Disclaimers can be found in the first chapter of this series.
Synopsis: That first summer after Talia's death
Ties to that First Summer
Challenge # 141: First
Word Count: 182
That first summer after Talia's death, her father sent her off to the desert where Ziva met a man whom she would later consider her Uncle. Faris was aptly named, for he was a breeder of horses.
"The Arabian" he intoned, "is known not only for their speed and stamina but also their beauty and intelligence."
At the time, she was already proficient in horseback riding and had little patience in the fine nuances about equines.
"Their origins are often obscured by myths but what binds them are tales of fighting and war."
Ziva understood this, as she ran steady hands down the familiar weight of her knife.
"The ultimate goal of breeding is to produce a foal with the best qualities. Purebreds are generally more valuable. Yet, there are other considerations. One should not construct the relationship between humans and horses based on the dominance of spirits. A natural disposition is vital for both survival and protection."
Come September, Ziva would leave for an operation in Cairo, but it would be some time before she learns the virtues of trust and friendship.