River God: The Horse Lords

by Diana Drakulich

  For now. But for 20 miles?

  Sava had no idea how long the stallion could last. But he was determined not to push too hard. He would rather just give the horse to Yagya than run him to death. But caught up in the excitement of a race that was always a concern. Even though Zlatna was down in condition the horse would not give up.

  The galloping pack thundered around a bend and were confronted by a four foot wall of logs. The stallion slowed slightly, shortening his stride, gathering his haunches under him and then…

  They were soaring with the other leaders. All jumping with the agility of deer in full flight, landing easily and thundering on.

  Ooompah…Ooompah… The big horse’s deep breathing, his great heart thrumming in his breast galloping on and on, eating up the miles. Around a bend and up came a wall of stones. Again the horses soared.

  The pack raced on, Zlatna still keeping pace with the leaders. Ahead yawned a long deep ditch, wider than two men lengthwise. They had a split second choice – jump the ditch or play it safe and run around it. Sava felt the stallion gathering, tensing to push off.

  Mata Drakaina let it be your will!

  They hit the other side lightly as a bird lands, still in stride. The stallion’s powerful quarters, longer stride and elasticity allowing him to take off sooner and land further out. Two other horses landed abreast of Zlatna. One of them was King Yagya’s silver mare.

  They galloped on, hell bent, uphill and down, neck and neck. The rest of the pack was starting to lag, but not far back. Any one could catch up to the leaders with a burst of speed. All were still in the race.

  A bright blue glimmer shone ahead. The river!

  Next to the riverbank were two mounted Tauri, there to make sure all the contenders ran down into the water. The three front runners swept the flasks from their belts. As the horses splashed into the river, each rider leaned far down and scooped up some water without dismounting.

  Sava jammed in the stopper and hooked the flask back on his belt. Turning the horse splashed back up onto the bank - just as the rest of the pack came thundering down.

  Now the real test - a ten mile sprint back to the finish line.

  Sava glanced over at Yagya’s silver mare on his right. She was running with everything in her, head, neck and tail horizontal. Making up for what she lacked in stride with speed and endurance.

  He could not see the rider’s face, it was wrapped in a scarf with only the eyes showing, but her rider rode with an effortless grace.

  On Sava’s left the other leader, a bay stallion with four white socks was heavily lathered and showing signs of flagging. After another mile at break neck speed, the bay dropped back a few body lengths. The race was narrowing down to a final contest between Zlatna and Yagya’s silver mare.

  The gray mare showed no signs of slowing. If anything she was holding steady and seemed to have plenty in reserve. Her rider was arced over the mare’ back, rocking in perfect unison with the galloping horse.

  Grey mare and golden stallion swept on in a thunder of hooves down the track toward the finish. By now the track was lined with onlookers screaming and cheering, urging them on.

  Both horses running neck and neck. Soaring over the jumps in stride.

  O-OOMPAH… O-OOMPAH… Zlatna’s breathing was sounding louder. His great heart pounding. The stallion was starting to labor. His sides vibrating against Sava’s legs.

  The wide, treacherous ditch yawned just ahead. The stallion tensed, shortening his stride, bunching his muscles for the jump.

  Too late Sava realized that the edge of the ditch was torn up. The soft ground pulverized by hooves driving like so many hard spikes into the earth. As Zlatna started to leap, the edge gave way and they floundered down, sliding to the muddy bottom.

  But the silver mare’s rider took a little extra time and cleverly veered over to more solid ground on the far right. The gray mare flew over the end of the ditch, landing safely on the other side.

  She took off like a bat out of the Dark House to the wild cheers and screams of the Tauri. Sava glanced up in time to see the mare’s black tail and her rider’s scarf streaming behind as they whisked away.

  Despite the fall, Sava fervently thanked the goddess that Zlatna had not actually crashed, but had somehow managed to keep his footing, sliding all the way down. The earth shook with the coming thunder of racing hooves. In moments the rest of the pack would be upon them.

