Hoshor Plains sediment ii

She shared his disdain, but she saw something that gave her the excuse. ”She’s with foal.” Fancy had dropped three foals in her life- and each time she had had a full herd to protect her. She couldn’t imagine trying to find sanctuary among bovines, but she could understand why the mare had chosen to do so. 

She reached forward, breathing long, soft breaths into the air. She smelled good health, heather, dried grass on the mare’s breath. She saw a kindness in her eye, and heard a timidity in her voice as she spoke. She would likely be a compliant herdmate, so long as she had reason to contribute, for the protection of her unborn foal. She knew the words were for her, and she felt a pang of jealousy. Her own attempt to conceive the year prior had failed; she would have no foal to nurse in the Spring. But it wasn’t the buckskin’s fault. 

She gave a barely perceptible nod. It was Maplesmoke’s say, of course- but Fancy believed that there would be no harm in bringing her into their band. With no stallion to fight, and the likely opportunity to breed again in the Spring, she doubted very much the stud would turn her away-

But it was his call to make; as was his right.