Gabbar grazes near Avangeline and Evaline, enjoying the quiet company of his herd. Every so often he lifts his head while chewing to survey the area. He’s waiting for Valve to come meet the others and so is looking for her distinct form in particular each time his head comes up, but there is no movement for a long time. When he raises his head next he sees a slender horse topping one of the dunes looking down over the oasis: buckskin, and too far away to tell whether or not it’s the stallion he met so very long ago. Maslakhat, his name was. As he swallows his mouthful the figure is joined from the side by a black horse who can be none other than Valve. Gabbar’s chest always tightens when he sees her and this time is no exception. He glances at the other two mares before striding away from the oasis with every intent of collecting the Akhal-Teke pair to bring them down to the rest of the band.

As he nears the base of the dune, the pair atop it is joined suddenly by a third horse: this one stocky, pale and gold, and unfamiliar. The Arabian’s heart pumps a shock of adrenaline through his system and he reaches the side of the dune at a run, legs churning sand under him as he drags himself up the side. It is a steep climb and he watches the stranger hassle Valve, flashes of Shamwari stealing Nereid at the shores of his home flashing through his mind and keeping the fire in his legs at bay as he triumphs over the steep slope. Gabbar reaches the top with a bellow and flings himself at the wide barrel of the intruder, head snaking forward to bite the base of the other stallion’s ear or side of his face or any bit of flesh, really, that happens to be within reach. He will not allow anyone to be taken from his lands, not again.