Anwen had a large clump of grass by the time she reached him. Stardust twitched his ear again, so she knew he was aware of her.
“Hi again,” she said in a soft voice. His ear turned her direction. “Leaving me that way was kind of rude. Not only that, but you hurt my hand.”
She turned her hand without the grass in it. Red marks from the halter being ripped out of her grip streaked across the fingers.
He turned his head, grass hanging out of his mouth, and sniffed her hand.
She grinned. “Here I thought you were some noble, beautiful horse. With all that grass in your mouth, you look more like a pig.”
Stardust shook his head with a loud exhale of air and turned back to where he was eating.
“Oh, come on,” she stepped closer. “I was joking. I didn’t know that would hurt your pride.”
Stardust stood while Anwen stroked his neck and even leaned in when she came to the itchy places. She lingered, not wanting to rush him again like she did before. He accepted her. It was far better to bond for a bit before attempting to lead him or ride him.
“Would you like some grass you don’t have to pick yourself?” She offered him the grass in her hand.
He sniffed it suspiciously, like it might be poison.
“Come on,” she urged. “It’s the same stuff you’ve been eating. You just don’t have to reach down for it. I got it for you.”
His lips nibbled on a few blades. Then he pulled a few free and munched on them. He must have decided that the grass was good, for he stepped closer and tore a bunch of it out of her hand.
“That’s it,” she said.
Anwen risked running her hand up his neck to his ears. He stopped eating and stiffened, but when she scratched his ears, he relaxed again. She peeked back at the trail where her horse stood patiently. Paden was nowhere to be seen.
He knew where Stardust would be, and he knew we needed some time alone! Smart guy!
Anwen decided it was time. She took the rope from her shoulder without rushing and slowly attached it to his halter. Stardust stopped eating to evaluate the weight of the rope on his halter.
He shook his head, his light gray mane falling over his head.
“Easy,” she soothed. “It’s just a rope.”
The grass fell out of his mouth. With a squeal, he reared, his front hooves reaching for the sky.
Anwen stepped back but kept a hold on the rope. He dropped to the ground but bolted away from her. She held on, keeping behind him so he would have to turn when the rope was taut.
Stardust screamed, this time in fury. He rose high in the air and struck with his hooves. He was trapped, and he was going to fight his way free.
Anwen gripped the rope with all her strength, but it stung as it slipped through her fist. Stardust shook his head violently and spun his back legs around to kick. She leaped out of the way and stumbled over a rock.
With a cry that was more of a scream, she regained her balance and shortened her hold on the rope.
“I’m not losing you again!” She pulled the rope tighter, causing Stardust to turn in a tight circle which gave her time to gain control of him again.
Quick as a flash of lightning, Stardust rose into the air and twisted away. The rope cut her while it ripped through her hands. She yelled when she felt the knot at the end of the rope.
“No!”
Stardust dropped to the ground and stared at her for a blink of an eye.
“Not again! You are not leaving me behind again!”
Anwen ran at Stardust and leaped onto his back. Taking advantage of his confusion, she tightened her hold on the rope so his head wasn’t too free and gripped tight with her knees.
Stardust snorted and jumped, landing with his front feet spread wide. She wrapped her fingers in his long mane and leaned over his neck.
We’re doing this together. You want to run. Well, you’re going to have to do that with me on your back.
The stallion reared high in the air. Anwen clung to his back until he dropped. When he realized that she was still there, he dropped his head and kicked up his heels. She pulled back on the rope, hoping to pull his head up so he couldn’t buck anymore.
Stardust stopped, squealed once again, and burst into a run.
Anwen lay low over his neck and gripped with her knees. With only one rein and an untamed stallion, this would either be the ride of her life or she would be horribly injured when she couldn’t stay on any longer.
Chapter Five
Geona’s Attempt
Geona stood in the middle of the corral. Frolic was at the other end, trying to reach some grass on the other side of the fence.
Geona adjusted the rope on her shoulder and took a deep breath. She was going to catch this horse. She just wasn’t going to rush or get upset. Papa sat on the fence again. He wasn’t saying a word, and she knew other than advice, he wouldn’t help at all. This was up to her.
She lifted up her chin. She didn’t need help. And she knew exactly how to get Frolic.
Geona ambled over to the fence close to where Frolic reached for the grass, but not so close as to spook the filly.
“Oh, you found a treat! I bet you’re missing green grass since they brought you in from the fields.”
Geona didn’t care what she said. She just wanted Frolic to know that she was caring and not a threat. Geona stretched through the fence and grabbed a handful of grass.
She offered it to the filly. “Would you like this?”
Frolic shook her head, eyeing the grass like it was candy. She reached as far as she could without moving her feet. Geona slowly leaned back so the filly couldn’t get the grass. Frolic’s lips extended and flapped in the empty air.
“If you want it, you have to come closer,” she laughed.
Frolic sighed as if she had to accomplish a huge task and took two steps to Geona.
“There you go.”
The filly pulled the grass free and chomped happily. Geona leaned through the fence a second time and got another handful.
