| Fantasy Fiction posted April 10, 2025 | Chapters: |
...18 19 -20- 21... 
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Diantha and the Barton family prepare for the festival.
A chapter in the book Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man
Festival Morning
by davisr (Rhonda)
| Background A fanciful tale of adventure. Phoebus, son of Poseidon, is a god turned Centaur by Zeus. Diantha, is a young lady in peril. Together, they must face an evil foe, and make some difficult choices. |
Ending of Last Chapter:
Georgios nodded and placed his hand on his chin thoughtfully. "My mother told me when I was young that my father is actually a god cursed by Zeus to be a Centaur. Unlike her, he wasn't born that way. Somewhere, deep inside, is an immortal man. I'm afraid that's the secret your captor knew."
"How could that knowledge possibly be used to destroy him?" Diantha asked.
"I don't know, but it's the only weakness I can think of. I'm sorry for what happened to you in that shack. I can't begin to know what you went through. But, maybe, something good can come out of it. Let's get you back to Mary's house. We've got a big day ahead of us."
New Chapter Begins:
The morning started out much as all others since Diantha came to live with Mary. She listened to the movement of children and the clashing of pots and pans. She absorbed the aroma of breakfast cooking on a wood burning stove, and felt the warmth from the sun as it eased through the window of her room.
Today, however, was different. It held mystique beyond ordinary routine. It was Festival Day. There would be fun, frivolity, and, unfortunately, danger.
In spite of her desire to jump up and start getting dressed, she decided to take time to tweak plans she had begun to formulate.
Of course, most of the day would be entirely out of her control, but she felt preparing what she could might help stabilize the inevitable chaos. She knew Atrius and his captains would be doing the same... on a much bigger scale.
Unencumbered by generations of festival tradition, she could think of doing something daring, perhaps even desperate, instead of hiding with the other women. She knew her plans were dangerous beyond measure. Perhaps more perilous than being captured by Drake.
By the time she heard baby Hank whimpering in the room adjacent to hers, she had many pieces of her plan linked together. Calmly, she slipped into the nursery and rescued the youngest member of the Barton household just as he was starting to cry. She took him into the front room where the older girls and their mother prepared breakfast.
Mary smiled warmly as they arrived. Diantha thought it was awfully nice being part of a big family, and if there was any way she could help preserve it, she would.
"Thanks, honey," Mary said, reaching for the infant. "I had my hands full and couldn't get to him."
My pleasure," Diantha said. "I would feed him for you, but don't have the right equipment."
"Oh, you have the equipment," Mary laughed. "It's just not ready for business. But, I'll tell you what you can do if you don't mind."
"What?"
"Finish the eggs for me. I have everything else done. Tabitha and Brenda set the table a few minutes ago."
Diantha gladly prepared eggs the way Mary instructed, and when she had finished, called everyone to eat. They all sat at the table talking about the festival as though they hadn't a care in the world. Diantha looked back and forth between them wondering if anyone had a clue as to what lay ahead.
Burke had made it home to eat breakfast and avoided eye contact with Diantha as they ate. He must have known she'd been told what was going on.
It was at those times, surrounded by his family, Diantha thought about Brandon. Even though she wasn't completely sure of her feelings for the young man, he was an important part of the family, and his presence was missed.
Glancing down, she thought about a pretty white dress Mary had bought her the day before. It was hanging in her room on a hook. It was supposedly for the festival dance the next night, but it looked awfully like a wedding dress. The invitation to put it on and join this family permanently was a temptation that was becoming harder to resist.
Forefront of her thoughts was the time she'd spent in the treetops with Brandon. How graceful he had been as he danced amongst the leaves, and how patient when he taught her to move with him. So what if he didn't make her heart race every time he looked at her? At least he was stable, and she definitely needed that.
In Tennessee, her choices had been limited by her family, if they could be called choices. She was promised to a man she neither loved, or who loved her. Now, she had two men to choose from. Shouldn't that be better? She wasn't so sure.
After breakfast, Burke hitched the wagon for the women and saddled his own bay stallion, Valor, for himself. When he was through, he went inside to bid them good-bye.
Georgios nodded and placed his hand on his chin thoughtfully. "My mother told me when I was young that my father is actually a god cursed by Zeus to be a Centaur. Unlike her, he wasn't born that way. Somewhere, deep inside, is an immortal man. I'm afraid that's the secret your captor knew."
"How could that knowledge possibly be used to destroy him?" Diantha asked.
