Ava was already looking for Orhan when she heard his call. Her little ears flicked forwards and she turned her head to see his familiar figure making his way down the dunes and towards the main oasis a short way away. He was gathering the herd it seemed. Ava paused, hesitating for a moment as he glanced back at Yusuf behind her. She had offered to take him to Orhan, but she had not intended to bring the stranger before the whole group. After all, she wasn’t sure how Orhan would react, let alone the other mares that she had been intending to get to know when she had stumbled upon the worn out stallion on the outskirts of the herd. But she could hardly leave Yusuf now, and if she didn’t go to Orhan he would no doubt wonder why she was missing. She shook her head and carried on, moving slowly so as not to lose her blind companion. The other mares were on the other side of the water, so Ava reached Orhan first when he had reached the bottom of the sandy slope. She greeted him with a warm smile, though her uncertainty was clear in her gaze as she watched cautiously for his reaction. At least if she could explain herself briefly before the other mares reached them, she might be able to relax again. “Orhan,” she greeted him, coming to stand a few feet in front of him. She was quiet for a moment, glancing back to Yusuf and considering her words carefully before she spoke them. “I found Yusuf here out in the Desert, weak with thirst. I don’t meant to be a bother, but he has no place to go... I told him he should come and speak to you.” |