This time she held it in her far hand so Frolic had to cross in front of her to reach it. As the filly came closer, Geona ran a hand down her neck.
“Oh, yes, you like the grass, don’t you?”
Frolic froze, waiting for the rope around her neck. Geona thought about trying to catch her but decided that it was too soon. The thought that she almost had caught Frolic made Geona want to dance with happiness, but she forced herself to be calm and go slow.
“How about some more?”
Geona leaned down and crossed in front of Frolic to reach more. Frolic jerked back a little but stood patiently waiting for Geona to serve her with grass.
This time Geona handed the filly the grass and then eased the rope off her shoulder. She placed it over the horse’s neck and slid the halter onto the filly’s head.
Frolic snorted as the rope landed on her nose and threw her head high, but Geona was waiting for that reaction. She hung on and then fastened the halter.
“There you go,” Geona said. She wanted to dance and yell at Papa of her success, but she knew that would only frighten the filly more.
Taking a firm grip on the lead rope, Geona urged her forward to where Papa had gotten off the fence and was waiting for them. His wide grin mirrored hers.
“You did great today. You did exactly what you needed and showed great ability to learn.”
“But, Papa,” Geona protested. “I just got Frolic. Now we can begin training her.”
Papa laughed. “You never want to stop, do you? Yes, this time, we can begin training her. It’s time you do more serious work around here! You shouldn’t just clean stalls anymore. I think it’s about time to ask Master Melchior if you can work in the barn as a stable hand.”
This time Geona couldn’t stop a squeal of excitement!
The Ride Continues...
Book 4
Anwen’s Race
Fiction on Fire
br /> All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2016 Vicki V. Lucas
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, posted on any website, or transmitted in any form or by any means—digital, electronic, scan, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in printed reviews and articles.
For more information, visit www.vickivlucas.com.
Chapter One
Geona’s Trial
Geona strode into the corral and caught Frolic. Fastening the halter on the filly’s head, Geona whispered to the horse.
“Be on your best behavior. If you do, I’ll be able to help you find a really good home, and maybe Master Melchior will let me work for him!”
And that way I can save my own coin to buy a horse.
But she couldn’t tell Frolic any of that. She didn’t want the filly to become jealous and act up.
She took a firm hold of the rope and led Frolic over to the fence where Papa was standing with a small pail of brushes. She took a wide brush with soft bristles and ran it down Frolic’s neck and wide back.
“Just act like everything is normal today,” Papa said. “Master Melchior is nice and will give you a fair chance. Just focus on doing a good job and forget about him.”
Geona changed sides and nodded. She was far more nervous than she thought she would be. She just wanted this so badly.
“When is he coming?”
“Any time,” Papa said. He took the soft brush, and she reached through the fence for a comb to smooth out Frolic’s mane and tail.
“She’s standing better,” she commented to take her mind off the task at hand.
“You’ve done a great job with her,” Papa said. “She’s still a handful, but she’s not bad. Just high strung.”
“It’s called the spark, Papa,” Geona scolded. “She has an extra spark of life.”
“Oh, is that what it is?” Papa teased.
Geona handed back the comb and didn’t bother to respond to him. He was only looking for a rise out of her. She turned to study Frolic. “She looks good, too.”
“Yes, she does,” Master Melchior said.
Geona jumped, causing Frolic to jerk back. She calmed the filly first, mentally slapping herself for reacting that way, and then turned to greet the owner of the horse farm.
“Good morning, Master Melchior,” she said.
“Same to you, Geona,” he said. “I hear this filly takes after her mother. High strung and difficult.”
Geona bristled. Why does everyone think this?
“All your best mares were once energetic and difficult fillies. You yourself said that high strung fillies turn into mares that produce stallions who run the fastest and try the hardest.” Geona took a deep breath to continue.
“Geona!” Papa said.
Master Melchior raised his hand. “It’s okay, Chester. She’s right. Often a horse that is difficult to handle turns out to be the best. However, in Frolic’s mother’s case, that isn’t the truth, and so far her foals haven’t done much better.”
“I find Frolic very intelligent.” Geona defended the filly. “I know her brothers and sisters were not the best, but I see Frolic thinking. She’s smart and pretty.”
Master Melchior smiled. “Well, she has certainly won your heart. Let’s pretend she’s in the sale ring. Put her through her paces. Let’s see what she can do.”
And what I can do. Geona knew that Papa and Master Melchior agreed that this be a trial run for her as well. If she could get Frolic to perform well, it would prove that she can handle horses.
Geona took a firm grip on the rope to Frolic’s halter and turned her away from the fence. They walked to the middle of the corral.
“Ok, just like we practiced,” she whispered. “This really isn’t hard at all.”
Frolic exhaled softly. Geona turned at the center and stopped. This was the first look a buyer often had of the horse. The horse had to stand perfectly still to give the people interested in her a chance to study her conformation.
Frolic hated this part. Standing still was not something she liked unless there were oats involved.
