The cries of women in labor had filled the air more often than usual as of late. The season of new life was upon him once again, and Yusuf sighed heavily. Since the herd meeting he had decided he didn’t want to bother any of Orhan’s mares—and if most of them were due to foal then it was an instinct he was glad he followed. He thought of his own mother, wondering what became of her, and if she would have thought fondly of him if she was still around.

Belki, belki değil, he said to himself aloud, hoping that maybe Ava would be around to hear it. He adored her, but would not admit it. She was Orhan’s, and the last thing he wanted was to upset the man who had offered to entertain the idea of letting him stay here. He did want to seek the lead stallion out today, and so Yusuf begin heading toward the smell of fresh water—the oasis—where he thought most of the herd would be. He plodded along slowly and carefully, nickering ever so often in the hope that Orhan would overhear it and they could have a proper conversation.



-yusuf