[private] sabbath;

[Valek]

Summer sun flashes off Valek’s skin as he lopes along the rivers edge and then into the tall grass of the meadow. He is bright and dark in equal parts, rich auburn bay with sabino markings that make him look as though he has just raced through liquid gold.



It is no wonder his dam looks on him with proud exasperation. Handsome, reckless thing.



Kensa is a permissive mother and yet Valek has never come down into the common lands. Hyaline is vast and has long satisfied his desire to roam while shaping him into the promisingly stocky boy who slows to a stop beneath the vast branches of an old rangy oak. From this vantage he can take stock of the vast meadow and its gently rolling hills. The sun is dropping ever lower in the west and he decides he’ll stay at least until he can see the sun setting behind the forest. He is still young enough to return to his own bed each night. It has not occurred to him to deviate from all the patterns of his infancy. Yet.



Here in the meadow there are a number of unfamiliar horses, but Valek is more particular than his mother in matters of socialization and does not introduce himself to anyone nearby. Instead he trots around the tree in ever widening circles, claiming the tree and its shade as his personal territory. He flags his black tail and arches his neck as he goes. Posturing. Eventually he stops at the edge of his domain and paws at the dust bright eyes scanning the strangers for someone to join his kingdom.

VALEK