Finding Yourself
Disclaimer: Like I really own the story of Hidalgo! I wish.
Chapter Four: Camp
Kaitlin had managed to make it across the ocean to Arabia, but it had been a long, lonely trip with only Zodiac for company. Kaitlin had been dressed in some of her father's old clothes and had cut her hair just before getting on the ship and she looked very much like a young version of her father. Since she looked like a cowboy, no one wanted anything to do with her. When the ship came into port, she disembarked from the ship and began to ride Zodiac to the last corner of Arabia where the camp was for the beginning of the Ocean of Fire.
Since Kaitlin didn't know where she was going, she followed another group headed towards the camp. It was the group of Lady Anne Davenport whose mare, Cameria, was entered in the race. The lady was nice company but she seemed way too suspicious of Kaitlin. Anne often asked Kaitlin, or Kyle as she was now called, if she knew of the, as she put it, "cowboy and his painted disgrace". But Kaitlin never replied to the questions that Anne asked when they had anything to do with her father, which would give her away. She had come way too far to be found out so easily.
Kaitlin was surprised at how easy it was to pretend to be a boy. No one would be able to tell that she wasn't who she said she was. No one but her father would be able to guess. But her father wouldn't be seeing her. It wasn't like he was coming to Arabia to find her, so her identity was safely hidden.
Frank was exhausted. He had absolutely no clue as to where Kaitlin was. He knew that she had been on the ship, but it was like Kaitlin Hopkins had never existed, let alone set foot on the ship. Then Frank smacked himself in the head. Of course she wouldn't be going by her own name! She'd change it so that she could race as a boy! That meant that he'd have to find her in the last corner of Arabia by speaking to some friends.
As Frank headed out of port, riding to the camp, he noticed that Lady Anne Davenport was also there. She must still be trying to win the race. It would probably be best if she didn't see him. So he quickly rode away, towards the camp, hoping that he'd reach the camp before Kaitlin did and therefore, he would find her.
Frank got very lucky. He was the first rider in from port, which gave him an advantage to finding Kaitlin. He quickly searched for Jazira's father who was the Sheikh of Sheikhs. Frank found his tent with ease and was surprised to see that the Sheikh was delighted to see Frank once again. Frank was welcomed into the Sheikh's tent by none other than the Sheikh.
"Welcome back, Frank! Have you come for a visit or for another try at our great race?" said the Sheikh in greeting.
"None of 'em, I'm afraid. I've come to this, the last corner of Arabia, searching for my daughter. She has run away with her horse and she wants to race in the Ocean of Fire."
"Jazira and your child is here? In Arabia?" asked the Sheikh in disbelief.
"Yes, Kaitlin, and her horse have come here without our knowledge. I am trying to find her but she must not know that I am here."
"You wish to remain unknown then?"
"Yes, I do."
"Is there anything I can do to help you or her?" asked the Sheikh, worried for Kaitlin.
"May I borrow some Arabian attire so that I may pass as another, nameless, faceless rider in the race?"
"Sure you may. You will also enter the race?" the Sheikh asked even though he already knew the answer.
"Yes I do. You see, I plan to find her without causing any problems that may endanger her," said Frank, having figured out a plan of action on the way over to the camp.
"Ahh, I see."
"Many thanks, Sheikh of Sheikhs," said Frank as he saluted the Sheikh with a tip of his hat and head as he left the tent.
Frank put a tent up while he was waiting for the others and took care of Hidalgo. Hidalgo seemed all right with being back in Arabia, which Frank guessed was a good thing. And then he waited for the rest of the entrants from port to arrive. He was wearing Arabian garb, given to him by the Sheikh and he looked nothing like himself. Well, two can play this game, he thought as finally, the entrants arrived and with them, he hoped, rode Kaitlin.
Author's Notes:
Sorry that I took so long to post! This past week I was supposed to go camping but the trip was cancelled and this change affected much of my homework. So unfortunately, I've been spending my writing time doing homework. But hopefully I'll get back to doing my homework at school and then using my free time to write. Currently, I'm writing during the time spent on a bus with broken shocks during my hour long morning ride to school when I'm half-asleep or during the time between two and three am in which I normally try to sleep. Hopefully, I will have another chapter up within two days of this one. Since people seem to like it, I will try my best to keep updates coming.
Reviewers!
Laer4572 – I'm glad that you like the story and that you can here the voices in her head. Sometimes I can when I read a really well written story.
Gurlzrock – Here's an update!
Soccer-Bitch – Glad you like the story and I will try to update more often. I'm glad that people seem to like this story.