Gabbar
stallion . arabian . bay . 14.3hh . 6
Valve does not correct him. He sees, instead, her whole body stiffen as she bores into him with her liquid-black gaze, eyes as sleek as her obsidian coat. Gabbar himself tenses. The stallion expects her to fight him on this; why, he cannot say. Perhaps because he has never before challenged her in any way. She led him to this land and assisted him in taking it, and even when they were the only two members of the herd they shared responsibility over the land. This was fine, then. Gabbar was fresh to the islands and still operating under the belief that mares were inherently superior to stallions, still determined to locate the two high-ranking mares from his home to deliver a message and then depart.
Gabbar has completed his task and rejected his culture, and is now responsible for the safety of two others. One, the mother of a stallion he considers an ally and of mixed bloodlines. The other is kindhearted and vastly different from the purebreds from his homeland. The bay stallion does not know how Valve will fit among this herd. She is too stoic, too controlled— too cold. He himself treads too carefully around her. Gabbar always has, and still feels he must because she is so similar to the horses he used to be surrounded by. He does not want to be reminded of that desert in his own home.
When Valve speaks her voice is empty of conflict, and when she acquiesces to his quiet demand Gabbar remembers to breathe. He expected resistance. Instead, she relaxes and appears to accept that Gabbar cannot and will not elevate her to equal standing with himself within the herd. He thinks, this could work, but there is no lift to his heart at the prospect of sharing responsibility of the Dunes with the black Akhal-Teke.
She is capable, yes; daunting, absolutely; a formidable fighter— this he has witnessed firsthand. But Gabbar does not need such a warrior in the Dunes. These Isles are full of peace. He doubts she will be satisfied with this sedate life he has created for himself here, and cannot imagine her standing companionably with a herd full of mixed breeds. Additionally, he is unduly attracted to her. It will only bring trouble.
However, it has been two years. He knows he is different. As always, Valve keeps her thoughts close to herself. She is still as private as ever but this does not mean that she hasn’t changed. Gabbar is willing to bide his time and observe her at the oasis with the other mares to see if she is at all different. Perhaps this could work. Perhaps he can stifle his attraction to her as successfully as he has in the past, and she will be absorbed by the band as a member of the herd.
Perhaps.
“I want you to meet the others,” he says. “Evaline and Avangeline.” Gabbar chooses not to describe either mare to Valve. He wants to witness her honest opinion of the two of them without any influence from him and he wants to see how the other mares will receive the black Akhal-Teke. It could be his worries are unfounded and all will be well. Gabbar will believe that when he sees it.
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