Transition Plan Chapter 23: First Homecoming Part 10 - Guided Tour (Scene 1)
The next morning they were awakened by both Edward and Elisabeth, who had found them when they pulled back the canopy drapes, as expected, sprawled nude across each other and the coverless bed. The two servants stifled their laughter seeing the couple layered in thousands of pillow feathers, the result of their chasing each other and rushing headlong into their lovemaking the night before, and covered them gently with the blankets.
Jane heard the click of the door and the aroma of the tea and coffee left for them, slowly waking in the morning with Tarzan. She felt oddly dizzy and held her stomach to settle the upset as she sat up, gently letting the blankets fall that had just been placed over her.
Her movement and the sight of her beautiful body with her auburn hair all around her shoulders and back caused Tarzan to awaken quickly. He stretched and yawned beside her, and asked, seeing her somewhat 'off' look, "Are you all right?"
Still stretched out on his back, Tarzan reached and ran his hand down the soft shape of her uncovered back and perfectly contoured hips, and put his arm around and below her bare waist. She put her hand on top of his and savored his touches, knowing what he wanted before breakfast.
"Feeling a little queasy. Too much champagne I think. The bubbles always affect me more than the wine does. And I haven't had any in over a year. I will be fine, dear."
Tarzan suggested, "I am sure Edward can get you some seltzer water to settle your stomach."
"That's a good idea, dear husband; I shall… What do you want to do today, Tarzan? We are still several weeks away from our departure back to Africa. We have time to explore."
Without hesitation, Tarzan stated, "Then today we explore our home."
"Our home! But not… just… yet," Jane exclaimed, turned, and put her arms around him.
Pushing him down into the covers, Jane straddled him, and silently they made love as the sun rose in their bedroom window.
After their tender morning encounter, they dressed for the day, and were ravenous for a delicious breakfast. After the meal, Edward showed them and Elisabeth the entire Castle. When they got to the library, with its floor to ceiling bookshelves and huge desk, Tarzan stood in awe.
'Edward, are all these books mine?'
"Yes Lord Clayton, they are. Your ancestors were quite the avid readers, and amassed a large library from across the world."
It dawned on both Jane and Tarzan where his insatiable nightly hunger to read came from.
"Come back in two hours, Edward. We need some time here."
"As you wish sir."
For several minutes Tarzan simply gazed at the four walls of floor to ceiling shelves of books that comprised the library of the estate. He examined several volumes with reverent care, and was as happy as the first days of learning to read Jane's books in her tent. Jane smiled and just stood hand-in-hand and delighted the simple awe of Tarzan's discovery of his fortune in literature. Suddenly she squealed in delight as he took both her hands in his, and both rushed around the huge room of books. He exclaimed in total excitement, raising his arms to them, "Jane, just look at this. More books than I could ever conceive of!"
"Your study has more books than many municipal libraries, Jonathan dear," she admitted truthfully.
He climbed one of the moveable ladders to the top effortlessly like a vine in the jungle tree canopies, and picked a book at random.
"Let's read together. Like we did at the beginning."
He sat on the small couch, and invited her to read with him. She sat very close to him, with her hands in her lap.
"No not just next to me, Jane. Get closer. Take off your shoes and stockings. Get comfortable. I know this is called a 'love seat'. Let's make sure we are using it properly," he winked.
"Oh my!" She blushed, "Yes, dear. I would like that very much."
Soon, she was very contented nestled in his lap, with bare feet and legs and dress draped over him and her arm around his shoulder as they held the ancient book together and read aloud. Elisabeth and Edward quietly looked in on them and smiled at the scene of their tender affection while reading together and kissing lightly. They were such a sweet couple, always completely enjoying each other's company. And always touching. It seemed like the hours passed in seconds.
Edward knocked on the study door and asked politely, "Would the Lord and Lady like more time?"
They looked at each other lovingly, and placed the book on his desk for reading later.
Tarzan said, "Not right now, Edward. We want to see the rest of this wonderful home."
"Your home, Lord and Lady Clayton."
"Indeed. What's outside?"
Edward showed the pair the yellowed parchment site map of the estate on one wall of the library, and pointed out each feature, "The stable, the lake, the great forest, the farm, the guest houses, summer home, and the mountains beyond."
