Jasper, now named Midnight by the rebels, was regularly bridled and led around on a lead, but not ridden. A man who grew up on a horse farm instructed his comrades that a pregnant mare should not be saddled, nor even ridden bareback. Her mate, whom the rebels had named Midday, was not free from this. He was saddled and ridden daily, to make sure he would obey their commands.
Midnight couldn’t help but admire Midday as he pranced about. He was so sexy and handsome. Far superior to the other horses at the camp. She was the only mare, so the rebels’ stallions were constantly sniffing her, trying to get her attention. But the only stallion for her was Midday. Thankfully, Midday continued to be a dedicated mate to her, even though she was now so big that she sought sex with him less.
It was a normal day, with Midnight trying to come up with an escape plan, when she felt a searing pain in her belly. She whinnied loudly, drawing attention. The rebel who had grown up on a horse farm, named Carlisle, quickly came to her side.
“Easy, girl,” he said soothingly. He gently got Midnight to lay down on her side. “Do not worry, the first foal is always the hardest.” Midnight’s eyes widened. Was she in labor? Another contraction hit her. Yes, she certainly was!
Thankfully, horse birth was far easier and shorter than human birth, and with Carlisle’s careful instructions, Midnight gave birth quickly to a colt without any issue. Midnight panted as she looked at her newborn son. He was an Arabian of flawless pedigree, like his parents, but his coat was a gray that was the exact midpoint of Midnight and Midday’s.
“I think we will name him Dusk,” Carlisle said. Midnight got to her feet. She nudged Dusk, who, after a few wobbly seconds, got up as well. Dusk promptly went to her small udder and began to suckle from her teat hungrily. Carlisle patted Midnight. “Well done, girl. He will be a fine stallion when he is grown.”
Midnight stood in the paddock, her newborn colt nursing, trying to stuff down her panic. She waited too long to escape! It would be far more difficult for a stallion, a mare, and a colt to leave! Midday came over to her and nuzzled her. Midnight whickered softly at him. He was always so good at calming her down.