Maslakhat was first joined by a pale horse, and lo it was not Death, but instead a tall and slender stallion of distinguished yet questionable heritage. The Akhal-Teke looked on at him carefully as he ambled closer, offering a call to another before he casually greeted him without significant alarm. The one who answered his call however, was a sizable gypsy stallion—black and white with large feet obscured by feathers and lacking in the refinement typical of his hot blooded kin. He stayed quiet, offering only a nicker of subdued greeting as Maslakhat watched with nonplused expression. How incredulous that such a creature would choose to reside among the unforgiving and arid expanse of the desert, when there were so many options more befitting of his nature. He was either oblivious or a masochist.

One of them was the leader of this place, and he was inclined to believe it was the first stallion purely based on his more direct approach, yet if the opposite were true, why would he call for the other? Maslakhat mulled this over for the briefest of moments before he responded. Only a fool would deign to venture into another’s territory and spew disrespect, regardless of the mismatch.

“Hello. I appreciate you both receiving me this day,” he looked first to the thick-boned stallion and then to the pale one, paying them both their due before continuing. “I am Maslakhat, of the Dunes.”

He paused briefly, considering his next words carefully.

“I aim not to trouble either of you for long, but I have heard word of a number of disappearances plaguing Salem these past few months. The black mare called Shararat is among them. I pray perhaps you have seen her, and that no such unfortunate circumstances have befallen those closest to you.”

The golden bay Akhal-Teke was not typically sentimental, nor would he mind if one near to him were to wander away from his supervision for a time. His fellow desert-bred compatriots were typically more than capable of handling any undue situations that may arise by themselves, however his motivation in locating Shararat was twofold. One, to endear himself to his neighbors in such a way that something like the beginnings of trust might form, and more readily—he was eager to learn more of the inner workings of the formidable mare, Ak Burun, and only her sister Shararat would have the answers he sought.


MASLAKHAT

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