He must have been king a while back, Stardust said, her coat beginning to lather. It was way too hot for her finely groomed Tinuvel winter fuzz. My daddy’s been king in the Bay for two years. He said there was a stallion before him named Dexter… And his second, Magnus, told me once that his dad ran the Bay like ages and ages ago. She looked up at Tarrant. How’d ya end up way out here?
She looked around again. Neither Sokka nor Tarrant seemed to be getting wet. Her tail slapped her sides double time. Too many bugs.
It’s pretty cool… but it’s so hot. Its like it isn’t winter. She paused. Are there always so many bugs?
Yeah, dare’s a lodda bugs, Sokka offered, hoping to make up for his mistake. He looked up at Tarrant, grateful for his explanation. Dare’s a wata ‘ole not ta far. Stardust shot him a look, but he seemed to be trying to be pleasant. Though his words were difficult to understand. Why did he talk so weird? Stardust’s ears pricked up at the mention of Harlequin.
Yes I do! Stardust said. Harle’s younger than me, but older than Luana. Luana’s my other sister. Me and Harle look like our dad… although his black isn’t as black as mine. Luana’s got a white rump, but she’s got black like him. Stardust decided not to mention that if Soljor caught them out here all alone he’d probably have a stroke or something. Soljor was the protective sort; he just hadn’t figured out when to let go and let his daughters do their own thing.
They arrived at a watering hole and Stardust had never been so grateful to see running water. She whinnied and galloped forward, wading into the water and began to gulp it down. Sokka watched and then looked back at Tarrant.
Are girls awhays sa distrac’able? Sokka asked, his voice low again. He didn’t have much experience outside his mother and Pilar. Adult girls seemed to be different from girls his own age. Then again, he had only just met Stardust. He didn’t know if he wanted to meet many other girls if they were all like this.
STARDUST & SOKKA
filly || black tobiano || ten months || the Bay & colt || chestnut || nine months || the Paradise |