Valentine frowned at the other stallion’s icy tone, confused by his open hostility. He knew that as far as stallions went he was pretty laid back, but this stranger’s aggressiveness seemed to be more than just territorial. It was as if Valentine had somehow managed to offend him before he had even met him. But before he could ask the question, the other stallion began to explain. Valentine’s dark-tipped ears flicked forwards in curiosity at the words, and as their meaning began to set in they tilted backwards and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. Your boy. Valentine had no sons, but there was only one colt he could be referring to. He did not know that Shamwari had been to the Forest and – even worse – that he had stumbled upon their new neighbour before Valentine had even had chance to find out what sort of guy he was. Snorting, Valentine shook his head in exasperation. Stupid boy. It was a good job that he would be escorting the youngster to the Lagoon very soon, he thought. If he had soured the relationship between the Forest and the Prairie permanently, he would have turned out to be more trouble than he was worth. Valentine had been content to treat the colt as his own, but he did not have to keep on doing so if the boy was going to be a nuisance. And Evaline. She had followed him and risked herself as well as keeping Shamwari’s antics a secret. They had both been reckless and foolish, and Valentine would tell them as much when he got home. “I can only apologise,” Valentine replied stiffly as he forced himself to focus on the other stallion again. “I didn’t know that they had been trespassing while my back was turned.” There was no point in telling the stranger that Shamwari was not his son. While he lived in his territory the boy was his responsibility, and besides, it was not a fact that he bragged about whenever he met someone new. “It won’t happen again,” he added. And it wouldn’t. He would deal with Evaline and Shamwari later. “I came here to let you know that I won’t cause you any trouble if you don’t cause me any,” he continued, trying to lighten the mood a little and redirect the conversation. “And that includes keeping my herd away from yours, if that’s what you would prefer.” He watched the other stallion carefully, gauging his reaction. |