  Quickly guiding Zlatna to the end of the ditch where the sides were not as steep, Sava looked up just as the rest of the pack came roaring up. Dirt, mud and pebbles sprayed down on them as the other Tauri riders veered over to firmer ground to jump. He was forced to hold Zlatna back and wait until all the horses flew over.

  `Turn right lose your horse’. Sava thought wryly, remembering the inscription on the menhir at the crossroads into Taurica. By the time Zlatna was able to scramble up out of the ditch, they were running dead last.

  But the stallion needed no urging. The fire was in him. Zlatna would not be left behind. Pushing off in great bounds the stallion took off again.

  O-OOMPAH…O-OOMPAH… Lungs throbbing. Great heart pounding.

  Hooves beating the earth. Legs a blur of movement. Exerting a tremendous effort the golden horse began to catch up.

  And then…One by One. He began to pass.

  As if their horses were galloping in space, running hard but getting nowhere, the Tauri riders glanced over in helpless frustration as Zlatna passed. The golden stallion surged to the forefront until he was running just behind the gray mare.

  Despite galloping at breakneck speed, the stallion’s ears constantly flicked back and forth, listening to Sava, in tune with his rider.

  The stone wall loomed ahead. The silver mare arced into the air, her rider’s back flowing like a wave in unison with the mare’s arching back. The pair a rolling song in motion.

  On landing, her rider leaned slightly back, using her weight to rate the mare’s velocity and balance on impact.

  Only a length behind, Zlatna launched over the wall. His bigger bound landed them further out than where the mare had impacted.

  Now the stallion was running almost even with the mare, their hooves thrumming the ground. The last obstacle loomed - the log wall. After that it was a clear straightaway back to camp.

  The sides of the track were lined with Tauri tribesmen, waving and screaming their heads off. As he flashed by, Sava glimpsed Brata on his bay horse, the Black Cloak’s intense dark eyes willing him on to victory.

  Chapter 26 – Goddess of the Hunt

  The Horse bounds from the earth

  With the very exuberance of his spirit –

  Xenophon, On Horsemanship 430BC

  The wild wind rushing in his face blurred Sava’s vision. Within the heavy beating of drumming hooves, he heard Zlatna’s deep rhythmic breathing – O-OOMPAH – O-OOMPAH – O-OOMPAH...

  The great stallion’s eyes were bulging, his nostrils flaring impossibly wide. The veins on his face standing out as if ready to rupture. The golden horse was running on pure heart now, but they were close. So close.

  Matching stride for stride, golden stallion and silver mare raced up to the log jump. The two horses launched simultaneously. Sava glanced over. The horses were so close he could almost touch the mare’s rider.

  The scarf wrapped around the rider’s face had come undone and was blowing back in the wind. In a heartbeat he recognized who it was. The goddess from last night - Sorsha.

  Sensing his gaze, she glanced over into his eyes and then – Time tunneled and stood still.

  A Voice in his head said – It is not necessary to win. Your mission is to make an alliance among equals.

  The horses hit the ground on the other side of the logs in perfect unison. On impulse, Sava stretched out his hand. Sorsha took it.

  A thrilling energy arced between them as the horses raced on, side by side, hooves beating the ground, high-tailing for the finish. The rest of the pack thundering close
behind.

  On reaching the finish line first, Sava and Sorsha exchanged a speaking look of pure exhilaration.

  The Tauri were ecstatic. Sweeping them off the horses they carried the two winners around on their shoulders, dancing and cheering. This was the kind of show the people loved.

  When things had quieted down and she had taken care of the mare, Sorsha determined to seek Sava out. This might be my last chance.

  She had let down and combed her thick black hair. It hung in a V to her waist, swinging in a shimmering blue-black wave as she walked. Golden combs composed of two rearing horses facing each other lifted her hair, framing high cheekbones.

  Her glowing brown eyes were lined with kohl. Her golden skin was anointed with precious myrrh. She wore an embroidered red kurta with a ruffled black silk skirt.

  Hips swaying, head high she strode through camp. A goddess on the hunt. She found Sava rubbing down the exhausted stallion.

