It did not take long for someone to respond to Nadja’s call. Though muffled by the sand, the hoofbeats of the galloping stallion turned the blue roan’s head to watch the stranger as he slid to a halt. He looked similar to her in build and size, though he was a bit taller. She watched the sun slide over his speckled red hide. He was built for this land, like she was, and she imagined he had grown up and lived his life here, like her father had. He made the sand look like it belonged to him.

"Dangers?" she said with alarm, one ear flicking back over her shoulder. She thought he meant snakes, or some other venomous desert predator, and his promise of sustenance was enticing. She took a step forward to follow him, though his hissing voice had made her uneasy. Why was he whispering?

"Where is it we’re going?" she asked, some suspicion in her voice as she moved to stay close to the handsome bay’s side. She thought maybe he was playing a game because she was new here. Was she being hazed? Maybe she shouldn’t go. But he had promised water and food… and she was so hungry, and her throat was so dry. And she was still so tired.

She followed after him.

NADJA