"Let's see the stable first."
"As you wish, sir."
They donned heavy coats, hats, scarves, and boots, and trekked the long distance to the stable on a pebbled path with many shrubs and lined with planters that would be beautiful with flowers in the spring.
The veneur, Thomas, was tending to the horses. Edward headed back to the house, and left them in Thomas' care. One black stallion, an enormous animal, pranced in his own private pen. Tarzan was immediately drawn to the horse. He seemed nearly as big as Tantor. This was unlike any horse he had seen yet. He was fascinated that his hooves had much longer hair than the rest of his body. His furry fetlocks flowed in the wind with his mane and long tail.
"Isn't he a handsome animal, Lord Clayton?" noted Thomas.
"Yes indeed…" said Tarzan slowly in awe and appreciation.
Jane held his hand tightly. She knew that among animals, Tarzan was in his own element.
Thomas explained, knowing Tarzan had never seen a horse like this, "He's a battle horse, bred for more violent times. Legions would cower in fear with when the knights were in full charge against them with armor and weapons drawn. A dozen men mounted on horses like this could turn the tide of battle against hundreds of foot soldiers. The horses themselves were weapons."
"I would imagine so, Thomas."
The massive horse pranced and snorted at Tarzan, with a clear look of defiance.
"Has he been ridden?" asked Tarzan, never breaking eye contact with the horse.
Thomas scoffed, "No one can ride him. He has thrown every rider since he was a yearling. Including me. I broke my leg trying to tame this one, Lord Clayton."
"Why, Thomas?"
"No one knows why, Count Clayton. It's like he is waiting for one rider and one rider only."
Tarzan drew himself up in confidence, "I will ride him."
"He will kill you."
Tarzan stated, "I do not think so."
Tarzan jumped over the fence and strode into the pen, making unbreakable eye contact with the huge black stallion.
The veneur yelled, "No, My Lord, do not do this, he will trample you! He is a battle horse. He is bred to smash down troops on foot. You do not know him as I do."
"Oh but I think I do," Tarzan smirked. Jane held her breath nonetheless. Horses were unpredictable, and this was not the jungle where her husband was respected by all creatures.
Tarzan and the huge horse continue to eye each other, and he stopped only a few feet away from the beast. The ape man spoke to the animal in its language, "Greetings Master Horse. How are you called?"
Startled, the battle horse let out a loud whinny, and responded, "Who speaks to me?"
Thomas nearly fainted that Jonathan spoke directly to the horse in its language. Jane was ecstatic for Tarzan, and clapped her hands together in delight. He had figured out the equine language in the several rides they took at her estate before coming here. Only now did she know he had mastered their speech.
Tarzan spoke confidently to the horse, "Let it be known for now that I am a friend to you."
"You know my tongue. How is that so? No other human does," the horse said in great bewilderment, and paced nervously, backing away from Tarzan's approach. The veneur had never seen the horse retreat.
Tarzan explained with a kind, soothing voice, "One can only truly be a friend of an animal if he knows their ways. The only manner to know their ways is to talk with them."
"Wise words, stranger. The other humans, especially the one they called Executor, would do well to learn from you, 'Horse Talker'. He mistreated me and the others. We have the scars to prove that."
"I am sorry. That one mistreated many animals. He will not do so any longer. I am in charge of this Castle now. What is your name, Great Horse?"
"I am called Excalibur, but that is a name others gave me."
"How would you like to be called?"
"It is for the True Master of this House to name me," the horse explained.
"Is it also for the Master of the House to ride you?" Tarzan asked.
"Yes. I am only for him. I was bred to be so."
"Who told you this?" inquired Tarzan.
The steed spoke with pride, "My father. He and all his fathers carried the Lords of Greystoke into battle and into victory. And sometimes death. But they always rode together."
"If you will, Excalibur, I shall instead call you Kerchak. He was the bravest being I have ever known in a far away land, and he had an honorable death. He died protecting his family - my family - from great harm."
Jane was touched that Tarzan gave the great battle horse his gorilla father's name. She was picking up the gist of conversation and basic words.
The horse bowed his head, and pawed the ground, "It is an honor to carry the name of a fallen hero – especially the defender of a family. If you are my Master, I accept the name 'Kerchak'."
