SWNOVELS Chapter A Choice
Later that day I grabbed my two water canteens, a small lunch, and Destiny. I couldn’t very well leave her behind, although I was fairly sure no one would steal her. But I didn’t want to take that chance.
So I began the walk to the town, with Destiny trailing behind me. She seemed like a fairly complacent mare, but I’d only had her a couple of hours. Her markings were very unique.
We strolled along quietly, enjoying the sunshine and the perfect temperature. Life is good, I thought. Then I heard hoof beats behind me.
It was Mr. Blair trotting along the road. Once again I marveled at how he managed to sit so still in the saddle. His stallion was quite proud to bear him.
“Morning Miss Backwood,” he called out.
“Morning Mr. Blair,” I replied. He slowed down to walk beside us. “I see you got the mare you wanted.”
I nodded. “Yes, I did, though just barely. Another lady came up to claim her just as I was about to take the halter for her. A Nadia Veldworth, I think.” My nose wrinkled. “Tried to bribe the man at the station, but he was honest.”
Mr. Blair raised an eyebrow at the name I’d mentioned, but didn’t inquire. “What have you named her?” he asked.
“I named her Destiny,” I said, stroking the mare’s neck as we walked. “So far she’s been a lovely mare.” I looked up at him. “Are you giving a clinic today?”
He smiled slightly. “Yes, I am.”
My face split with a grin. “What time?”
“11:30,” he replied quietly. Then he straightened. “Excuse me, Miss Backwood, I must be going now. Good-bye.”
“Oh please, don’t call me Miss Backwood,” I protested. “Call me Iris. Miss Backwood seems too stuffy.”
He chuckled. “Alright then. Good-bye Iris.” With that he asked his horse to start trotting, so subtly I almost didn’t notice it. “Good-bye Mr. Blair,” I said.
I was excited but also worried. I had wanted to attend a clinic taught by Mr. Bellton. He had won the title of Horseman two years back, and had since gone on to become a famous trainer. I was torn between going to Mr. Bellton’s clinic or Mr. Blair’s.
The town was crowded with people and horses. Most were of course on their way to clinics, like I was. The hitching rails and posts were full, I had a hard time finding a spot to tie Destiny.
But I found it and tied her to it. “You be good now, here?” I murmured as I tied the lead rope. “I don’t need you starting trouble.” I didn’t want to leave her, but I couldn’t very well bring her with me to the well.
Water sloshed in my canteens as I made my way back to Destiny. For a moment I was afraid I had lost her. But then her distinct chestnut and white rump came into my viewpoint. I sighed with relief and walked up to her.
The gelding tied next to her was trying to reach over and sniff her. She pinned her ears back, giving him that mare stare. “Hey now, don’t you bite him,” I said as I hastily untied her and led her away.
There were four clinics being hosted. There was Mr. Blair, and two others that dealt with groundwork. Groundwork is fine, but I could already tell Destiny knew her manners pretty well.The last one was being taught by a Mr. Bellton.
I wasn't sure I could decide between Mr. Blair and Mr. Bellton. Both were supposedly great horsemen, I wanted to learn from both of them. I clenched my fists around Destiny's lead rope.
Just then I heard a voice call out. “Iris! Iris!”
I turned to see Lillian threading her way through the crowd towards me. I waved to her. “Lillian!”
She caught up to me, her face a bit red from the heat and effort. “This your horse?” she asked, eyeing Destiny.
“Yes, this is Destiny, number 192,” I replied. “What horse did you get?”
“I got a gorgeous piebald gelding, number 117, and named him Checkmate, after the game of chess. Are you attending a clinic?”
I chuckled. “Wow, neat name. Yeah, I’m going to attend a clinic but I haven’t decided which one. I want to attend Mr. Blair’s, but Mr. Bellton’s is scheduled at about the same time. His starts at 11:15, Mr. Blair’s at 11:30.”
Lillian nodded. "Wow, tough choice but I've made mine. I'm going to Mr. Bellton's. Mr. Blair is nice, but he's a bit old fashioned. I want more new and modern techniques."
I raised an eyebrow. I knew Mr. Blair was old but I didn't think he was old fashioned. "You think he's old fashioned?"
"Well, he did win a long time ago, and Mr. Bellton won it two years back," she replied. "That's my reasoning, anyway. You said Mr. Blair's starts at 11:30. Why don't you come to Mr. Bellton's and watch the start of his clinic? If you like it, you can stay, if you don't you can leave."
I thought about this. It seemed reasonable, logical. I nodded. "Alright, I'll come."
A few minutes later I was perched on top of a fence, holding Destiny's lead rope. I wasn't the only one doing this. The poor fence must really have been taking a strain with all the people on it!
Beside me Lillian sat, with Checkmate's lead rope in hand. She seemed about to pop. "I'm so excited," she whispered to me. I nodded. "Yeah-"
Before I had the chance to say anything else Mr. Bellton walked into the center of the pen, a chestnut horse saddled and bridled trailing behind him. All murmuring instantly ceased.
"Welcome to my clinic," boomed Mr. Bellton. "Are you guys ready to learn?"
"Yes!" came the chorus from the fence. Mr. Bellton smiled. "Good! Before we start allow me to introduce the horse I'm going to be using today. This is Russel, and I'm going to be using him to demonstrate to you a few of my techniques."
With that the clinic began.