The first clue was the heady scent filling the air, causing a tingling warmth in Jasper's body. Panting, he eyed the other horses, finally noticing that they were all mares of exceptional breeding. What else could one expect of the farm that provided the royal horses? Still, nothing else seemed unusual about them other than the agitated hunger in their movements. They all wanted something.
Jasper shivered. (I want something, too. But what?) Confused, he wandered back out of the corral. The other mares followed his example and also began leaving the enclosure. No doubt the owners of the farm, most likely royalists, had fled, leaving the gates open to let the horses roam free until they got back.
Heading back toward the road, Jasper thought, (I should travel to the Copperstone territory to find Anya. I just need to avoid people.)
A horse was a valuable commodity, especially in wartime. While this meant he had little fear of being killed, everyone who saw such a fine horse by himself would want to capture him.
Suddenly, a loud snort shattered his contemplation. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Jasper turned to see an Arabian stallion emerging from the open gate of another corral. The horse was huge and nearly glowed in the moonlight thanks to his gleaming white coat, a contrast to Jasper's midnight black.
Then, the smell hit him. That musk that hung in the air, making his head swim and his body ache with strange need. This ache intensified as the stallion came over and nuzzled Jasper's long neck.
Realization finally hit.
(I want...HIM!) Jasper whickered eagerly as the stallion moved behind him. Instinctively, he moved his tail aside. (B-But why a stallion? I felt nothing with those mares...unless...Oh no! NO! I can't be a-)
Too late. In an instant, the powerful stallion mounted the beautiful Arabian mare and began to mate with her.