Again new chapter 2. hopefully no more glitches. I will translate all the Spanish words later.
Sixteen hours on a private plane with the two brothers proved to be amusing to say the least. Zeke and Uriah kept themselves entertained by playing Uno, Texas Hold'em, and drinking games during the inflight movie called The Book of Life. Beatrice smiled as she looked out the window at the sun that was shining brightly back at her. She felt movement behind her and heard Uriah mutter softly.
"Welcome to Madrid Beatrice. Once we land we will find Wolfy and get our asses home." Beatrice looked at him, icy blue/grey eyes wide with interest.
"What is the ranch like?" Uriah smiled, eyes glazing over as he remembered his home. He sat down next to her.
"I won't say what it is physically like, but believe me when I say I think you will be a great addition to our little family. We have thousands of cows, we have the best fighting bulls in all of Spain and our dancing horses!" Uriah exclaimed, eyes shining as he described some of the animals on the ranch.
"Dancing horses?" The two brothers looked at each other, buckling up as the plane began its descent into Madrid.
"Yes dancing horses. You have heard of The Spanish Riding School correct?" Zeke asked, looking at Beatrice. She nodded, eyes shining with delight.
"We are similar in some ways, but in others we are very different. We breed horses for the parades and for the local town "royalty". We teach them to dance to music, traditional music. Our friend Wolfy, whom is picking us up today, is in charge of the horses." Zeke smiled, watching a spark of life come to the young girl's eyes. Maybe, just maybe, Wolfy will find some use for the girl, and Beatrice could ride with her to her heart's content. The trio settled down, waiting to disembark the plane once they landed. The stewardess gave them the all clear, thanking them for riding with them again, and congratulated Beatrice on joining the Sombra family.
Beatrice smiled, running after Uriah and Zeke whom were waiting for her at the end of the walkway into the airport. Zeke smiled and then both he and Uriah dramatically tossed a arm each over her shoulders and began skipping into the airport to retrieve the checked luggage. Many people laughed at the scene, noticing Beatrice's face was bright red from the physical contact the boys were doing.
"Decide on a name yet?" Uriah asked, heaving up his bag from the conveyer belt. Beatrice glared at him, snatching her two suitcases and her duffel bag. Zeke sighed, smacking his brother's head again. Uriah yelped, rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head. Beatrice laughed, giving Zeke a grateful smile.
"Ok you young ones, let's go find Wolfy. She should be here somewhere." Zeke said, smiling at the two as he led the way. Beatrice followed closely, looking around at the magnificent airport as they walked through the throng of people surrounding the trio.
"Zeke! Uri! Over here you edjits!" Bellowed a feminine voice.
"Wolfy!" Uriah and Zeke bellowed back, running forward to a tall, lean woman with dark brown hair and yellow eyes. The two brothers tackled the woman, the trio hitting the ground laughing and snorting. Zeke got up first, hauling Uriah up and then holding a hand out to the woman whom was definitely the one called Wolfy. Wolfy took his hand and hauled herself up before looking at Beatrice, whom was biting her lower lip in nervousness.
"Beatrice Prior?" She nodded. Wolfy smiled, and enveloped the younger girl into a warm bear hug.
"Welcome to Madrid honey. My name is Skye, but everyone calls me Wolfy. Now follow me and let's head on home after we get you through this death trap." Beatrice smiled shyly, following the bold woman before her, letting the boys follow behind. Getting through customs was a breeze, and everyone was so friendly to the new worker that Beatrice had lightened up considerably. Wolfy finished helping the boys place all the luggage in the SUV and she went to the drivers side of the vehicle.
"Come ride up front and see the sights Beatrice!" Wolfy called, starting the engine. Beatrice smiled warmly, getting into the passenger side. Wolfy started some music and began to drive. Uriah lunged forward turning the music up as a song came on.
"Hey I know this song!" Beatrice grinned as Stay the night by Zedd Ft. Hayley Williams came blaring over the radio. She began singing, Uriah joining her soon after. The duo sang and sang, Uriah playing imaginary instruments as Beatrice pretended to hold a microphone. Wolfy smiled, looking back at Zeke, whom was smiling as well. Seems like Uriah found a new singing buddy. Once the song ended, Beatrice high fived Uriah before blushing. Did she really just sing? That wasn't like her at all.
"What's wrong?" Zeke asked, catching her blush.
"Nothing really. Just back in my hometown, no one really sang since it was considered selfish and it was one of the many reasons I left. I felt really different compared to everyone. I liked to sing and bake for myself. I liked to do little selfish things, like take a ten minute shower. Of course I got scolded all the time." She explained looking out the window at the thought of her old hometown. Wolfy frowned and tapped her fingers lightly on the wheel, watching traffic at a stop.
