Hoshor Plains basalt ii

silverbirch would not be deterred. selenia was divided between the instinct to canter toward maplesmoke and the instinct to defend her filly from him.

when fancy showed, it was with relief that she whinnied toward the lead mare, and nudged her foal a little as if to say go. 

only when they had parted from one another would she allow maplesmoke to move closer, kicking her heels a bit to say not too fast.

selenia found herself as eager for him as he seemed to be for her, but courtship rites must be observed.

and when maplesmoke ran their gamut, she welcomed him with a bright squeal, flicking plume aside for his entry.

nature went on.

the horses fed together after that, selenia preening small burrs from her stallion's mane as he watched over their band beneath the wide sky.