"We call them thestrals," Richard replied with a smile. "They, Abraxi, Pegasi, unicorns, and the zebra and horse all share common ancestors. They just evolved for different environments with different abilities. Tenebrus, my old friend," he briefly put an affectionate hand on the neck of the stallion, who had walked up to the gate while the three mares and foal stopped about twenty feet away. "This is Natasha Romanoff. She wants me to come work for the Ravenmoore Police Department. She can see you, which is a recommendation in itself. Ms. Romanoff, this is Tenebrus. He and his family decided to retire to Preya at the same time I did. They know they have a safe haven here on my estate to raise their young, and plenty of game in the woods here and in Everdale."
He listened to the soft murmurs from the stallion. "If you wish, of course. I doubt there will be any giants to fight this time though. I think they just want me to help them sort out the local magical types. I can always let you know if any of them need eating."
Tenebrus snorted softly, then gently bumped Richard's chest with his nose. He briefly turned the gaze of his pure white eyes to Natasha, snorted again, turned, and began walking slowly away.
Richard knocked again on the gatepost. "Lights out please." The witchlights slowly dimmed and went out. "The thing is, Ms. Romanoff, one of the ways thestrals evolved differently than, say, horses, was in their use of magic, both to fly, and to hide their existence from most humans. In fact, only those who have seen death, looked on it, who understand it completely, can see thestrals at all. You aren't some office drone with weapons that never leave their holsters. You've passed my little test. I have table and chairs on the back patio, or we can adjourn to my office if you prefer. My time is yours, talk to me."