She had not been among them for long—

There had only been sand and sky and a strange ache in her spirit. Zazu had kept away from the herd, the mares taken by the princes, she hardly wanted to mingle. Aldebaran’s words still rang in her ears, freedom and a new start—a place where she could truly be a daughter of Shu and run the burning wastes.

But they were just words, so the bay sabino had asked to be left alone to think. If she stayed she was giving up her life in Mira, her parents, her place under the banner of Pakhet. Everything known to be lost and for what? Zazu did not desire marriage or children, nor the yoke of a man about her slender neck. Her desires were wind and sun and her feet flying fast. Yet, Aldebaran was very much like her in his own way, they shared common interests in the name of Shu.

Zazu couldn’t quite tell what it was she wanted yet, but knew if she didn’t remain she would have to return to Mira—she would have to alert the platoon of the princes’ new home and have them recovered.

The little mare walks lazily down the long and forever falling dunes. Her feet shuffle, her haunches bunch. The air is thick here, dry, it sticks inside her nose. She snorts loudly and shifts her weight, moving slowly down into the valley where the great peaks of the sand loom like an open mouth ready to swallow her whole.
”