Gabbar cannot help but feel smug as his question unlocks more answers. He is careful not to indulge in too much self-satisfaction, however, and listens attentively as Evaline responds with more information than he expects. He does not understand what the palomino refers to. There are five Isles total and the weather is, as much as he’s been witness to, mild. Balmy. Kind. He looks around at the band as Avangeline expresses quiet horror at the event, and he wonders if her imagination exaggerates the severity of the storm and land-crumbling. But no. Valve, too, reacts gravely, and he knows her to be a supremely rational horse. "These Isles have history," is all he says, but makes note to ask about this apparently calamitous event later.

His eyes return to Evaline. "A large family," he says. "I hear your pride in them." Gabbar envies her offspring. Evaline is a strong mare and, he believes, a devoted mother. He does not think Iftikhar has ever thought to speak of him except to condemn his existence to others, and though he’s rejected her influence over him he would be lying to say it did not still sting to be so reviled by the mare who bore him, simply for being who he is. The Arabian pushes these thoughts aside, gently, and yawns. The morning is now well underway and the sun already burns hot. Gabbar can feel the sand warming. He turns to the two Akhal-Tekes and is glad he’s witnessed a rapport forming between them. It makes him think perhaps it is not such a bad thing, after all, to have Valve here again. He ignores the voice who insists it’s only because they’re both the same breed, and addresses his buckskin friend. "Avangeline, bring Valve with you on patrol today," he says before looking at the black mare. "I’d like you to know what we check daily so you can help."

Perhaps he should include Evaline in this, as well, but Gabbar is reluctant. It is clear the palomino is still suffering from her forced relocation. He does not trust that the Dunes and its herd are her priority, just yet, and decides he’ll hold off until her mood shifts. Perhaps it is wrong of him to make such a choice, but Gabbar is new to leading a herd —and to having authority, even if he believes he will not abuse it, over mares. All of this is foreign ground to him and he’s forging ahead blindly but with the best intentions. "Evaline,” he says as he turns back to her. “I’d like to speak with you." He moves away from the slender pair of Akhal-Tekes and toward Evaline, then further to take advantage of the long shade thrown by the sun toward the water, where he waits for the palomino to join him.