Woman and stallion rested beside a traveller’s well. The suns were high and it was too hot to continue. They had both drunk deeply, while Nonzame averted her gaze from the leather bag, which she had lowered into the deep for their drink. Now the stallion had settled down beside her in the scanty shade of a quiver tree.

She had expected the stallion to abandon her as soon as they had stopped. No bridle or rope held him in place. Yet now, settled in the dust beside her, he gazed out, as if keeping watch. “Thank you,” she told him.

He nuzzled her shoulder, his smoky breath wispy, nearly brushing her cheek.

She lay down her head and fell asleep.

* * * * *

Lukaya cracked the reins and the two mares pulled his lightest cart. Folded behind his seat was his wheelchair and modest provisions. He had put a hat on himself and both the zebras, and on their backs was his own invention, a cooling device that allowed water to slowly seep over their hides.

From a leather thong on Lukaya’s neck hung a solitary coral bead. It was already warm and it tugged, urging its wearer onwards.

* * * * *

Nonzame woke alone. She scanned the landscape, but there was no sign of the stallion. With a heavy sigh, she rolled up the blanket, secured it to her pack, before lowering the leather bag once more down into the well. As she drew up the heavy bag, the sound of thundering hooves reached her ears.

She looked out. Golden hooves gleamed in the fading light. As she heaved the leather bag up over the lip, the stallion was by her side. He dropped a rabbit at her feet.

“Thank you.”

By the time the sun was set, she had eaten her fill while the stallion grazed on bark and roots. The animal stood patiently as she unrolled the blanket and placed it on his back. As she swung herself upwards, the Traveller’s Stone slipped out from between her breasts. Freed into the early evening air, it floated, tugging lightly on her neck. She turned the zebra according to the stone’s demand. “Fly.”

The stallion lunged into the night.

 ***

Tell us: Why do you think the stallion stayed and helped Nonzame?