The Phantom's Daughter

Chapter Sixteen

Of course I knocked down Rita to go over and try to impress Maggie, why was she looking at me like I was a traitor? I was a stallion, if there was a chance that I could make a move on that little white mare, then I would. What self-respecting stud wouldn’t? If I had to get rejected a thousand times by her before she would finally let me mount her, then so be it. But I think she was being too silly. What beautiful little babies she would have from me, strong, tall, and smart. And what a wonderful temperament she had too. Commanding and fearless, just like my own mother was.

But she was not having it today.

“I could clear the fence and come to you!” I told Maggie. “I am strong and capable now.”

“You fool! You’ve nearly hurt that little girl!”

“Oh I made sure to be careful not to step on her! After all, who would bring me my hay and oats and keep me company during the day, and brush my coat? I like her well enough, she’s my little friend from that devil’s farm. But it’s you I want right now.” I pranced tall and proud along the fence line so she could see my moves and be wooed by me. But the little mare was not having it, opening her mouth wide to me and lashing out.

This got me frustrated. Rita was trying to work with me, and then that man in black is coming out to tell her how to handle me too! Well I would not have it!

“Hey!” Rita called, standing up.

Since Maggie was not responding to my advances, I decided to amuse Rita some more, so I went to her with my head bent down to her. She would feed me and praise me and brush my coat, talking sweet to me and it would be an enjoyable afternoon.

The little thing clipped a longer rope on my halter though. I tossed my head up high, positioning my body to run from her. I was certainly not going to work for her! I loved the fact that she took care of me—of course we were friends, whom I would certainly defend when Llyod came around to harass us both, but I was stallion meant to be wild and take care of mares, not be in the service of a little girl like some pony.

“Get his attention, and before he starts thinking again, make him mind you. Don’t be mean to him, but let him know that you mean business.” the man in black told her. I pinned my ears at him. Who was he to boss us around? I’d show him. I made it as if to charge, when suddenly, Rita popped my lead and called me to attention.

I jerked my head and looked at her. That felt uncomfortable! I certainly wasn’t going to put up with this! I stepped away from the lead until it was almost taunt between us. I was about to jerk my head back, pulling her off her feet, when that stupid man in black told Rita to keep her command and tell me to go.

She raised her other hand, holding the end of the rope that flicked out to my hind quarters. It was a long way to my body, but I felt the sense of pressure anyways that made my skin twitch and an instinctual sensation to move forward, away from this non-physical pressure. I walked a few steps, going half forward, half sideways.

“Keep at him until he goes forward! Stand your ground firmly, do NOT let him take you down again—show him that you are strong and able to take him on!” the man in black encouraged.

Oh how I hated him. And he was going to know it too. This little thing at the end of the rope would not match my strength, and I was going to pull her off her feet and show that man in black that I meant business! I pulled towards him, ears pinned, but he stared me down like a predator, fierce and unmoving. HOW DARE HE!!! Meanwhile Rita had dug her heels to the ground, commanding me to go forward. The pressure near my rear end made me twitch to obey and Maggie was whinnying out to me to listen and work with my little girl instead of fighting with her. How dare she!!! How dare them all!!!

I pulled, Rita took a step forward to gather more rope and flicked it towards me, while the man in black jumped forward, swinging his cape making me jump. If they want me to go forward than I’ll go forward then! I hopped into a fast canter. This paddock wasn’t big enough to do a full on gallop, so I cantered hard mad and blowing and shaking my head. See??? I can go forward! See me go forward! I’ll show you forward! How do you like that Rita?

Rita liked it just fine and praised me, letting up on the lead a little, the other end flopping against her as she held me in place. The man in black praised her.

Good. Now they’ve seen me go forward, I’ve done what they asked. I slowed to a trot, snorting and shaking my head.

“Make him keep going! If he wants to run, keep him running until he’s ready to listen to you!” the man in black called out. Rita immediately flicked the end of the rope at me again, making the chill in my rear go up again, pushing me forward. I pinned my ears and moved to a canter again. Fine! If they want me to run, I’ll run for them!

“Get after him again! Show him that you are telling him to go, not him! You’re not being mean to him, you're schooling him to listen to your cues!” guided the man in black. I pinned my ears at him and opened my mouth at him. How dare he tell her to tell me what to do! I was responded with a jerk of my halter to get my head back and a flick of the rope. I jumped and kicked my feet in the air of frustration. This was turning into work!

“Very good Sweet Demon! Very good!” both Rita and Maggie praised as I cantered. I snorted in reply. Round and round the pen we went. I cantered and cantered for Rita to show her that I could. Of course I was a strong and endurance-able horse, but this concentrated work was starting to feel in my legs and back. I was getting tired.

I went to slow down.

Rita flicked the rope and called sternly to go forward.

I pinned my ears and kept going.

The man in black praised her.

I wished nothing more to bite him. Perhaps I could charge at Rita to show her that she can’t keep me on like this. That would really show her.

But before I could, she wiggled and tugged on the lead and told me to whoa.

Whoa! What? I slowed to a high stepping trot, and then to a walk, and then down to a stop. I turned my body to look at her.

That was it? She wasn’t going to make me run until I dropped? No threat of the whip? No screaming and chasing? Just a clean, short work out?

Now she had my attention. Okay Rita, I will listen to you. Let us work together.

I lowered my head and walked towards her. She stood there beaming, and the man in black nodded approvingly.

“Very good, child. Has he been worked before? Before he came here, do you know?” the man in black asked.

“Not really. Monsieur Meshaw would mainly just run them around with a whip and scream at them. Sometimes he’d beat them if he caught one in a corner to make them submit to him. But other than that, they just ran wild in the pasture until they were sold.” Rita answered. “He used to always tell the buyers that they’re spirited and that proved that they were well-bred. He said they used to be war horses.”

“Well he was right about the latter, that they were used as war horses. But the rest of that is despicable. Look how well you got him to listen and be well mannered to you. And all you had to do was be firm with him and give him something to focus his energy on. He’ll be a fine steed for you Rita.” the man in black replied.

“Why are you helping me?” Rita snapped at him. I twisted an ear to him. Who could blame her? This stranger hidden in a cloak was very demanding. What business did he have of my girl?

The man didn’t answer right away, supposedly stumped. “I need someone to keep on the care of my horse Reyer…over in the back part of the stables that are unused and abandoned. Think you could do that?” he spoke quickly and harshly.

“What a trio you all make; all guarded with hardened hearts.” commented Maggie.

“Sure.” Rita responded quickly, not looking at him. She turned to see him walk off. “I have some more information I got, while passing through the Opera today!” she called out.

The man in black stopped and turned his head to her. “You’re welcome in the first and second level of the Opera cellars then. The third will be a neutral zone. And the bottom two are of course for me. I’ll expect that information and whatever you have tonight. Send it by post and give it to Madeleine.” he replied in a very business-like manner, but Rita gave a hint of a smile.

So! She was working for him! I thought she had a little more color in her cheeks these past few days and had more energy; he was feeding and sheltering her! But I couldn’t really blame her.