  Glancing up as she approached, he was struck by the incandescent nimbus radiating from Sorsha’s face. At the same time he noticed with a horseman’s canny eye, always alert for signs of lameness, that she walked with a slight limp on her right leg.

  “What a race eh?” He greeted her with a wide smile, his piercing blue-green eyes sparkling into hers. “Never have I seen anyone ride like you. So graceful. Who taught you to ride like that?”

  “My mother, she was Royal Skythian. My father was Tauri. He was also an excellent rider and trainer.”

  “Was? Did something happen to them?”

  “They are no more.” The joy of the race flickered and died in her eyes.

  “What happened?”

  “My parents were killed when our camp was attacked by cannibals. My father put me on our fastest horse and told me to ride like the wind to Yagya’s camp. He said he and my mother would catch up with me. I did not want to go but I was only a child then…two of the cannibals chased me for miles.”

  “Is that how you hurt your leg?”

  “Aye, one of the cannibals shot me in the calf. I rode with an arrow in my leg all night until I found Yagya’s camp the next day. His healer took out the arrow, then I rode with Yagya and his men to show them our camp, but it was too late…”

  “Ah my poor Sorsha.”

  Sava held out his arms and she stepped into them. He closed her in a warm embrace and she relaxed against him. It felt so good. So natural.

  “Why did your father send you to find Yagya?” His warm lips spoke near her ear.

  “My father was first cousin to King Yagya. Their father’s were brothers. I had nowhere else to go. Yagya has been kind to me. Still…It gets lonely sometimes...”

  Sava heard the plea, the need in her voice. The words Sorsha had whispered in his ear at the wedding ritual came back to him: `I am not a slave. I chose you’.

  He realized why Yagya had seemed a little put off that he had rejected Sorsha last night, as if she was not good enough.

  “Sorsha, I wanted to be with you last night. But I could not take the chance…”

  She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. “When are you leaving Sava?”

  “In a few days. As soon as my horse is fit enough.”

  And the words burst forth from deep inside. Intense. Heartfelt - “Take me with you.”

  Chapter 27 – Take Me

  She used her love arts.

  She took his breath with her kisses -

  Epic of Gilgamesh 1550 BC

  Sava gazed into Sorsha’s shining dark eyes. Saw the deep need there.

  Regretfully he shook his head. “I cannot take you with me Sorsha. Too dangerous. Yagya would never allow it.”

  “I am not afraid. There are only two of you. You need another and I am an excellent archer.”

  “A top rider too.” He grinned.

  “I have so little time left. Yagya has received a marriage proposal for me, but I don’t want to marry that man.” I want YOU.

  Her thought was unspoken but Sava felt it louder than words.

  “Sorsha please understand, beautiful as you are, I am not ready to take a wife yet. A war is coming. I could be killed. Then you would be left all alone amongst strangers.”

  “Then I will die too, fighting by your side.”

  Shimmering brown orbs gazed into his own. He was stunned by the unwavering depth,by the sincerity of her regard.

  “Sorsha…” Shaking his head Sava released a deep sigh and held her close. How can I say it without hurting her? I hardly know this girl. And what about Bari? My parents have long planned that we will marry.

  Blindsided by Sorsha’s heartfelt plea, he squeezed her tempting, nubile body close. Then with gentle hands he pushed her away. Gazing deep into brown pools glimmering with a lifetime’s promise of hope and desire, he tried to reason with her -

  “Sorsha this is not possible. The Persian army is coming to wreak vengeance on Royal Skythia. We Sauromatae have sworn allegiance to Royal Skythia, even against all odds. When King Darius invades we will be caught up in a maelstrom of destruction. Yagya is a cagy fox. He will devise a way to make peace with Darius. Stay here where you will be safe. Marry a good Tauri man.

  “I do not wish to marry just any man Sava. Only the man of my heart.”

  He saw the wounded rejection in her eyes and it hurt. This was the second time Sorsha had offered herself to him and once again he was pushing her away.

