Fell had not noticed the foal with the group, had not even known she was supposed to be there until her sneeze. The combination of the sharp little sound and Fearne’s own startle cause Fell to flinch heavily in alarm, his muscles tensing and his heart leaping with a combination of adrenaline and fury. For a moment his ears slick back and he is ready for violence, his head tossed high and eyes rolling toward the source of the disturbance.

But it is just a child, and Fell’s head drops down again. Embarrassment and anger heat his face, and he curses himself for nearly picking a fight with a little filly. You fool, he thinks, and he shakes himself, as though the action might physically rid him of shame.

The spotted mare either does not notice or does not care. She scolds the girl, gently, and offers Fell a taught smile. She seems to know the filly was an unexpected addition to the trade, but as the discomfort of his alarm wears off, Fell can’t find a reason to protest the change. It might have been different with a colt, but there were plenty of children already tearing around the Bay that one more won’t make a difference.

Fearne introduces herself and her daughter, and Fell tries once more to shake away any remaining embarrassment. The adrenaline and rage had receded, leaving only irritation in their wake, which Fell makes a great effort to tamp down. Rigel had promised him willing companions, a rather uncommon commodity for the abrasive Bay stallion, and he does not yet want to ruin what little willingness these two might possess. He has no reason to believe they necessarily want to be with him, but he would much rather bring in a mare who does not wish to flay him than one who does, even if that mare is only running from someone worse.

Fell offers a dip of his head to Fearne in greeting, and then another, smaller nod to Fiadh. The filly looks too young to roughhouse with Khoshekh, but she might get along with Kæja. Fell’s throat squeezes with some uncomfortable emotion at the thought of the little dark filly, and his face hardens to keep a grimace off of it. Maybe the spotted child could bring Kæja back around to him. Mae would never let Fell near her again, but she might allow another filly.

Fell pulls his thoughts back to the present, tearing his gaze away from Fiadh and back to Fearne. He has noticed her shivering by now, and he jerks his muzzle toward the trees, where there is at least shelter from the wind, and the herd for warmth not far away. If she would follow him deep enough, he could show her the little hot spring nestled at the base of the mountain near the Cove border, but he doesn’t expect her to trust him enough to lead her into the deepest parts of the Bay on her first day.

Another time, perhaps.

FELL

stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.