Early in the morning, the sky started to lighten into a pale gold. I shivered lightly, for the nights were rather cool. I watched carefully each horse in my band and was alert when the grey mare finally came to join us with her new filly at foot. I whickered softly and the mare looked at me. She was nervous, as all mares are when new ones are introduced. I flicked an ear forward as the other horses gathered around the new filly, who was glued to her dam's side. But eventually, horses moved off and the little one was allowed to suckle in peace.

I grazed as the sky burned a brilliant orange and flame colour over me. It was peaceful. I suddenly lifted my head to look at the white buildings. Somewhere, Alec was in one. I felt slightly confused. I was used to my routine with the herd, but also remembered the old one with him. However, with the old routine, I'd be in a stall. I much preferred it out here. Shaking my head, I dropped to graze again.

Soon the men came out to check us horses out and take the ones they wished for riding. The roan was taken quickly, as well as a bay mare. Someone discovered the new filly and exclaimed excitedly over it and ran to tell the others. They made funny noises over the filly and I snorted in amusement. I seem to remember such noises when I was born and had first joined the herd. Humans were strange things at times.

A large grey mare was also taken, her yearling foal left behind. I also saw other horses from the paddocks being taken as well and pricked my ears in interest. Would Alec come to ride me? There seemed to be more horses than usual getting saddled up for riding. But perhaps it would not be Alec after all, but the stranger. That I didn't want. I decided to turn and make my way into the middle of the herd, in between the brown mare and the grey. The two small foals were at first nervous of each other, then finally one sniffed the other. Pretty soon they were running around on long gangly legs. Had I looked like that as a young one? I hoped not. Though they did look cute.

The sun was clear over the horizon when I jerked my head up. The horses were coming back, but each one was mounted. There were two different groups. I easily saw Jôhar in one group and watched her eagerly. Perhaps we'd go for a ride! But then the other group reached us first. I recognized them… they would come and catch me and tack me up to ride. That meant the stranger would ride me today. I reared up high, scattering a few horses in the herd. This turned out to be a bad move, since now the men had a clear way to catch me. One noosed a rope over my neck quickly from the back of his horse. I snapped with my ears flat, but several men, used to handling me, moved in quickly and had my halter on in a trice.

They swung back on their horses and led me to the saddling area and where the stranger would mount me. I put up a very short struggle before finally accepting that I would at least get to gallop. That was exciting! I wanted to run as fast as possible and pranced along as the men led me to the right spot. Working quickly, they had me saddled and bridled as the other group...Jôhar's group… came up. Now I saw Alec riding the bay mare, and Jôhar prancing prettily under Tabari. The sheik was there on his own horse to. Henry was on the big grey, and the boy Alec's age was on the roan.

The roan nickered at me and I snorted back. I soon was distracted by a ridden mare in front of me. Torn, I stood still, for the mare was ridden by the stranger. Smoothly, he slipped off her onto my own back. He had pulled this trick before, and it greatly displeased me. I hated him! And that was a sneaky way of mounting! I reared even as the men on their horses held me briefly, but soon let go as I came down.

They bolted away from me, not wanting to be too close and to get out of my way. The stranger tried to turn me and the heavy bit pinched my tongue terribly. That made shoot straight up in the air for all I was worth. I felt the stranger grab my neck to keep his balance. I went higher, higher, then felt myself on that edge of balance where I could have fallen over. Still on my hind legs, I took one step back, then managed to drop my front end down. The stranger took this opportunity to dig his heels into my sides. I reacted instantly and shot off as fast as I could to get away from him, forgetting for the moment that he had his hands wrapped in my mane. I could feel his anger mixed with his fear of me. And… determination? And something else I could not place.

For the moment, all I wanted was to gallop. For once, the stranger's wishes and mine meshed. He wanted the same thing I did, so I ran. My strides grew longer, my head lowered and my body became one streamlined creature as I tore along the well worn track. Suddenly, I felt movement on top. What was he doing? He cursed at me in Arabic, sudden anger and hatred exploding towards… my master? Really? I was confused, then I felt hot slashes of pain along my sides. Startled, I made a giant spring forward to get away from it. I felt more painful hits on both sides of my body, and could hear the slaps of a stick on my hide, along with his muttered curses.

I grew angrier with ever stroke. What had I done to warrant this? I exploded forward with even more speed, remembering that once when Alec had fainted on me. I had hoped something similar would happen, that I would tear his breath away from his body! I grew in fury as he whipped me some more, then finally decided I had enough galloping. I tossed my foam flecked head up in protest at the harsh bit, shaking it wildly. I pistoned my legs under me, well used to the turf. Stopping at this speed was difficult and I had to make jumps to keep balance. My hooves would slide, I'd jump forward, and slow down again. Finally I was walking, my sides heaving, nostrils flared as wide as they could go. I looked for my master, or Alec. The stranger rode me over to where the grooms were waiting, and smoothly hopped off me.

For once, the grooms put a cooler on me, because I was sweating so much. One man patted me bravely, for I normally did not allow such things. But he was sympathetic to me and glared at the stranger. I pricked my ears, for my master and the others were riding up to me. Alec and Henry looked absolutely furious, and in truth, I was still angry. I started to snake my head out to bite, but was prevented by one of the grooms who started to walk me.

My master rode up to the stranger and spoke angrily to him. His voice rose and fell as the stranger got quite the tonguelashing. It seemed that I was not to be handled so roughly like that. I heard him say, "Shêtân will not be used in that manner! You do not handle my horses with a whip! I'll whip you if I ever see that again!" He shouted some more then finally the stranger nodded and turned away. I understood that he would never ride me again, and I was glad. There had always been something very wrong with him. Good riddance! The sheik came over to me and stroked my wet neck and murmured, "I am sorry, Shêtân. Forgive me for choosing such a wrong man for you. Never will you feel the sting of a stick again. I swear on Allah that it will never happen again." He murmured some more things, but I was only glad that he was alright. And Alec was near. I trusted them both with all my heart.

Tabari suggested a ride for the others and after another look at me, led the group off. I wished I could have gone with them, but I was too tired, and still hot and sweaty. The sheik spared some of his precious water and had some of the grooms wash down my sides to make sure the welts were not too swollen. I didn't like them being touched and kicked at them. But my master took hold of my halter and made me stand still, holding one ear firmly, but murmuring nice words into that same ear. Finally it was all done and I was again walked for a long time, grooms taking turns on me. He wanted to make sure my legs were good and uninjured. I felt fine, but appreciated his care of me.

I felt much better after some time in the round pen. The sheik wished the men to keep an eye on me and be undisturbed for much needed rest. I lay down and rolled in the dirt, then shook my coat in satisfaction. At last the sheik deemed me quite fine, and turned me out to graze with my band. I was quick to find my favourite brown mare and nuzzle her, the filly turning up an inquisitive face at me. I circled the herd a few times to ensure that all was well. Seeing everything quiet, the horses content, I settled down to graze. The moon was high in the sky and cast a silver light on everything. All was at peace.

At least, it was until the moon stood directly above and I heard the snort of a horse that did not belong here.