A Home That Far

A Home That Far
Chapter 4 Race Against the Best

Duncan had taken to putting Kale in a paddock. He'd had men work all week long raising the rails to be sure she couldn't jump out. Each day he'd take her down to the field and turn her loos, then another horse would be brought down all saddled, and Duncan would ride the gelding around the paddock to keep up with his white mare.

He found she seemed more at ease with the gelding, and often relished the burly horse's company. The trio were in the paddock, as Duncan was stroking Kale's back, supposedly getting her use to contact, getting her ready for a saddle, when she turned her attention down the dirt path that ran around the castle. From over the rise, a cinnamon streak ran by. Duncan whistled low. "He's at it again," he said. Kale looked at him. Duncan smiled. "Don't worry. You wont be running against him. He's the fastest horse in the Kingdom. He's here for the King's fair. Though I wish he'd not run that horse around the castle." Kale bolted, heading straight for the fence where it ran along side the path the racer was running. Duncan pushed his older horse as fast as he could go to catch up, but the younger pair were quickly out of his reach. "Lightning! What are you doing!?"

She loved to run in this form, and there wasn't a horse alive on Earth that could keep up with her. She relished the feel of the wind along her back, the feel of the ground beneath her feet as she stretched that little bit further. The rider of the racer glanced over as he saw the white horse come alongside. He flicked the whip to his horse's haunches, gaining a snort and a moment of speed.

Kale kept up, she even would have passed him, if the fence hadn't been there. She slid to an unwelcome stop, rearing at the obstacle. If it were only just a bit lower, she would have cleared it. The racer disappeared around the palwallwall, and Duncan brought the gelding to stop near her. "That was incredible Lightning," he said, sure that she understood him. "But enough is enough for today. We've more ting ing to do tomorrow, and its time to go in." She noticed the barn hands leading other horses from the nearby paddocks, all the pens were much smaller than hers. It was then she thought that Duncan must have pulled some pretty big stings to get a space this big just for her. The big man clipped her lead to her halter, and led her away.

In the courtyard of the barn the racehorse stood, he was cooled by the time Kale arrived with Duncan, and was being hosed down with warm water. She gave an excited whinny to the racer, hoping that the horse understood that she enjoyed her run with him. He understood all right, he snorted back at her, and turned his rump to her, lifting his tail and promptly dropping...well, it was disgusting to say the least. Duncan had handed her lead to the boy with scaled skin, while he climbed off the gelding. She quickly flipped her line from his hands and trotted over to the insulting racer.

Duncan quickly grabbed her line before she could reach him, and pulled her back beside the gelding. "Keep that heap of rubbish from my horse!" came a gruff voice. Both Duncan and Kale turned their heads. A strange looking creature that looked like a gargoyle, strode from the barn.

"My apologies," Duncan began, "She must be approaching a season...I'll keep a better hold on her."

"You'll do better than that, Man-at-Arms. I saw that stunt you pulled out there. You think this mongrel bred fleabag stands a chance against seven generations of selective breading? You really must be delusional."

"I assure you, what happened outside, wasn't..."

"Enough of your excuses. Keep the herd horse away!" Kale made a grab for his stabbing finger, but Duncan kept his hand over her muzzle. The stranger walked away to inspect his horse, pushing the scaled boy to one side as he finished cleaning up the Stallion's droppings.

Kale nickered softly, and pressed her muzzle to the boy as he passed. Surprised that she'd done it the boy jumped, but smiled when she reached for him again. "I think she's warming up to me, sir."

"Yes, she is. Though I don't think she will to the Silean."

"No one is too happy with him. He's demanded Lightning's stall for his horse. Says he needs privacy to rest."

"You made other arrangements for him I hope?"

"Well..." the boy looked to the barn as King Randor made his appearance. "I think he's looking for you."

"Duncan, can we talk?"

Duncan sighed and scratched behind Kale's ears. "He wants Lightning's stall?"

"Yes, and he wont take no for an answer. It's only for a few days. Would you mind?"

"I'm sure we can manage for a few days."

"The only stall we have for her is over in the medical barn. There's no sick animals, and she'll have total privacy."