"You're not in Abnegation anymore. You're going to Dauntless. Impavido at that! It's a new start. Don't feel like you need to hide how weird you are. Well unless you're like Uri. Then please...hide that shit!" Wolfy said, cracking up. Uriah stuck his tongue out at the group as they laughed at the little diss Wolfy served him. The group settled down, Wolfy occasionally pointing out landmarks to Beatrice before they turned to the mountain roads, hours into the drive.
Uriah smiled widely as the pasturelands came zooming by. Zeke leaned out the window looking for something. When he saw what he was looking for he whooped. Beatrice looked out her window and found three people on horseback racing the car. She gasped. Three girls whooped and rode the most beautiful horses Beatrice had ever seen in her life. Wolfy slowed down, waving at the three girls.
"Don't push those horses dammit! Don't need anymore stock horses on this damn ranch!" She screeched. One horse bucked at the high pitch yell, making the girl riding him cuss. Beatrice giggled, watching the three riders slow down and turn back to the cattle they were attending. Wolfy shook her head muttering under her breath.
"Who were those people?" Beatrice asked, looking at Zeke.
"The one riding the chestnut with flaxen mane was Shauna. The one riding the blood bay was Marlene. The last one riding the red rabicano was Christina. All good girls. They normally watch the western herd and Christina is in charge of the sheep as well along with her dogs." Zeke grinned. Wolfy slowed down pulling up to an iron gate that was shaped into the likeness of two prancing horses.
"Welcome to Sombra de Toro Beatrice. Your new home." Wolfy said, urging Uriah to get out and open up the heavy gate. Beatrice, gapped at the beauty of the ranch as Wolfy drove in. The courtyard had a wonderful water fountain and several red adobe buildings. Flowers were planted everywhere, letting the courtyard burst into color. At the biggest house was a double french door where two people waited for the SUV to pull up to.
Wolfy threw the car into park and leapt out. She saluted jokingly to the two people waiting, barking out in a practiced manner.
"Wolfy reporting for duty! Zeke and Uri are back! Successfully acquired one Beatrice Prior!" The woman whom was standing there chuckled and waved Wolfy off. Said girl went to unload the vehicle with Uriah and Zeke. Beatrice smiled shyly at the woman and man.
"Welcome Beatrice. I am Tori and this here is Max. His family owns the ranch. He is our boss." Tori explained, smiling. Beatrice smiled, sticking her hand out to the both of them.
"It is really nice to meet the both of you. I'm Beatrice Prior." The older man smiled next to Tori and shook her hand.
"Welcome Beatrice to Sombra de Toro. It means Shadow of the Bull. As Tori said my name is Max. I am too old and I really have bad arthritis in my hands to do work so I leave that to the ranch hands. For today you're gonna settle in and when he comes back in, my Foreman Four will help you choose a stock horse. Tori will show you around. We have dinner in the hacienda every night promptly at seven thirty. Please enjoy your day." Max said, limping back through the French doors. Tori grabbed one of the suitcases Zeke handed to Beatrice and lead her to the smaller building next to the Hacienda.
"This is the girls' bunk house. The opposite bunk is the boys'. Now we don't mind fraternization just as long as it doesn't interrupt your work." Tori winked at a blushing Beatrice.
"Like Max said we have dinner in the main house at seven thirty every night. Let's get you settled and then I'll show you around outside." Beatrice nodded, taking her clothes and placing them in the little dresser next to the bed and she placed her pillow and sheets on the bed itself. Tori smiled, leading the her outside.
"Ok to the west is the largest herd we have. It normally consists of cows and calves. Three to four riders go out there and everynight we have two of our dogs watching the herd. To the east is the bull pastures. Very few girls work over there due to it being so dangerous, but it isn't impossible. Down south is our sheep and goat herds. They are guarded day and night by our dogs." Tori explained, pointing in each direction.
"Behind the boy's bunk house is the horse stable. Wolfy is exclusively in charge of the stock horses and the dancing horses. Christina and Will are in charge of the dogs. Four, Zeke, and Uriah are in charge of the bulls." Tori continued to explain, walking slowly to point out each feature. Beatrice paused next to the horse stable, looking inside. Tori chuckled and opened the door fully. Rows and rows of stalls appeared in the extra flood of light and many heads stuck over stall doors to peer curiously at the intruders.
"Four will help you officially choose two horses. One dancing for the parades we participate in, and one stock horse for work. Have a look around. See if any of the horses catch your eye. The 2 rows of stalls on the left are stock horses and to the right are the dancing horses." Tori explained walking to one of the first stalls and stroking the long face that was mostly covered with a wavy black mane.
"This here is my dancing boy. The current lead stallion of the herd. His name Leon. It means lion in spanish." Beatrice came over. The stallion was an inky black color with beautiful brown eyes. His tail touched the floor and was just as wavy and magnificent as his mane.
"He's gorgeous." She whispered. Leon snorted into her hands, taking in her scent. Tori laughed.
