Post by Kenren on Sept 12, 2013 13:50:05 GMT -5
The Guard and the Princess
Almost every member of the Valkyrie staff was on hand as the trailer pulled up, returning from its trip to Witch Creek. Mae stood with her boys, one hand on ten-year-old Ronan's shoulder and the other on nine-year-old Kailin's, mostly to keep them from running around - the boys liked horses, but they weren't very safe around them yet. They didn't understand the concept of millions of dollars of horseflesh quite yet, but they had wanted to come out and see the new arrivals nonetheless. Mae's brother, Tigris, was standing close, next to Mae's sister-in-law, Halexia. The two were about the same age, and both acted as exercise riders on the farm. The third exercise rider was climbing out of the truck, his father doing the same. Cole Mavecci was the head trainer at Valkyrie, and Minske acted both as his assistance and as an exercise rider, doing most of his training work with the young horses while Cole concentrated on the racing animals.
"Are they as gorgeous as they look on TV?" Halexia asked, seeming about ready to jump into the trailer to get a peek. Cole laughed, undoing the latches on the back of the trailer. "Wait another thirty seconds and you'll see, impatience." Hal wasn't deterred, moving around so she'd be able to see first, fairly bouncing on her toes. Tigris rolled his eyes, but moved to stand beside her, curious in spite of himself.
Valkyrie had been given a tremendous gift by Witch Creek Stables. Ripley Marsh had extended them the offer of two tremendous horses - the three-year-old dirt router, Van Guard, who had won his last three races, and the turf miler superstar Flawed Princess, who seemed an unstoppable force in this, her last year of racing. They were shining gold amongst horses that were only beginning to prove themselves, and Mae hoped beyond hope that these horses would be the future of Valkyrie Stables.
Van Guard came out first, led by Cole. The huge bay colt threw his head up, ears pressed forward as he pranced down the ramp, edging sideways once he was on the ground. He seemed light on his feet despite the thick padding wrapping his legs, and not at all put off by his new surroundings, though he was interested in them. He looked every bit a potential champion, muscles rippling beneath his pretty bay coat. From somewhere in the barn, a whinny trumpeted out - Van Guard almost immediately responded, tossing his head and prancing all the more. "He is beautiful," Hal sighed happily, watching him walk down the path to the barn. "I call dibs on him. I will fight every single one of you." And she was serious, of course - somehow the two boys knew she'd find a way to win, too.
Just then, Minske led Flawed Princess, or Amira, as she was called, down the ramp of the trailer. The mare's every movement was one of grace, strength and pride exuding from every pore. She, too, lifted her head to check out her surroundings, but it was a polite and dignified movement, standing neatly on her lead. She wasn't as tall as some, but she was muscled heavily, easily showing how she kept up with the boys. Her head was still feminine, spotted stripe splitting her face neatly, and her eyes were large and dark. She stood nicely enough for Minske to rub her neck, even leaning into the touch. She was obviously more mare than filly, but there was a look in her eye that showed how she had become a champion in her older age - like she'd had it with finishing last, and she would turn every last one of those challengers away.
Mae could only hope that the horses would continue to excel under the guidance of her staff. She had every confidence in them, and the horses were already proven - she was excited for the future.