"I am he. I am the new Lord Clayton. I would ride you now, Kerchak."
"You must prove your worthiness to ride me, young Count."
"I accept that challenge."
"The stabler will outfit me to ride. I will permit it. At least until I throw you." Kerchak scoffed in challenge.
Tarzan smiled broadly at the battle horse, "Who says I need a saddle? And that you are so certain that you will throw me? Perhaps I will throw you!"
Kerchak's interest peaked with this fascinating human, "Oh? Well then, Lord Clayton, let's see what you are truly made of."
With no warning whatsoever Tarzan leaped from where he stood on to Kerchak's back, firmly grabbed his mane and wrapped his legs and squeezed the horse's midsection. The pressure was intense, with Kerchak never having felt a vice grip like that before. The horse bellowed, whinnied, nickered, reared, bucked, and jumped to rid himself of his human rider. He tried to scrape Tarzan off his back by smashing up against the fence, but Tarzan deftly moved his legs out of the way. Kerchak managed only to bruise his own ribs and bellowed. Jane and the veneur had a very concerned look, but Tarzan held on to every move the gigantic horse could dish out. With each jerk and twist, Tarzan's grip grew more solid and intense. Tarzan's clutch on the horse's mane was intentionally painful to establish control, and he soon commanded the battle horse's movements.
Kerchak stopped and whinnied in submission and in astonishment, "I am yours, Lord Clayton. No one has ever tried to ride me bareback, much less with such command. You are the Count of Greystoke, M'Lord. I would ride into battle wherever you will it."
"There may be battles yet ahead, Kerchak, but the next time we ride, we will just explore the forest in a pleasant trip together with my mate."
"That is her over there? She is a very fine mare indeed, my Lord. Do you have foals by her?" asked Kerchak respectfully.
Jane got the full meaning of every word of that and blushed deeply.
"No, but we hope to soon. She will need just as fine a ride as you to go with us."
Kerchak nickered amusedly,"I know just the filly for her, Master. My mate Faith. Only she can keep up with us."
"That would be most satisfactory, Kerchak."
The battle horse snorted, Faith came from an adjoining pen, and obeyed Kerchak's command to meet Lady Clayton. She nuzzled Jane, and nickered affectionately and softly. The horse was gray and off white, looking mostly Arabian. Jane smiled, rubbed her snout affectionately, and spoke, but not in English, "Hello, Faith. You are very beautiful. I understand we will ride together, if you would let me."
Tarzan was impressed. Jane had listened and learned well and fast.
"Lady Clayton! You speak my words as does the Lord of Greystoke?" spoke a wide-eyed Faith.
"I do. I speak many animal languages with my husband and mate."
"Of course I will let you ride me, especially since you asked, not demanded a ride. You are the Countess and I am yours. I look forward to a very interesting chat and ride, M'Lady. I will share with you the secrets of the great forest and teach you more of my words."
Tarzan dismounted, patted and fed Kerchak, and groomed him to be put away just as Jane had taught him with her horses. Tarzan tossed Jane a carrot to feed Faith, for which both were appreciative.
Both horses noted as they prepared to leave, "You are completely unlike the other humans. You are kind to us."
Tarzan simply smiled and stated, "All animals are like family to us, my friends."
Jane sighed happily and clutched her husband's arm and put her head against his shoulder. His words were so true. But in doing so, she got dizzy and stumbled, and nearly threw up.
Tarzan was very concerned, but Jane assured him while clutching him tighter to keep her balance, "I'm all right."
Thomas was in complete awe, and stammered, "My Lord and Lady? I have never seen such bonding with horses. Excalibur never has taken to strangers before today. Lord Clayton, you have a natural way with animals."
"Indeed he doe have a way with animals,Thomas. Every animal loves him," beamed Jane.
"You must call him Kerchak from this day forth, Thomas. That is his name."
"As you wish, sir."
Thomas bowed, and noted, "It is my pleasure to be your veneur, Lord Clayton. Good day, sir."
Tarzan started back toward the Castle, but Jane led him a little out of the way to the hard frozen pond behind the castle with very broad smile on her face, but hoped she could keep breakfast down.