"I think that will be fine. With your permission my King, if she's going to be stabled there, I'd like to stay in the quarters above, just in case."

"Of course. I'll have the bedding turned down."

"Thank you."

"How is her training?"

"Fairly well, though I've not done anything substantial. She's at least use to people now. She's not trying to run them down anymore. But I'm sure that she wants to jump the fence in the breeder's paddock."

"I'm sure she does. She shows a bit of spirit don't you think?"

"Oh more than a bit."

"Have you given any thought to breading her?" Kale reared high at those words. There was no way she'd let that happen. Both Duncan and Randor kept her from breaking free of the line, and quickly led her away.

Safely in the stall in a distant barn, Duncan turned to his friend and king. "I think that says it all, your highness. She backs away from mares with foals, and completely avoids the mares that have yet to give birth. I'd hate to think what she'd do to a stallion if she ever got loose with one."

"I see. It's a shame really. Foals by Tyrin would look beautiful coming from her."

"I agree. But old Byron's line will have to continue with another mare." Duncan left the lead line hanging on a hook outside the stall, and closed the door to the barn as he left.

Kale looked around for another exit, but didn't find any. She heard footsteps above, and then saw people, house servants, coming down the stairs, leaving through the same door, securing it as they left. Kale bent her nose to the straw at her feet. There was an odd smell here. The scent of many horses, and people. A very old scent of Duncan. She burrowed her nose into the straw, searching the source. Though the stall had been thoroughly cleaned, smells remained for some time. And one smell she recognised. The old smell of death. She wondered if any of her people were alive. If they were, were they even looking for her?

Duncan sat next to Teela at the King's table. To Teela's left sat her therapist. Her recovery complete, and her leg back to normal, his services were no longer needed, but Teela insisted that he stay for the fair, and watched with fatherly concern as a young man eyed his little girl. The two laughed abut something, but he didn't hear. It wasn't till he heard the Selian insult his horse again that he turned his attention to any conversations. "...that white feral you've got is a menace," he'd said. "Better to put her down now, than risk your people's safety."

"That white horse is mine, Duke Regala. You'd do well to remember whose table you sit at. The King himself is partial to that white mare."

"I hear she attacks stallions," the man laughed. "What do you intend to do with her? She's obviously no good for breeding."

"Not all horses are slated for reproduction Regala," Randor interrupted, before Duncan could get himself into trouble. "I had considered requesting you to breed your stallion to one of my mares, but the vet's report I received stated that he was sterile. What do you intend to do with him once his running days are over."

The Selian twitched his wings in annoyance. "There are more than the conventional breeding methods to produce a top quality race horse. I just hope the competition is half as good as my horse."

"Perhaps," Marlaina interjected, "this discussion could be saved for another time."

"Yes, my queen," Duncan agreed. "You're right. The race is only three days away, you'll have plenty of time to gauge your horse's competition. Once they arrive, I doubt you'd even notice Lightning. If you'll excuse me, one of the barn hands is beckoning me from the corridor. I should go." There wasn't really anyone there, he just wanted to get away, before he threw a plate of food at the visitor. Politics being so touchy with the Selians, he didn't want to risk things getting further strained for the King. After all Regala, was the Selian King's half brother. Emphasis on the half.

Duncan returned to the Medical barn and was greeted eagerly by a white horse, bobbing her head over the stall door. He was sure she'd try to get out of the stall, since there were no bars, or panels to keep her in. He stood in front of her, patting her neck and muzzle, absently he turned and leaned on the door. Kale put her head over his shoulder, and gave him an affectionate squeeze. She was glad to be out of the other barn. She could finally sleep in peace here. Duncan patted her face, smoothing out her forelock between her bright green eyes. "You're faster than that other horse aren't you?" he asked absently.

'Of course I am,' she retorted.

"Too bad you're not ready to be ridded yet. I'd find you a jockey and put you in that race, just to see the look on Regala's face when he loses." Kale tossed her head. He'd put her in a race? Where she could run? OH YEAH!! She kicked the back of the door, tossing her head over his, knocking off his helmet. It rolled across the hall, and when Duncan bent to pick it up, Kale reached over and lifted the latch on the door. He left his head ware where it lay, grabbing for her halter. He hadn't closed the door, and she'd surely make a break for it.

