Yevgeney continued the charade for another hour or so and even agreed to return the next day to make a final decision on the thoroughbred. He made sure to mention that he was staying at an inn an hour's walk from there, having passed the place along the way. The farmer seemed to accept this and saw him off.
Once back at his camp, Yevgeney considered his options. He really did not want to have to steal Sassy, as much as he tried to justify it in his mind. Unlike his more daring sister, he preferred honest means, even when dealing with dishonest people. Still, he acknowledged the current stakes, which was why he had lied to the farmer despite his own discomfort.
In the end, however, he decided to try the most honest means first and try to convince the farmer to sell Sassy to him. The man obviously did not know of her true identity, as evidenced by his willingness to show her to a visitor. Plus, Yevgeney had come prepared with plenty of money. Chances are, the man would sell Sassy with a good enough offer. So, with this in mind, he settled down to sleep for the night.
Meanwhile, at the time Yevgeney had made his exit, the farmer watched him go. Once the man was out of sight over the hill, an appaloosa stallion wandered over to him.
"What do you think, Gelvin?" The farmer asked the horse, which shivered as it dwindled into the form of his horse expert.
"He's a noble," Gelvin said. "He tries to hide it with magic, but I can smell the scent of a Witch's Pony on him, though it's hard to determine from when. Each of those is easily worth ten horses or more."
"So, he's lying, then," the farmer sighed. "Knew this was too good to be true."
"Not necessarily," Gelvin pointed out. "He could have lost the pony recently, not hard to believe around these parts. With the capital fallen, it's every man for himself out there on the road. Still, most witches fleeing the city have left this area a long time ago."
"So why is he here now?"
Gelvin dug his boot into the dust in thought, a habit carried over from his horse form. "He asked to see the pregnant mares, did he not? Perhaps, he has a connection to that girl four months ago. She was a witch, too."
"A noble with a Witch's Pony traveling all the way here for one horse? Rather farfetched, don't you think?"
"Who can predict the whims of nobles?" Gelvin shrugged. "Maybe it was her pet."
"Still feels odd," the farmer said. "I'm not sure if we ought to get involved. If he wants the Arabian, I may just sell her to him."
"Not so fast." Gelvin held up a hand. "There may be another way."