  “Sorsha you must understand…” Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close to gaze into those eyes. Eyes that radiated an intense pathos. “To me you are beautiful. When I look at you I see a goddess. I hate that you should feel pain because I can’t take you with me. You will find someone else. Someone better.”

  Rather than cling, she broke his hold and stepped back, away from him.

  “I understand Sava.”

  With a clear direct look that said she was aware of all the unspoken nuances of why he did not want her, she strode away, head high, shoulders back.

  Something went out of the nomad then, some vital force like the air in his lungs. He found himself sinking down on his knees in the dirt next to the stallion.

  Twice this goddess has offered herself to me and I have rejected her. Now she is gone out of my life forever.

  A hard fist squeezed his heart, as if he had unknowingly thrown away a treasure beyond words.

  Zlatna dropped his head and gazed into Sava’s eyes with his big lustrous brown ones. Putting his velvety muzzle close to the nomad’s cheek, the horse huffed so softly, What is it? And Sava inhaled his favorite scent – sweet, pure grassy horse.

  When he had set out on this mission, he never expected to make such deep connections with people. Each time he was finding it more difficult to leave them behind.

  “Zlatna my friend, if not for you, I would never have met such great people.” And the realization struck – It is a great mistake to let Sorsha walk out of my life.

  Rising, he went in search of her. Finally he spotted her tall slender form standing near Yagya’s kibitka. Her back was to him as she stared far away across the rolling green Sea of Grass. Perhaps remembering her beloved parents, her lost childhood. He walked up close behind her, put warm palms over her eyes and breathed in her ear –

  “Sorsha?… “

  Recognizing His voice, His touch, she leaned back against his broad chest and let his arms envelope her in warmth. Placing her hands over his, she pressed them to her face. Her heart began beating again, springing back from the dead place into which it had sunk.

  “Adoni?” Lord.

  “I will ask Yagya to bring you to the war council. Don’t marry yet Sorsha. Come to Royal Skythia. Meet me there. We can talk more, get to know each other better.”

  Turning she embraced him, eyes shining, then her gaze dropped. “But what if Yagya will not come to the council? He has not made up his mind yet.”

  “Just tell me - will you come?” He asked.

  “Aye, if Yagya will agree.”

&nb
sp; “Then I will speak with him.”

  The nomad sensed he had hit the mark with this invitation. Even if their romance fizzled, he was offering her a chance to see new places, meet new people. Maybe even find members of her mother’s clan. Sorsha was a woman who needed action, who craved adventure in life. And something told him it was her destiny to see plenty of it.

  “Where is Yagya now?”

  “With his horses.” She pointed to the field where Sava had first met the Tauri king.

  “Come then.” He took her hand and she clasped it warmly.

  As they walked along he asked: “If Yagya is seriously considering a marriage proposal for you, why did he let you serve me at the wedding dance?”

  “After the dance started I told your serving girl I was taking over. I kept a scarf over part of my face at first. As the dance went on I let the scarf drop and Yagya saw me. I knew he would not embarrass his guest of honor by sending me away. Maybe Yagya would like a Tauri-Sauromatian alliance by marriage?” She tilted her head toward him, a shy smile in her golden brown, expressive eyes.

  “No doubt that entered his mind. Marriages make the strongest alliances.” Sava responded with an alluring grin and squeezed her hand.

  Ah. Sorsha repressed the impulse to taste his sensual lips right there.

  “And what about the race? How did you talk Yagya into letting you ride his prize horse?”

  “Oh Yagya asked me to ride the gray mare. He knows I ride her better than anyone. He told me to keep the scarf around my face at the start as a little surprise for you – if I won, Yagya could brag that even a Tauri woman can outride you Sauromatian men.”

  “Hah. You almost did. But then you are not just any Tauri woman. You rode her like a goddess. Long as I live I will never forget seeing you jump that mare, the way you just flowed with her. It was something to see.” Sliding his arm around Sorsha’s waist he squeezed her. She felt so comfortable against his side.

  They found King Yagya grooming another of his prize horses, a brilliant red chestnut gelding with a crooked lightning blaze down its face. Yagya gave them a passing glance then went back to grooming his horse.