Maslakhat blinked, watching as the large, painted stallion came casually strolling over as if he’d been here many times before. He nearly admitted as such, congratulating the Akhal-Teke on his acquisition of the property in a grossly familiar tone, despite being away from his herd and wandering within the bounds of another territory. The golden bay stallion thought for a moment that this stranger might actually be responsible for the yellow mare’s soon-to-be child, but the confusion evident upon Illusion’s face was indicative that this was likely not the case. Therefore, he concluded that he must have come here to collect whichever shiny trinkets from the previous regime happen to be laying about. How very opportunistic of him. Of course, Maslakhat had been attentive enough to prevent the theft, however indirectly. It was simply not in his nature to let something slip his grasp without being paid his due, even if he could not see the value himself.

“Yes, well it seems I have a tendency to be in the right place at the right time,” he retorted cooly as he looked the other stallion straight in the eyes. “And really, I am deeply flattered that you would come all this way simply to congratulate me.” Maslakhat flicked his tail with a smile, indicating he was onto his game.

As Illusion and Raptor questioned their place in all this, he briefly turned his attention back to them.

“Oh, I don’t know if I would say that,” he offered. “I am not the arbiter of you and Raptor’s fate, miss Illusion. You’ve as much free will to stay or go as our new friend here.”

He turned back to the painted stallion, pausing for a moment. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”

Maslakhat took a few steps toward him before circling away and standing behind Illusion and her yearling filly, placing them both in the middle of the two stallions.

“Now,” he continued as he llifted his head, staring them down as his golden coat gleamed brightly in the unforgiving sun, almost as though he were empowered by it. “It certainly goes without saying that the outcome of all this depends entirely on what you decide.”


MASLAKHAT

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