But she didn't move. She didn't fight him, she even gave in to some of his tugs on the leather. Then she did something he never thought she'd do. She kneeled her front legs to the floor, lowering her back to him. Duncan was shocked. He'd never taught her that. He let go of her halter, the lead line securely on its ring. Kale threw her head back, beckoning him to climb on her back. "You can't be serious?" he asked with a laugh. Kale threw her head back again. Duncan nodded, and eased his form over her back.

She didn't move. Carefully he brought his right leg over, she didn't move. He let his full weight gradually down on her back, feeling this, she rose off her knees. He grabbed a handful of mane to keep his position, as she stood tall in the barn, Duncan firmly on her back. "I don't believe this," he whispered.

'Believe it bub, I wana race!'

Duncan entered the tack room early the next morning. There he found the young scaled boy cleaning saddles, just the fellow he wanted to see. "I've a special task for you over the next few days," he said confidently. "You think the barn can do without you for a while?"

The boy looked around then pointed to himself. "You talking to me, sir?" Duncan nodded. "Yes sir. I mean...I will do my best."

"Good. Grab the lightest saddle and bridle you can find, and come to the medical barn. We've got work to do."

"Yes sir!"

About an hour later, the boy confidently strode into the barn carrying a light contact saddle, and bridle. He also brought his grooming kit, and a saddle blanket, and placed them on their stands against the wall. "So what do we do first?" he asked. "Come over here." Duncan lifted the boy to the mare's back and gently set him astride her. The boy tensed, but the mare didn't move. "You think he'll do Lightning?" Kale bobbed her head. She would have agreed to anything, as long as she got on that track with that pompous stallion.

"How did you...?" "I'm not sure," Duncan answered. "But you're her jockey. You cide ide can't you?"

"Yes sir. But jockey? Surely you can't mean the race?" Kale threw her head up, breathing heavily with excitement.

"There's your answer. Now here's the deal. You don't tell a soul. I have till the day before the race to register Lightning as the dark horse runner. You'll only have two days to get to know her, and how fast she runs. And believe me, she can travel."

"Yes sir. Not a word. Two days, and she runs fast. Got it."

"You'll also be sleeping here, so she can get use to your smell. I'm sure that's what's been putting her off you. Not that you smell or anything, but..." he gestured to the boy's scaly skin.

"Yes. I know."

"Ok, lets get to work. I have to go to the other barn and get the gelding. You think you can saddle her up?"

"No sir. I can't reach. Besides, she's more use to you doing things like that. Why don't I go get the gelding, and meet you outside? People will think you're advancing her training then, and you need me to handle the gelding."

Duncan looked the boy up and down. "Alright." He took the boy off, and set him on the ground in front of the mare. Kale pressed her nose to the boy's chest, and inhaled deeply. The smell was still odd. But she could get use to it. "Off you go. And don't take too long."

"Yes sir."

Over the course of the two days, Duncan took the boy double with him on the gelding to the forest outside the castle. Normally Kale would have balked at the first opportunity to get away, but she wanted to race, more than anything. Besides, the run through the bridle path in the woods would give her a chance to choose where she'd run off to, and where the safest place would be to shake off the boy.

Duncan rode the path with them, to make sure the mare wouldn't spook. Then told the boy to take her around slowly on his own, to give her the chance to acknowledge his guidance. Twice around like that, and she was practically ready to run right out of her skin. She waited anxiously next to Duncan, as he readied his time keeper, and consulted some information he'd brought with him. "The Selian's horse's best time on a mile run, is 3 minutes, 39 seconds. We'll start off a bit slow, but if you feel her want to take off, let her, but don't let her get too out of control."

"You're telling me this now? She's going to take off weather I want her to or not! You should feel her sides. Sir, she's too hyper for this. I don't think its such a good idea."

