"I will keep her," Jasper's rider declared. "My family has been without a horse for months. I had to sell my old nag to pay for my children's clothes." Jasper's rider patted the side of her neck. "Given how many taxes I paid the tyrant over the years, I have more than covered the cost of this fine mare."
"Why turn down a fortuitous gift like this?" the other man agreed. "What will you name her?"
"Petra."
"A fine name for a fine horse," the other man said.
"Now, Petra, let us go home." Jasper, or rather Petra, had no choice. Her rider and new owner took hold of the lasso around her neck and directed her onto the road. Petra fumed. All she could do was be a perfect mare and hope that an opportunity to escape presented itself.
The man on the chestnut parted ways with them ten minutes into their travel, leaving Petra and her rider alone. Petra's ears swiveled constantly, listening for the sounds of bandits or other miscreants. Her current situation was bad enough. She didn't want it to get even worse.
To Petra's relief, no one attacked them, and after half an hour's ride, her rider spoke to her.
"Welcome to your new home," he said as they approached...