Just do it. Today is the day. You have more than enough reason.

With a resigned sigh, the stallion flagged his tail and gave the oasis a quick glance, confirming that his herd was all there and content. Then he pointed his body west and pushed himself up and over the large dune that overlooked the desert horses like a great sentinel, muscles bunching and rippling beneath his hide as they fought the pull of gravity.

He had told no one he was leaving, but if all went well, he would not be gone long. He did not intend on traversing the seas all the way to the crossing island, though several prophetic blood-red sunsets had come and gone; no, after much consideration he still maintained that Maslakhat was a liar, and that his mother knew better than to draw him so far away from his herd, where he could not protect them. Instead, it was to the neighoring territory he made for. This was a journey he had been putting off for far too long; not only did he hope to find a trace or rumor of Vesti and Izzy’s existence, he wanted to meet this so-called Gabbar to ascertain that he was no threat and that he was worthy of A’idah. And finally, he wished to speak to A’idah herself, to see what she made of Valve and Maslakhat, since apparently the three all knew each other.

But it seemed today would not be that day - at least, not entirely.

In truth, the stallion had completely forgotten his promise to grace Yusuf with an audience, to discuss the matter of him residing here; so much had happened since the herd meeting, and the blind stallion was surprisingly good at making himself scarce.

Yet, as he descended the large dune that bordered the oasis and picked up his pace to cross his territory more efficiently, he caught sight of the slim mahogany stallion and it all came flooding back. Yet he was not alone - there was a fine-boned chestnut mare with him, unfamiliar until Orhan came a bit closer. When he realized who it was, his gut flip-flopped. How could he have not recognized her?

He reached the pair slightly out of breath, his nostrils gently quivering as he exhaled and looked them over. The three of them had not stood on the same patch of ground since the day he’d banished his mother from the desert, and it felt strange for them to be reunited, considering all that had happened. How things have come since then.

“A’idah,” he greeted the mare with a slight dip of his chin, his dark eyes bright and curious. The last time they had spoken, he had cordially invited her to visit him any time, though he had not been hopeful she would take him up on his offer. It was a pleasant - and yet, strangely worrying - surprise to see her in his home. She had not stepped foot in the desert since that fateful day - had something happened? “It’s nice to see you. What brings you here?”

Though he could scarcely pull his attention away from the Arabian mare, after a moment he managed to acknowledge Yusuf’s presence, giving him a brief glance that he knew would be lost on the blind stallion. “Yusuf, I trust you’re well?”