Outside, the young man Sassy recognized as Gelvin, the appraiser, led her to the stable. "You'll be wanting some supper as well, aren't you, girl."
She could not deny the truth of this, so she cooperated. Soon, she was in a stall, munching away at the feed provided. While she had never considered hay and oats to be proper food, she had to admit her present tastes were quite content with the fare. When her tack was removed, she thought nothing of it. Surely, this was simply how horses were cared for, right?
Less than an hour later, Anya reemerged from the house and found her mount right where she left her, nearly invisible now in the dark of the night. With one last thank you and farewell to the farmer, she set off again.
The farmer watched her go in silence. Mentally, he told himself this was for the best. Starling was his best Murgese, a much better horse for travel and work, maybe not as fancy as an Arabian but a far more practical breed for the girl's needs. Plus. Starling was not pregnant.
Ah, yes. Gelvin's scan had detected that the black mare had only recently been impregnated. The inexperienced girl, probably a sheltered noble, clearly had no clue as to the real value of the animal beneath her nor how to provide for her properly. This way, the mare would receive the best of care, he would have two valuable Arabians, and the girl would get a more suitable horse and additional money (Gelvin had slipped the triple amount for Berries into the girl's pack). In the end, everyone came out on top.
Or so he thought.