"He likes you. Now do you see a dancer that catches your eye?" Beatrice looked at the stalls, walking by slowly. She patted most of the long faces before stopping before a stall. The plaque on the door read Asesino. He was the color of washed out jeans with four inky black socks and a equally black mane and tail. Down his nose was a white strip. Beatrice held out her hand, where a hesitant nose took in her scent before leaning in.
"I like him." Tori walked up and shook her head in surprise. A small smile graced her face as she watched the smaller woman pet the huge head hanging over the stall door.
"Well I'll be. This is Asesino. Assassin in english. He is Leon's grandson. He is a wild thing. Only one that has even sat in the saddle with him is Four. He hates everyone. I am surprised he is letting you touch him." Tori explained, watching them interact. Beatrice shrugged, gently touching the horse's face.
"I'll let Four know you're interested in him. Come choose a stock horse. Who knows, you might be able to actually ride that one." With a sigh she turned from Asesino, whom neighed sadly as she moved away to the stock horses. She watched each one and finally settled on a smaller grey horse, who had one blue eye.
"That's Lobo. Wolf. He's a favorite of ours. Good choice. Ah, here is Four now." Tori said, waving as a rider came in on a stunning palomino stock horse. Beatrice looked up to find a young man staring down from his towering height with dark navy blue eyes and dark brown hair. A baseball hat threw a shadow.
"Four this is Beatrice. She is the new hire. Can you help her choose her horses? Asesino took a shine to her. Might wanna try her on him." Four's eyes widened minutely before he swung off his horse and nodded at Tori.
"Sure thing boss. Hello Beatrice. I'm Four. I'm in charge of well, daily assignments and any extra stuff." Four explained gruffly, holding his hand out. Beatrice shook is smiling at Four.
"Nice to meet you."
"Have you ridden before?" Four asked, leading his horse to a hitching post. A halter was there with a lead rope and he deftly took off the simple hackmore and placed the halter on the horse's head. He clipped the lead rope to the halter, tying the horse to the tie ring and moved to remove the saddle.
"Yes. My uncle owned a horse ranch in Kentucky. When we went to visit, I lived in the saddle." Beatrice explained, taking a nearby grooming kit and began to curry the sweat and dirt from the horse's side and flank.
"Thanks. Almirante is one of the best bull horses we have. He always works hard." Four murmured, taking another curry comb and began on the other side of the golden stallion.
"So which horses caught your eye?" Four asked after a few moments of peaceful silence.
"Asesino and Lobo." Beatrice replied promptly, looking at the young man. He was thinking quietly before he grabbed a rag and began to wipe his side of the horse down.
"Lobo will do good as a stock horse. He is proven to keep his rider safe. We do have wolves and wild cats up here so that's very important to us. Asesino though. He is kinda wild. Are you comfortable to try and ride him today?" Four asked, tossing his equipment into the bucket. She nodded confidently.
"Well let us go find a saddle small enough for you." Four grunted, untying Almirante and leading him to his open stall. He beckoned to her to follow him after he closed and latched the stall door.
"The tack room is right outside. But first rule of this stable is no open flames. Second always latch the stall doors. These guys are beyond smart and we have had stampedes of loose horses before." Four said quietly, quickly moving on to the tack room. The duo opened the door and Four turned on the light. Saddles, both decrative and working lined the walls with saddle blankets, hackmores, bridles, and even driving gear. Beatrice gasped, making a beeline for a small black leather working saddle with a bone and leather hackmore. Four grinned lopsidedly as she looked back at him.
" Ok I'll grab Asesino and you bring your gear to the stable." Four grunted, leaving with a small smile on his face. She smiled in victory and grabbed the gear, easily slinging it over her arms. She scrambled outside, using her boot toe to turn off the light then to kick the door closed. She heard Asesino before she saw him. The large stallion was screaming a challenge at Four, rearing in anger. Four expertly made him drop to all fours before the horse saw Beatrice. Immediately he calmed and dragged Four on the lead rope to nuzzle the smaller human's head. She giggled running her head back against the nuzzle.
"Well he really does like you." Four grumped. Beatrice smiled and saddled the horse, adjusting the cinch and breast plate so it would fit just right. She took his lead rope and tied it to the tie ring.
"Head down." Beatrice ordered kindly, watching as the horse dropped his head so she can remove the halter and place the hackmore on his large head. She adjusted it and took the reins.
"Need a leg up?" Four asked, watching in well hidden amazement. Beatrice shook her head, took a deep breath and placed her foot in the stirrup. With a half leap she was in the saddle and holding the reins comfortably. She smiled and looked down.
"Can we go for a ride?" Four cocked his head to the side, before nodding. He went to the stall that was next to Asesino's and out came a beautiful silver buckskin mare. He took his bridle from before and adjusted it quickly before placing it on the docile mare's head. He swung up bareback and trotted out the stable, Beatrice and Asesino hot on their heels