V e s t i

Vesti had to think about the answer to El Aran’s question. What’s there to think about? We both know you can’t keep the itch out of your legs for long. The Voice laughed. Vesti snorted, but met the other mare’s gaze. The black mare’s ears had begun a steady decline and Vesti had to wonder what she had said to tick her off.

She shifted her weight a bit and pawed slightly out the ground, looking about the Oasis.

“Well, I can certainly see the benefit of sticking around,” Vesti said. “But it would seem that there are few on this island that stay for long enough to be either friend or foe. The sands do a marvelous job at weeding out those who don’t have what it takes.” In that, Vesti could be assured she did. The Sun and Sand had tried to finish what the Sea had started.

All had failed.

The other mare seemed to relax a little and Vesti in turn relaxed. She suspected if she needed to run, all she had to do was get beyond the Oasis and the black wouldn’t follow her. And fast was something she was good at. It was unadvised during the heat of the day, however. We don’t want to do that again. Just keep your tongue in check and maybe they’ll let us stick around.

Then came the question. Vesti had been hoping it would come from Orhan but it was unlikely. He seemed to have made it clear that she was unwelcome. But, might as well see if his dam could change his mind.

“I am Vesti,” she said. She had always liked her name. It’s meaning always escaped her, but she was sure it was wondrous. “And yes. I intended to stay. But I’m not sure your son desires much in the way of company. So, we shall see how long I’m about.” She looked at the shedding buckskin. Poor guy, perhaps the heat was getting to him. “He seems to come from someplace cooler. I hope he finishes his shed before the heat really hits.”

Badr’s theft in summer of her first year had nearly killed her. She remembered the heat all too well. It had blinded and enraged her. It had made her strong all the same.

|| mare || seven springs || 15.0hh || morgan x quarter horse || sorrel || belongs to salem || grai and kel ||
|| unknown x unknown || blushie ||

but I wasn't going to let fear _{s t o p} me