Geona refused to tense up with her worry. Any emotion like that would give Frolic a signal that something was wrong. Instead, Geona forced herself to relax her muscles and breathe normally.
Frolic danced to the side. Geona gently made her stand again in the proper place. The filly then decided to nod her head like a nasty fly was after her nose. Geona tightened her hold on the rope.
Giving those two tricks up, Frolic pawed the ground impatiently.
“Just keep going,” Papa called.
Geona tried to keep the disappointment off her face. They had failed the first task.
She tried to focus on the next step. They had to walk in a circle two times, trot three times, and then do a slow lope three times.
Frolic didn’t want to walk. She broke into a trot while walking, prancing along like a fool. When Geona tugged on the rope to get her to walk, the filly came to a complete stop with her head high like she was surprised. Then it was back to the prancing.
“What is wrong with you?” Geona hissed. “You’ve been doing this perfectly.”
Trotting and loping were a complete wreck. Instead of moving in a smooth manner to show her gaits, Frolic bounced like a child’s ball. Geona tried to keep her manner calm and act in control, but with each step, she knew she had failed.
Geona was about to demonstrate how Frolic stood while being handled. She had a headache from gritting her teeth and faking a smile, and it was about to get worse. Frolic didn’t like her feet picked up. To be fair, not many horses did. But in the filly’s current mood, she was going to fight Geona the whole time.
What a wreck! She goes through her paces just fine when it’s just Papa and me. And now this dumb horse is wrecking my chance!
She halted Frolic in the center of the ring and ran her hand down the filly’s brown shoulder.
“Geona,” Master Melchior called. “I’ve seen enough. You do not have to continue.”
Geona winced and then turned back to Papa and Master Melchior. “Yes, sir.”
“Your father can put up the filly,” Master Melchior said. “And then your father and I need to talk.”
Papa slipped through the rails and took the rope. He squeezed her shoulder. She knew he was being nice, but it made her almost cry, and that was the last thing she wanted right now.
“Go on to the house,” he said. “I’ll take care of this troublemaker.”
She nodded and slipped through the fence like he had. “Thank you for the time, Master Melchior.”
“You are welcome, my girl,” he said.
She trudged up the small hill to the house. She imagined the things Master Melchior was probably saying.
“She’s a nice girl, but she sure can’t train a horse.”
The house was empty when she got there. She flung off her boots at the door and stomped into her room. Flopping down on her bed, she fought back the tears.
On the small table next to her bed, Mama had left the parchment of her story of Anwen. There was a note next to it with Mama’s handwriting.
Does she train Stardust? Does Stardust win and save Eltiria? I have to know! Keep writing!
Geona had to smile, even though tears hovered, waiting to fall. She picked up her quill and continued the story.
Chapter Two
Anwen’s Ride
Anwen leaned over Stardust’s neck and gripped tighter with her knees. Staying on him took all her attention. There was no way right now to control him. She held the rope in her hands, but her fingers were wrapped around his mane.
Stardust leaped across the stream with a force that pushed her back. She slipped to the side, her balance thrown off. As the stallion scrambled up the hill on the other side of the stream, she pulled herself upright.
The
stallion burst into a run down the trail. Anwen fought for air while the horse tore down the trail she had just come on. She leaned as far over his neck as she could, burying her head in his mane. The trees flashed by until they blurred together.
Anwen ducked under one low hanging branch but yelped when another one cut her cheek. She let go of his mane to put her hand to her cheek. Her fingers turned sticky with warm blood.
The trail led up a steep hill. Stardust lunged up it, causing Anwen to slide down his back. She yelled and grabbed at the thick neck.
Don’t fall. Not now!
She wasn’t afraid to fall. She had fallen more times she wanted to admit. She knew how to tuck and roll and how to land on her back. She could pick herself up, wipe off the dust, and get back on.
It wasn’t that.
King Amhar said all of Eltiria’s safety and future depended on her and Stardust winning this race. If they lost, Seiten would escape his prison on Elba Isle and return to wage war against all of Adoyni’s followers. The last time such a war existed, every family was torn apart.
But that wasn’t the real reason she didn’t want to fall off.
Stardust was hers. She didn’t care if Paden’s father, Teilo, claimed ownership. She had found Stardust in the mountains and protected him from a Seeker. Stardust had greeted her when she entered his valley. It had only taken one look to know that they belonged together. Yet Stardust didn’t seem to realize this yet.
If she fell off, she would lose him forever. He would never stop running from her. This was her one chance.
“You’re not losing me!” she yelled.
With all her strength, she clung to him until every bit of her screamed with agony. Her fingers begged to be released from their flimsy hold on his mane. Her legs ached from their grasp. But she refused to let go.
Stardust tore up the hill and didn’t even slow for his descent. Anwen cried in triumph and scrambled back to her place closer to his neck. They flashed by where she had left Paden, but there was no sign of him or his horse, Aniela.
She thought it was strange, but then Stardust left the small trail that led to the stream and burst out into the valley. She leaned over his neck, not even wincing at his mane that hit her face like a whip, and let him run free without trying to control him with the lead rope.