"We'll try it once, then let her rest. We'll try again, and see if she's just excited over the other horses. Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

"GO!" Kale kicked up more dirt on that track than any other horse. She loved her flying starts. As she raced through the trees, she remembered how she'd goad the horses at the mansion into a race, running them around the field. It was good exercise for them, and she loved to do it. Suddenly there was a sharp pain in her mouth. The boy was pulling on the bit. Why? She didn't want to slow down. She wanted to run. "Lighting!" Then she understood why the boy was pulling, she'd passed Duncan.

The boy panted in relief as she turned and trotted back to him. "Can I go back and get my stomach?" he asked. "I think I left it on the last turn."

"She holds well to the turns?"

"'Holds well'? Sir, she practically lost me on one of them. I don't know where the wranglers caught her, but she's been raced before. There's no way that she should even be like this. She should still be fighting the saddle and the bit. If you ask me, I think she was stolen."

"I doubt that. There was no bracelet. Maybe she was just bought 'cause the last owners couldn't handle her."

"Maybe, but she's ready to run. What was her time?"

"You don't want to know."

"Yes I do." Duncan held up the timekeeper for the boy to see. She could feel his smile right through the reins. "You've got to be kidding!"

"Nope," Duncan said proudly.

"If she keeps that time, she'll leave all the horses in the dust!"

"I know. Walk her out, we'll run her a couple more times before lunch." The boy nodded and walked the mare down the track and back up.

The day before the race, Duncan casually walked into the race official's registration office. He filled out a piece of paper, left a few coins on the counter, and left.

The man took the paper, deposited the money, and stamped the sheet. White Lightning was officially in the race.

The next morning was chilly, the temperature had dropped below ten degrees. Kale could almost see her breath as she woke in the predawn hours. She pulled herself to her feet, and looked over the stall door. Her jockey was sleeping on a cot, right beside the stall door, his arm dangling of the edge, his scaled lips gently flapping as he breathed. Above her head she could hear snoring, and knew that Duncan too was still asleep. 'Lazy,' she thought, and neighed as loud as she could to wake them. 'Wake up!!!! Its race day!!!!'

The boy flopped on the cot, and the thing fell out from under him. She could hear Duncan fumbling around upstairs, as he made his way down, hoping that everything was alright. He noted the boy on the floor, untangling his covers from his body, Duncan pulled his housecoat on tighter, as he checked the door, and found it still secure. "What happened?" the boy asked.

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Did you hear anything?"

"Besides the loud horse call? No"

"She must be excited." Kale threw her head back and forth.

"You think?"

"We'll give her a good breakfast, then take her for a nice walk to loosen her up. I don't want anything to go wrong today."

"Yes sir."

Breakfast eaten, and the gelding saddled, the two made their way around the large paddock outside. The boy chanced a pat on the mare's back, feeling this, she stepped closer, and the boy hoped on. She wanted to run, but there was no way he'd stay on. He was barely able to stay seated WITH a saddle, let alone without one. She felt him hold some of her white mane, and she eased her pace next to the gelding. "Your parents coming to the fair?" Duncan asked.

"No sir. My mother is dead, I never knew my father."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was a long time ago. King Randor was kind enough to bring me in as his barn hand. He said he'd provide me every opportunity for my education. Though I must admit, I never expected this."

"What do you want to do when you grow up? Become a Master?"

"Oh no. I've no stomach for fighting. I'd rather help animals. That's why I work with the horses, and all the other animals all the time."

"I'm sure you'll make a fine keeper one day."

"I hope so. So far, I've not had much training. The lead barn manager doesn't believe a half breed like me can grasp the knowledge."

"That isn't right," Duncan echoed Kale's own thoughts. She never suspected the boy was a mix. She thought him just another mutant. Though with a rather pungent odder. "I'll talk to him when we get back."

"Oh no sir. Please. I'd rather things stay the way they are for now. Just till the end of the race anyway."

"You sure?"

"Yes. At least if we win, I'll have them look at me a little differently. Maybe then things will change."

"What do you mean IF you win? But things wont change just because of a race."

"Oh I don't expect that. I just want them to pay attention to me. If figure if they see me ride the most vicious horse in the king's stable to the finish line, they'll want to listen to how I managed it. That's how I intend to change things."

