If Sehrish could have been there for his childhood, with her carefree and non-discriminatory attitude, Indian Hemp might have grown into something completely different, something stronger, and better than what he is now. It's amazing what confidence a little bit of friendship can instill into the most fragile of hearts. Everything would be different.

He also imagines a world where his real father laid claim to his mother and raised him in a setting where everyone was family. Everyone could be full of love instead of hate. Love goes a long way towards a heaven on earth. Hate had trapped Indian Hemp in a hell of his step-father's creation. There are pieces of Hemp that are still trapped in the hell of Bayard's memory. Where would he be now of those pieces had always been free?

Indian Hemp, despite his lack of a family on the main land, is not upset by this fact at all. He has a home and a family now and this is all that counts. He has no desire to return there. He tries not to look back to the darkness behind him, but to the bright future ahead, and to Sehrish, who is a wonderful sight and a wonderful feeling, here and now.

Sehrish clarifies herself to Indian Hemp. For a moment, he lifts his head and his ears swivel. Does she not understand his position here? Will she be embarrassed by him to discover it? Once again, the first thoughts that bubble to surface of his consciousness are doubtful ones. Indian Hemp forces them down and utters a stutter-free answer. "Well, yes, and no..." His eyes search hers, waiting for the rejection he always anticipates. "Vercingetorix, the red dun stallion, is the lead. This is his territory and I am his second. The other mares are his. I do not associate with them. It's not polite for a stallion to be friendly with claimed mares that are not his own." The spotted stallion explains himself, and doesn't even realize he is holding his breath.