her way.

It would be outside his home, however, she come across him, finishing up a meeting with one of the men warriors who had started planning the next first blood. His blue eyes would cut to her as she approached and would dismiss the Coheedsman as he turned to face her completely. “Catrin,” he said her name as both a test to see how it felt on his tongue and in greeting. He waved a hand towards his home. “Inside?” Raising a brow to see what sort of conversation this was about to be. Already proving to be a bit different from the Chieftains before him.

She paused when she came upon the Chieftain, studying the two men standing together. She barely afforded the male soldier another glance as he stepped away, her dark eyes quickly flicking to him then back to the Chieftain. She bowed her head slightly as Rian acknowledged her, a small sign of respect. She assessed him quietly for a moment longer before stepping inside the hut.

Once inside, she would glance around, her brow furrowing at any obvious Nevermeran changes to it before finally turning her attention to Rian. "I came to speak with you about the Parabolti. I would like to know what you expect from us and... any different opinions you may hold from Kaalim." Her gaze would be steady on the Chieftain, different from the meek women who still filled their kingdom.

Rian didn’t fault her for the way she looked around the home and saw all the parts that were so unlike their ways. The touches of Nevermere that clearly were not by his doing. But he was amused, because he swore he could see disgust on her face before she decided to face him, Rian taking up a spot next to the large chair that held the chieftain.

What he did like about this one, was she didn’t shy away. Not as she looked him in the eye or by the way her voice remained steady as she addressed him. He raised a brow, blue eyes unwavering. “And how is it that Kaalim viewed the Parabolti… from your perspective.” He knew Kaalim’s overview of them, but was it portrayed how he had envisioned?

Her eyes jumped all over his face, studying and learning. Searching for anything that indicated he was leading her on or speaking to her as a lesser. "Kaalim is the one who gave us the chance to be more than breeding mares for our kingdom," she stated simply, though with an undertone of reverence.

"He saw that we could be equals to the men here, that we would fight for our kingdom just as fiercely if given the chance," she added, still searching for any unspoken thoughts.

Just as she studied him, he was studying her. His eyes roamed her from head to toe, not with a lustful stare that said he had no other intentions than to drag her into his bed but rather as if he was truly calculating her as an ‘equal’ as she said. He let her speak before he opened his mouth to respond after a touch of silence.

“No… and yes.” It was the truth. She wouldn’t like it, but he was going to give it to her. “You can’t simply rewrite hundreds of thousands of years of traditions and ways of life in just a few short ones. It’s not that simple. I do believe the Parabolti to be useful and not breeding stock until they choose to be. But equals? You haven’t seen real war to really call yourself equals to the battle worn men of Coheed. They will never have that ounce of respect until you get a taste of battle as they have. It’s not meant to be cruel but simply a fact.”

Those blue eyes remained on her face. “One day, maybe yes. Equals, as the old habits die off with each generation and the teachings lean more in favor of the Parabolti. Absolutely. But you are at the beginning. You, and the rest of your women, have to show them you are their equal. Not just tell them and hope a chieftains word is enough to sway them. Even if they hold their tongues and disagreements to my face.”

Catrin's jaw immediately clenched as the word 'no' came out of her Chieftain's mouth, though she remained quiet as he explained himself. His words allowed some of the tension in her jaw to loosen as she forced herself to take a breath. "Of course, I know all of that. But you do not plan to disband the Parabolti. You believe we could go to war alongside the men and be just as competent."

They were not questions, but statements, as he had already confirmed that. "I know at this moment we would not be equal. The men were practically born with weapons in their hands, and we have only just begun, as you said." She paused, contemplating her words. "Willa Wren has been a boon to the Parabolti. She is quite skilled and very patient with the women. But I wonder if we should start integrating into the men's training. As you said, we have to show them our worth and continuing to train separately does not help us in that regard."

He wasn’t surprised by the request, but he wondered if she truly had weighed all that there was to be thought of with it. A brow arched, “Are you ready for what the men will throw at you?” He asked her, his voice even. “I will be there the first day… maybe the second. But when I am no longer around… are you prepared for the men to give you and your women their all? Will they be ready to fight dirty if needed to show they are worthy of their time?”

It wasn’t said to mock or belittle her. Not at all, he just wanted to make sure she wasn’t expecting to walk into welcome embraces and men who just rolled over to try and help them catch up to speed.

Catrin's expression did not change as Rian droned on about the behavior of the men. She waited a beat after he finished to speak. "I have lived my entire life as a woman of Coheed, Chieftain. And women of Coheed have always suffered at the hands of the men here." Her eyes flickered, recalling the many beatings she had received when she was unable to conceive a child for her husband.

She tipped her chin up, fighting against the innate urge to shy away and cower from the words she must speak, "You do not warn me against anything I have not already endured. But, no, I do not think all of the women are prepared for it. But I am. The others can join when they feel ready, and when I believe them to actually be ready." She fell silent, waiting for his response.

Rian, as he already had, let her respond back to him. He watched her steel herself against his words and yet she didn't shy away. Even if the tension in her jaw was visible as she spoke, she held his gaze and told him she was ready. Catrin was ready to face all of them if it meant she was given the chance to fight amongst the men and prove herself.

"Then I suppose you should make sure you have a good meal and rest tonight." He waited uncomfortable long to answer her. But as he stood and moved towards her, a small curling motion happened on his lips. "How many other women do you think are ready to train as well? Or will it only be you that I bring to them?"

She held her ground, and his gaze, as he approached her. The tension slowly changed from defiance to grim determination and she shook her head slightly. "There are a couple I may ask, but it will probably be only myself for now."

She knew what she was doing, turning herself into an example. She knew she would come away bruised and bloody, but she hoped that by coming away still standing, she would show them all that the women could fight among the men. She knew there was a chance it would scare some of them away, to see her in such a state, but perhaps it would bolster even more of them.

Unable to stop himself, his eyes traveled from her face down her frame. She seemed strong, like she had truly poured herself into her training. And she was beautiful, that was not something that passed his mind without him lingering on it.

“And your husband? Should I expect him beating down my door about granting you this? Or is he in support?” He was standing close in front of her, bright gaze flickering over her face as he ask.

Noticing his attention slipping from her face, she straightened her shoulders even more, unsure of how to react. If this had been any other man, she knew she would have bristled at the unwanted attention. But this was her Chieftain, and he had given her the same respect and attention as he would have given any of his other warriors. She found that it didn't quite bother her as much coming from him.

But his question had her lip curling up in a snarl, her dark eyes flashing with contempt. "My husband has not so much as acknowledged my existence in a long time. The only thing you should expect is for him to find joy in watching the other men beat me, and to perhaps take the opportunity to do so himself."

He listened to her sharp tongue at the mention of her husband. While Rian has been rough, while he grew up having to outsmart more than be physically above the others, he had never been physically abusive to his wives. Not in the way he knew others to be. But perhaps, that's why he had a bit of hope in the women of Coheed. If he could make it, not being superior in any way to anyone else around him, and somehow he had not only survived, not only passed first blood, but had been second in command and now held Chieftain as his title.

"Then I shall join you tomorrow," he dragged his eyes back up to hers. She was only slightly smaller than himself height wise, and he held her gaze for a long moment. "I find it very hard to believe your husband hasn't acknowledged you." He says it almost like a compliment, but it was also for her to tell him why... if she'd even find it in her to do so.