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Nekharat tossed her head and reared up, pawing the warm air with a quick swoop of her narrow foreleg in response to Shararat’s nip and playful challenge. She kept her eyes on the black mare as she quickly darted up to the top of the dune, and for the briefest of moments, she realized she had never connected so quickly with someone else. How rare to form such an instant bond.

In the past, most of her travels had been solitary, so perhaps this feeling was just a result of the social deprivation, but deep within her own gut she felt it was different—maybe even unique. Whatever this feeling was, she did not intend to forget about it, nor lose it. Time would certainly tell what it all might mean. For now, Nekharat would prove that the Arabian had met her match in fleetness.
“We shall see!” She retorted as she galloped past her, carrying her head high with her small, sharp ears pressed forward and her nose pointed into the wind. Her deep red coat shone brightly in the midday sun, gleaming like a beacon for Shararat to pursue.

It was indeed wonderful to run amongst the sands again, so wonderful that Nekharat pondered if she could truly leave this island for any substantial length of time. Perhaps she was meant to end up here, but she also knew it was too soon for her to settle in any one place. She would be remiss not to explore this land even more, to uncover the potential hidden around every corner.

NEKHARAT