"Ok. If you say so."

The race wasn't till the afternoon, and it seemed to take forever to arrive. Finally Duncan entered the barn with a piece of paper, and pinned the paper to the boy's shirt. "Number thirteen," he said. "Some believe it not to be a lucky number."

"Lightning will make it lucky sir. You'll see. She won't let you down."

"I know. She's got her heart set on this race. I just hope she knows what she's doing."

"She'll be racing against the best. If she's ever raced before, people will recognize her. Perhaps this is the day for the dark horse."

"We'll see. You ready?"

"All I need is a boost." Before Duncan could raise the boy to the saddle, Kale kneeled down once more, beckoning the boy to climb on. The boy carefully climbed over the saddle, and held on as she took to her feet once more.

She was all decked out. She had everything, accept shoes. They'd been so busy getting her ready for the race, they never thought about her shoes. Kale didn't mind. She wasn't sure how she'd react to horseshoes being nailed to her feet. After all, she'd transform eventually, she had to. How could she explain the odd metal pieces, hanging from he finger and toenails?

Duncan lead the mare to the track, along side the gelding. What people remained on the castle grounds admired the mare for making such grand progress in her training. They walked down the road to the nearby village, then through the centre of town. People watched as the mare strode by, her gleaming white coat, bright against her bay companion. Duncan greeted the officials at the track entrance, and guided his horse inside. Behind the stands the other horses gathered, their jockeys having a hard time keeping them under control, some even unable to get on their backs at all.

Duke Regala noticed the white horse and made his way to where they stood. "Don't tell me that King Randor is going to embarrass himself by letting this untrained, unconditd mod mongrel run in the race?"

"King Randor has nothing to do with this," Duncan stated. "I decided to enter her. You just watch her run."

"Horses! To your marks!" came the announcement.

Duncan gave Kale's neck a confident pat. "Be careful," he said to the boy. "You sense she's not ready, you pull her out, you got it?"

"Pull her out? Are you crazy?! She wont let me!"

"Ok. This is her race, time for both of you to shine. Go get 'em." The boy gulped, and gently tugged the reins to his right, guiding the horse to the starters line.

Duncan gave his mount to one of the hands, and made his way to the stands of cheering people. He wanted to stay clear of those who knew Lightning was his horse, at least till the race was underway.

The boy turned the mare to the starting line, a string across the track, and waited. The other horses, advanced on the line, then backed away. Kale stood perfectly still. The Selian's Jockey pulled his horse next to Kale, bumping them purposely to get the horse riled. "Give it up half breed," the jockey mocked. "That nag will never make it passed the first marker."

The boy straightened her dislodged mane, and whispered to her ear. "Don't listen to him. He's full of droppings anyway." Kale neighed slightly in agreement.

"Rider's UP!" The reins came taught, and the boy grabbed a fist full of hair. "Riders, SET!!" A moment later a loud bank went off, and the line disappeared. Kale took off, though she wasn't fast off her mark as she had been before. She didn't like that. The Selian was already too faead ead of her.

"Pace yourself girl, this is a 4 mile run!" Hearing this, she eased her stride, content to stay nearest the first three horses. But it was the one in front that she wanted. They passed the first marker, three miles to go. The other two horses were beginning to spread out ahead of her. She kept close to the third, as the one in front drew further away.

Duncan watched from the rail, his heart pounding in his chest. Did he do the right thing? He knew he shouldn't have done it. It was HIS pride that got bruised by the Duke, he should never have put his horse in this race. Not only that, he had an unskilled boy riding on her back. If anything happened to them he'd never forgive himself. Teela bounded up next to him, asking why he hadn't told anyone about entering his horse in the race. He couldn't answer. His eyes were locked on the streaking white mare that rounded the second marker.

The two horses ahead of her started to tire, slowly she advance on them and by the time she passed the third marker, she was closing on the leader. "You can do it Lightning!" the boy yelled.

'Of course I can. Now hang onto your buts, cause this race is mine!'

