It was a test of sorts. Jasper was a bold soul and the stallion’s response told him what more he needed to know about where he had wandered to in this land that was utterly strange to him. There was no better way to familiarize oneself than to probe a resident of these parts. Jasper regarded the paler stallion. Clearly he was an authority figure here, the master of the home and herd so to speak. He was not as direct as Jasper presumed one of this realm might be. Rather this virile spoke calmly, almost politely despite Jasper’s own snide response.
“The appropriate action would be to presume the stranger a thief or a vagabond that means harm on your herd and property.” Jasper’s voice was light, there was no tension in either his voice or body language, a smirk persistently spread on his face. The darker virile disrupted the void of silence and spoke again. “Forgive me if you will Sir, I was wrong to assume no tribes called this desert home. The name’s Jasper. You need not worry since I have not come here for your kingdom or your mares.” His voice was smooth with just a hint of edge. He was not sure how the nameless lord would take that last remark, but it was more or less true. Up until a few moments ago he had little idea he had wandered into such a place. And while he did not intend harm to anyone or anything for that matter, he could not resist the incline to meet the exotic desert maids that call this place home…he had heard so much about maidens of the desert afterall.
Jasper waited that judgment might be passed on him. He was a confident one, that needed no argument. Getting on in his years, he still was young at heart and ever open for new adventures. Having travelled alone all his years, he never really imagined being pulled to the wild seas and surviving the ordeal with four hooves intact. If ever he had himself an adventure, this was it to wash onto the shores of a strange land and wander into the desert where tribes willingly chose to roam and call the place homeland. His eyes sparked with youthful energy despite his age, but little else to indicate what the bay’s true agenda was. With Jasper, none but himself could be sure of that.
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