Sana was radiantly happy at the prospect of enjoying the freedom of the desert with her lover. Too soon, far too soon, he would have to leave her and she was glad to have him alone for the day.
Her horse, the white Arab, was an exceptionally fine but nervous beast. Carl’s mount was a tame mare in comparison and Sana teased him, saying, “I bet that you cannot catch up with me.”
“All right. I’ll bet you a kiss,” Carl retorted.
“But if I win?”
“It will suit me.”
“But if I lose?”
“That will suit me also.”
“I must say, you are some sport, Carl. Don’t you want to hold the stakes too, so that you will surely be on the safe side?”
With that she chuckled to her horse and it leaped ahead with wide swinging strides, leaving Carl to follow suit. Try as he would, it was a useless task. He had to content himself with the dust clouds from the flying heels of the Arab, as it carried Sana far ahead over the burning sands.
A few miles of this and Sana slowed up a bit, so that Carl might catch up with her. With a smile she reminded him of his lost wager, which Carl promptly paid her with interest.