191. Horse Whisperer.*

The horses were magnificently large and muscular and one could somehow tell, they were also wild natured.

We stood near them and waited for a short black haired girl walking towards us.

" Hello Mrs Astoria, I'm Bethenny Hender, Thomas's wife and the one responsible for these beauties. " - she said offering her hand.

" Nice to meet you Beth, please call me Lylly. "

I shook her hand remembering her from old Tor village.

" You must be good with horses being so young. " - Eli said keeping her eyes on the horses.

" The black one in the back, looks like Zephyr's but smaller..why is that? " - she asked.

She stepped up the railing and leaned over watching them.

" Leader Zephyr's horse is special, called a Destrier and for some reason she kept growing and she is incredibly smart as well. " - she said pointing at the one Eli had her eyes on. " Mustang's are new for us and they're picky about their masters. "

" Hnn sounds like we should just ...

I was about to say we don't have time to tame these beautiful horses when noticed an exquisite white one with black spots all over him. " That one in the back.."

I pointed him out. " I want that one. "

They followed my finger and Bethany walked us over to his side. " Let's try..but how much time you willing to spend on it? "

Standing so close, I was sure he was the right choice.

" We're leaving in 6 days .. you think it's possible? " - I asked.

She looked hopeful. " It depends on the horse and how well he responds, I'm not going lie, probably won't happen but you can always give it a try. "

" Hmm..okay then, what's first. By the way, Eli you still in ? " - I asked my sister.

" Absolutely sounds like a fun challenge and even if we fail there's plenty of other horses stand ready. " - she said looking back at Demelza standing near her gentle companion.

Bethany waited until we both confirmed it.

" Very well first horses. So what does the process involve?

The first couple of hours is spent establishing some initial trust and respect between the horse and the rider." - she started signalling some man to come closer. " ..that will be done one on one. "

" Elanor you picked one? " - she asked Eli.

" That red one over there, she looks adorable. " - she pointed at the far right.

" She is a Sorrel. Red body, manes and tail. Alright then the boys will separate them and in the taming process, the handler meaning you.. " - she begin to explain the first step. "..needs to establish their own sense of dominance and leadership in order for the horse to submit and begin to obey commands. "

Sounded complex work but we waited for her to continue.

" They been spending the last few days with tamed horses so now they better prepared, you want to walk and feed them carrots or treats will show the wild horse that there is nothing to fear. The tamer of horses should pat them, with the use of a soft voice and warm tone...and that's the first steps. Ready? "

We were far from ready, but it was no turning back.

"" Ready. ""

——

4 hours later we're both heading home for some lunch and suffering, Demelza stories.

" After we spent some time together me and Starflower are practically best friends did you guys saw that right? " - she asked us.

" Sure did Dem. " - I said

" Fantastic chemistry.. " - said Eli.

Needless to say our efforts meant very little to the two, still nameless and unfriendly horses.

" Opps..sorry about that. " - she noticed how dejected we were and apologised. "..why not just pick one that is more..friendly, you know? "

I barely listened to Eli trying to defend our decision.

It was hard to tame a horses. He ate the treats from my hands and I've been doing my best to be calm and gentle spoken as possible but, to no avail.

He was cold and distant we were encouraged by Bethany who turned out to be a super insightful person on the subject and told us to come back later this afternoon and keep on trying.

" ..I think the name Flame is better but I could see her called Shadow as well. "

I heard Eli ramble beside me.

" I'm going to aks Lucian for his horses name and then see. " - she said undecided.

Inside the house was suspiciously empty and we found most of the family outside admiring the two ponies Anna and Ciren brought home while some man already working on their own little stable behind our house

" If it ain't the horse whispers..aww come here you. " - Zephyr said and opened his arms.

I rested on his chest and unloaded my frustration.

" I found the perfect horse and he is indifferent, yours acting like a queen from what I been seeing and why are you allowed the stables to be built in our back yard? " - I asked looking at newly and quickly put together stables behind him.

" Fenex? She is amazing..a truly special bond. " - he said in a teasing tone. " I didn't allow anything, apparently her mother paid no attention and was lost feeding a bucket of carrot to some wild horse.. so she needed compensation. "

" I was .. I guess did got a little lost there...

" No, no..I wasn't done.." - he cut me off and caught Eleanor as well before she could make her way towards the family. " I told you about the horses..so, I guess it's partially my fault but all the same..you said you're going to PICK one not TAME one..or I'm remembering this wrong? "

We didn't answer since it was rhetorical anyway.

" .. Don't worry. " - he tousled our hair a little all condescending and superior. " ..I'm sure you two won't regret this and tame those wild animals .. I might as well tame a bear for myself in the meantime. "

The boys snickered behind him overhearing his sarcastic remarks.

He didn't wait and turned around.

" Now if the two of you have some time join the family and help Anna naming that little guy before we end up with a Sir Horse or some other nonsense. " - he said over his shoulder.

" Dad! "

" I'm joking princess..IwishIwasjoking. "

We followed in silence after being shamed for .. another hasty decision.