A Horse of a Beautiful Color
1 - Offspring

A Horse of a Beautiful Color

Chapter 1: Offspring

A/N: This story begins three years after the birth of Alejandro Roberto.

Amanecer Dorado means "Golden Dawn" in Spanish.

Galleta means "cookie" in Spanish

Don Cornelio Esperon beamed at the newest addition to his already exceptional herd: a three-day-old foal huddled beneath the protective neck of its mother. "What did I tell you, my friends? Is she not a beauty?"

"She is indeed!" exclaimed Alejandro de la Vega. I am pleased that our pairing worked out so well." He slapped his old friend's back. "But of course the next foal is mine."

"And what a beautiful color," declared Margarita. The little filly sported a coat that was somewhere between pure white and the medium gold of a palomino.

"We call this a cremello," explained Don Alejandro, the expert breeder. "And I think you will find that she has blue eyes."

"Creamy white and blue," murmured Diego's wife. "Like the sky just before sunrise."

"You know, I have thought of that as well," offered Don Cornelio. "I am thinking of calling her Amanecer Dorado."

"Golden Dawn," echoed Diego, who had set three-year old Alejandro up on the edge of the stall to see the animal. "A most fitting name." He tapped his son on the shoulder and pointed to the foal and its mother: "Look, Alejandro, a foal!" The child looked at him, puzzled. Diego tried again: "A baby caballo."

"Pretty baby cal-bar-ro" said the child. The adults all chuckled.

A man and a boy had suddenly appeared at the entrance to the stable. "Patrón, it is time for us to tend the horses."

"Of course! Everyone this is Santiago Abeyta, my head groom. And this," he said, indicating the boy, "is his son Julio. I do not know what I would do without Santiago to keep my horses happy and healthy." The De la Vegas nodded a collective greeting. "And now, let us get out of the way."

Diego grasped his son's waist preparatory to lifting him down from the stall when the elder Alejandro appeared at his elbow. "Diego, let me, por favor". Diego stepped back and allowed his father to pick up the boy and set him gently on the stable floor. Then the old don took his grandson's hand and began to guide his small steps toward the stable door. "Come, mi nieto, we will find you some juice and perhaps a galleta as well." Diego was filled with pride and love for both of them, rejoicing that his father finally had the grandchildren he had so longed for.

They slowly ambled back to Don Cornelio's sala, where Moneta and Bernardo had remained with six-month-old Roberto Diego. Little Roberto was teething and was not always good company these days, so his parents and his older brother had gone to look at the foal without him. Margarita crossed the room and picked up her son. "Has he been good?"

"Mostly," replied Moneta Esperon, laughing. "At first he was very interested in my earrings, but I finally managed to substitute his stuffed toy." She held a small stuffed horse out to the child, who grasped it enthusiastically and began to chew on it.

"Perhaps a glass of after-dinner jerez before you all set out?" suggested her father.

"I think not," responded Diego. It's late enough and we have to get the little ones home. But Father," he said, turning to Don Alejandro, "you have your own mount. There is no need for you to leave with the rest of us if you wish to stay longer."

"Yes, Alejandro," continued their host. Suppose I tempt you with a glass of jerez and a game of chess?""

"Cornelio, I believe you have convinced me," smiled the elder De la Vega.

"Splendid! Diego, if you will wait a few minutes I will have your carriage brought around." And he nodded to one of his servants who then bowed and left the sala.

"Then we will see you later, Father. Enjoy your chess game," declared Diego. "Don Cornelio, thank you again for your hospitality. Moneta," he lifted her hand to his lips for the customary leave-taking kiss, "your company is always a pleasure."

"As is that of you and your family," she replied. "You must come more often."

The two women now hugged each other. "You must come and have lunch with me soon," said Margarita.

"I would be delighted. Send me a note whenever you wish," replied Moneta, drawing away as the sound of the approaching carriage was heard. Diego, Margarita, and the children made their way across the patio to the waiting vehicle and settled themselves.

"Vaya con Dios!" called Don Cornelio, as their guests headed into the evening and home.

Back in the stable, eleven-year-old Julio remained transfixed by the sight of the new foal.

"The baby is beautiful, Papá. Can I help you take care of her?"

"Perhaps a little," was his father's reply. The groom held out his hand. "Now give me that apple." Julio complied, then watched his father cut the apple in two with his knife and hand one half back to him. "Now, hold out your hand like this —" he held out the apple half in his flat open palm "— and offer it to the mamá." The lad did as he was told and was delighted that the mare took the fruit and crunched it slowly.

"Can I feed the other half to the foal?"

"No, Julio, she is too young. She will have only her mother's milk for at least six months. Then she will start to nibble the grass."

Still Julio could hardly take his eyes from the delicate little one. "Papa, when she is older do you suppose Señor Esperon might give her to me?"

"Oh no, mi hijo! The patrón's horses are highly prized and very valuable. He might give a colt to perhaps the viceroy, or to a royal ambassador, but he would never give such an animal to the likes of us."

"What do you mean, 'the likes of us' ? Why not?"

"It is too long to explain," sighed the father. "Now, since you wish to help me, fetch the buckets and we will refill the water troughs."