The last few months in the Lagoon have been quiet, and for the most part, Gent has enjoyed this. The unpleasant musk of so many foul-tempered stallions had been stifling, and now that the offensive beasts are off to war (hopefully never to return), Gent somewhat feels like he can breathe again.

But this relief has been tainted by a lurking feeling of unsettledness which has only grown over the weeks. Perhaps his mood has only darkened because, with Diamant or Collision to keep him company, the Lagoon has been a dreadfully lonely and boring place. But Gent knows deep down it is more than that. He feels restless and anxious, almost wishing he had followed the bachelors if only so he had something to occupy his mind with. Here, he is useless. He cannot play his part in the war by simply sitting and waiting for something to happen. Yet Gent is no fighter. He does not belong on a battlefield. His strength is with words and calculation.

It strikes him one fall afternoon that there is something he can do while he waits for the bachelors to return: he can get to know the handful of lurkers that have wandered into the Lagoon, feel them out, and see if they might be sympathetic to his cause. Oh, how delicious it would be for Cullen and his cronies to return, only to find Gent had gathered a force of horses that had no intention of bowing to the returning Boss. Logically, he knows this outcome is unlikely, but it’s still awfully satisfying to daydream about.

He is standing grazing near the Lagoon’s edge, enjoying the cool breeze as it combs through his dark mane, when the first likely target appears. It’s a stallion Gent hasn’t seen before, but he smells familiar, which suggests he’s perhaps been lurking out of sight for a few days. Lifting his head and swallowing his last mouthful of grass, Gent’s sharp blue eyes watch the newcomer for a few moments, reading his body language and deciding how best to approach him. When he finally does, it’s with a smile and a confident saunter.

“Afternoon,” he says in a breezy tone. “You a new boy?”