Al-Hattaal touched Avangeline’s shoulder lightly with his nose, whuffing softly into her golden coat. He did not want to be here anymore. Valve and Evaline did not seem as though they were able to help him. At least with Avangeline at his side, he did not come under more severe scrutiny for his inquiry. Surely without her, these mares would have punished him for daring to trespass on their land.

“I'm sorry,” he said, taking a step backward. “You’re right. I should go…”

Gabbar was gone and he had answered the dark mare’s questions. There was nothing more to learn from them—and he certainly did not want to impose upon them any further. He couldn’t. It was time to go.

“Thank you for your help,” he said finally, and he cast a sidelong look at his golden Akhal-Teke companion. The two mares had greeted her warmly here. It was clear that they both cared about her as well. It wasn’t fair what Al-Hattaal had asked Avangeline to do—she had no stake in this fight. If she wanted to stay and be with them, she would probably be better off. He wanted her to be with him always, but he couldn’t tell her that. It was entirely selfish of him to feel that way. Avangeline has too much to offer the world to waste her time with him.

With a kick of his hooves he turned and trotted away, the sand shuffling beneath him.

A L - H A T T A A L
Zaman sana uymazsa sen zamana uy.