A storm was blowing in from the East…winds had started to rustle the near by trees, first beginning as a low murmur through the branches and suddenly falling upon the land as if whipped by the hands of the Gods themselves. Court pulled her horse to a halt near the edge of the forest.
" Whoa…settle down now boy," she cooed to the bay three-year-old stallion known as Calvo while he began to fuss and rear.
He was not used to being out during a sudden change in weather…especially one this drastic. Being only three, Calvo was still an immature and inexperienced green horse. Yet he had tremendous talent and heart. Although a bit skittish and flighty, Calvo would one day soon make a magnificent horse for one of the knights. As the trees began to buckle and sway under the pressure of the winds a loud and forceful noise had picked up in the near distance and was quickly heading in their direction.
" Calvo we had better get a move on and try and out run this tempest." He shook his head and snorted while striking the ground with his left hoof.
Court smiled at his understanding and then spurred him into a gallop. The blades of grass were now thrashing violently under the command of the winds yet now they were being crushed by the mighty strides of Calvo. The faster he ran the more elated he became and this, Court believed, was what made an outstanding horse…a horse who truly loved his job and reveled in its freedom. Unfortunately nature had taken the upper hand on this chase and now the sheets of rain had broken from the seas of heaven. To Court this morning ride was like being in a dream…she loved the rain…she loved to ride…and she loved to go fast with the feeling of endless boundaries surrounding her. The rain first started falling in a diagonal push to the left. In a matter of second, it had shifted to the right and was now pelting her in the face. ' This is some storm' she thought to herself as she pulled Calvo to the right and caught sight of Hadrian's Wall not more than 100 yards away. The large wooden gates were open and welcoming. Although the rain was a wonderful morning refresher she still had a whole day of work ahead of her and did not feel like riding the other 15 horses in wet britches and tunic.
"Top of the mornin' to you Court! Calvo's looking a bit temperamental, but that's to be expected. Perhaps he's not enjoyin' the rain as much as you do. Reckon you'll fix him of that now." Bellowed the large gatekeeper.
"Morning Thomas! Ah it's nothing I can't handle. Just a bit of first time storm weather. He's got to learn to handle it sometime."
Thomas laughed heartily and nodded in agreement with Courts training of the young horses. "Yer doin' a fine job with them lot. The Knights will be quite pleased with how the new ones are turning out."
Court nodded her thanks and waved goodbye as she galloped back to the stables. "That's a fine young man that Court is… I have it in me right mind to introduce him to me daughter…perhaps he can tame Katrina." Muttered Thomas while watching the back of Court and Calvo vanish around a corner.
Court arrived at the stabled within five minutes of talking with Thomas. She liked the old man quite a bit. He had a very kind and generous way about him, not to mention the fact that he also used to train the young horses for the Knights before he injured his leg in a past battle. It meant a lot to her to have his approval in her training for she valued his opinion greatly.
Swinging off of Calvo, Court led him over to an empty stall and began stripping him of his tack and sweat. While toweling him off and talking to him as if in conversation a person had taken this opportunity to sneak into the barn.
"You know Calvo, the rain is not as bad as you think." Spoke Court. "You're not made of sugar so I doubt you'll melt if it rains on you once in a while." Calvo snorted and shook his head in refusal. "Well I have news for you, you do not get to decide when you do or don't ride in the rain so get used to it." at this remark Calvo did not fuss around but merely lowered his head so Court could dry off his face. "There I bet you feel better now." Smiled Court as Calvo nudged her with his nose.
"I find it quite amusing how you converse with these animals." Came a high voice from behind Court.
"You're just jealous." Court replied smiling while she continued to keep her back towards the voice.
"Nah I just think you're sick Briseis, oh I'm sorry I meant Court. Silly me." Said the sly voice. At this remark Court turned around to face the voice.
"Katrina you should not have."
"Oh and why shouldn't I have?"
Court had now abandoned Calvo and was now searching around the stables to see if anyone had heard the remark. "Why? You ask. Why? You know why Katrina. You alone know who I truly am and I want it to stay that way."
The young girl laughed at her friends comment while striding over to pet Calvo. "How could I ever forget your reason for turning your lovely self into a charming boy and there by completely denying yourself of a husband." Sneered Katrina.
"Well I don't exactly see you settling down either Miss. Katrina." Came Briseis' retort. At this Katrina broke into a fit of laughter. "Do pray tell what amuses you so."
"Oh it is quite simple. Just this morning my father said he saw you riding in and that the two of you stopped and had a chat. When you left, my father had this marvelous idea of the two of us as a possible marriage." Briseis blanched and looked at the ground embarrassed. "I mean to think, me ever marrying you. You're not that handsome as a boy!"
"Oh and like you have beauty graced from the Gods themselves Katrina. What makes you think I'd ever court your scrawny carcass?" There was silence between the pair of them and then Katrina snorted and the two began laughing hysterically at the thought of marrying each other.
" You should come to the tavern with me tonight and have a drink. It'll do you some good to speak to 'people' and not just these horses."
"These horses provide me with the silence and secrecy humans lack. You yourself proved that not 5 minutes ago. And beside, what am I going to do at the tavern anyways. All the knights are there and they shall just pester me about the training of horses." Briseis replied as she twiddled with some hay that had found its way into her hair.
"I am inviting you to accompany me not as Court…but as Briseis."
"WHAT! Are you bloody well mad! I, I can't go as a girl; they'll recognize me, and then what? Then I'll have THROWN away my chance to ever become a knight and, and you know I can't. There is just no way." When Briseis had finished her ranting and had now taken to pacing the floor, Katrina decided to speak.
"Now listen here and stop trying to argue. No one in this village has ever seen your true face; by the gods I've never seen you as you truly are. You shall accompany me as a friend from the north temple of the Goddess Hermes come to visit for the evening only because you have a job to get back to at home. So, this takes out all questions as to where you are from and why you are leaving so soon. And the rest will be simple. You shall wear one of my dresses and have a merry time with the knights of legend. What do you say now?"
Briseis had taken a seat on a bale of hay to hear the remainder of Katrina's idea and she had to admit that it might work and that she really did want a night of fun. With a sight of submission, Briseis threw up her hands, stood up, returned Calvo to his stall, and asked Katrina "What time are you going to meet me here with a dress?"
At this Katrina squealed with excitement and hugged her friend. "You shall not regret this night…I promise. I shall meet you here around seven so make sure you have washed and bathed by then."
"Yes mother…" mimicked Briseis. "I'll see you later tonight." With a sigh of relief when Katrina had finally left, Briseis resumed her role as the male Court and got on with her riding for the rest of the day.