Chapter Seven
AWAYPhoenix lunged Mikaere in a tight circle, pushing him from walk to trot and back again. He tolerated the indignity, first with feigned irritation and then indifference. When Phoenix released the pressure of the rope clipped to his nose band, he slowed and then halted. He turned his body to face her, his head drooped in relaxation and he gave a slow blink. “Right then,” Phoenix sighed. She approached him with confidence, allowing him to view her through the brown eye on his left. She patted his neck and then switched sides, seeing his opposing blue eye give a slow blink. “Always greet both sides of a horse’s brain,” she recited out loud, hearing her father’s advice running on a loop in her head. Mikaere snorted and shook his mane as though agreeing. Phoenix had assessed h