Duncan watched in total amazement, Lightning was gaining on the Selian horse. Her stride seemed to lengthen with every step. By the half-mile mark, she was at his tail, by the last quarter, they were neck and neck. Duncan shut his eyes, he couldn't watch, but he had to. If anything happened, he'd bare the consequences.

The Selian Jockey looked over his shoulder, and saw the white mare advance passed his mount. He whipped the stallion for more speed, and he tried, his lungs panting with each stride. He was going to loose. There was one way to win, if the horse that crossed first didn't have its rider. He whipped his horse one more time, then brought his whip down across the boy's face. Kale gave a shout of surprise as the reins were abruptly pulled against her lips. The crowd gasped collectively. Another bang sounded, and the boy fell from the saddle, pulling a few strands of her mane with him.

"NO!!!!" Duncan yelled, watching in horror as the small barn hand fell. He kept his eyes on the boy as he made his way across the track. He never saw what happened with Lightning.

Farther down the track, the officials halted the Selian rider, but before they could announce their penalty, the white horse ran right into the horse, knocking the rider clear to the other side of the rail. Kale cleared the fence effortlessly, and charged after the jockey. The man dove for cover under a decorative bridge. The mare started pawing the ground, running over the bridge surface, stomping her feet hard, trying to break the boards that protected her quarry.

Duncan gathered the boy in his arms, his face was bloody, but he was still breathing. He turned his attention down the track, and saw his horse, pounding her weight into the lawn decoration. Over her angry cries he could hear the jockey beneath calling for help. Duncan whistled, as he had done with Byron, and his mare charged in his direction. He watched her clear the fence and trot to a halt next to him, her nose carefully sniffing the boy. 'What have I done?' he asked himself. Teela took the mare's reins and followed her father to the medical tent. The results of the race could wait.

Teela pulled with all her strength on the reins, but the white horse wouldn't budge from the door to the medical tent. Finally giving up, Teela let the line go slack, enough for Kale to poke her head inside. The boy lay on the cot so still it was scary. Duncan and King Randor stood to the side, as the doctor worked.

What seemed like hours later, the man stood up to face the men, and noted the horse's head in the door. "Seems you aren't the only ones worried," he said, pointing. Randor glanced, and nodded. "He has a broken nose, and a concussion. But other than that, he'll be fine." Duncan heaved a sigh of relief only equal to that of his horse's sigh. "He's lucky that his mother was human. His bones are stronger than his father's would be. If he weren't, he'd be dead. Crushed on the impact. Duncan, you should have known better."

Duncan bowed his head. "I know," he stated. "Its my fault. I should never have entered this race. I had no right to risk his life."

"No..." the boy whispered. Poor Teela got dragged into the tent as Kale charged across the floor to her young rider. She pressed her muzzle to his chest. She could feel his hear beating inside. "Doctor...I wanted this...as much as he did...you couldn't have stopped me."

"Hush now. You need to rest," Duncan whispered.

"The race?...Who won the race?"

Randor quickly exited the tent. "Don't worry about the race," Duncan urged, pulling Kale's head away from the boy. "You fell off before the finishe."e."

"No!"

"It doesn't matter. You did your best, and for what its worth, I'm very proud of you."

"You'll be doubly proud when you see this," Randor stated, pullihe the tent flap back. "Official winner, by photo finish, Number thirteen."

The boy smiled, as Duncan picked him up. Carefully he placed the boy in the saddle, and lead the horse out to the winner's circle. He stood to the side, as the boy received his prize, and his prized mare; a basket of uncut sweet carrots. Kale practically dove into the basket.

The Selian, forever banned from racing, returned home in disgrace, beaten at his own game. Kale got her stall back, minus the annoying bars and paneling. Her young jockey managed to get the attention he needed to ask to be put through the proper training, and without hesitation, his supervisor agreed. Duncan pulled off the bridle, and slipped the halter over his mare's head, and patted her neck as she turned to lie down. She was exhausted. She didn't want anything more to do than rest. She debated about watching the fireworks through her window, but fell asleep just as the sky turned brilliant colours during sunset. She'd had fun this day. Perhaps now that she had their trust, she may be able to slip away.