"I don't know, but it's the only weakness I can think of. I'm sorry for what happened to you in that shack. I can't begin to know what you went through. But, maybe, something good can come out of it. Let's get you back to Mary's house. We've got a big day ahead of us."
New Chapter Begins:
The morning started out much as all others since Diantha came to live with Mary. She listened to the movement of children and the clashing of pots and pans. She absorbed the aroma of breakfast cooking on a wood burning stove, and felt the warmth from the sun as it eased through the window of her room.
Today, however, was different. It held mystique beyond ordinary routine. It was Festival Day. There would be fun, frivolity, and, unfortunately, danger.
In spite of her desire to jump up and start getting dressed, she decided to take time to tweak plans she had begun to formulate.
Of course, most of the day would be entirely out of her control, but she felt preparing what she could might help stabilize the inevitable chaos. She knew Atrius and his captains would be doing the same... on a much bigger scale.
Unencumbered by generations of festival tradition, she could think of doing something daring, perhaps even desperate, instead of hiding with the other women. She knew her plans were dangerous beyond measure. Perhaps more perilous than being captured by Drake.
By the time she heard baby Hank whimpering in the room adjacent to hers, she had many pieces of her plan linked together. Calmly, she slipped into the nursery and rescued the youngest member of the Barton household just as he was starting to cry. She took him into the front room where the older girls and their mother prepared breakfast.
Mary smiled warmly as they arrived. Diantha thought it was awfully nice being part of a big family, and if there was any way she could help preserve it, she would.
"Thanks, honey," Mary said, reaching for the infant. "I had my hands full and couldn't get to him."
My pleasure," Diantha said. "I would feed him for you, but don't have the right equipment."
"Oh, you have the equipment," Mary laughed. "It's just not ready for business. But, I'll tell you what you can do if you don't mind."
"What?"
"Finish the eggs for me. I have everything else done. Tabitha and Brenda set the table a few minutes ago."
Diantha gladly prepared eggs the way Mary instructed, and when she had finished, called everyone to eat. They all sat at the table talking about the festival as though they hadn't a care in the world. Diantha looked back and forth between them wondering if anyone had a clue as to what lay ahead.
Burke had made it home to eat breakfast and avoided eye contact with Diantha as they ate. He must have known she'd been told what was going on.
It was at those times, surrounded by his family, Diantha thought about Brandon. Even though she wasn't completely sure of her feelings for the young man, he was an important part of the family, and his presence was missed.
Glancing down, she thought about a pretty white dress Mary had bought her the day before. It was hanging in her room on a hook. It was supposedly for the festival dance the next night, but it looked awfully like a wedding dress. The invitation to put it on and join this family permanently was a temptation that was becoming harder to resist.
Forefront of her thoughts was the time she'd spent in the treetops with Brandon. How graceful he had been as he danced amongst the leaves, and how patient when he taught her to move with him. So what if he didn't make her heart race every time he looked at her? At least he was stable, and she definitely needed that.
In Tennessee, her choices had been limited by her family, if they could be called choices. She was promised to a man she neither loved, or who loved her. Now, she had two men to choose from. Shouldn't that be better? She wasn't so sure.
After breakfast, Burke hitched the wagon for the women and saddled his own bay stallion, Valor, for himself. When he was through, he went inside to bid them good-bye.
He hugged and kissed the children, and spent extra time hugging Mary. Finally, when he released her, Diantha thought she saw a shadow of a tear running down Mary's cheek. She thought there might be one on hers as well.
Before he left, he gave Diantha a hug, too. Leaning in, he whispered. "Remember to turn the filly out before you leave so she can find you in need. Atrius said to tell you not to do anything stupid, that you are an amateur at best. His words, not mine. He also wanted to remind you of what happened last night."
"Thanks," she whispered back, "but you can tell him not to count on anything. I don't mind well."
Burke laughed quietly. "He said you would say something like that. I told him I thought so, too."
Neither of them commented on the fact Georgios had shared the story of what had happened in the cabin. They both understood the need to communicate, and the reality of living in a small community.
Burke waved once more and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mary, Tabitha and Diantha worked to get everyone ready and into the wagon. Before they all finished loading, Diantha excused herself to go to the barn. Once there, she opened the door to Champion's stall and stroked her face. Champion nodded her head gently and nuzzled Diantha's neck.
"Big day ahead of us, girl," Diantha said, "but you probably know more about that than I do. I really wish I could fully understand what you say, but I guess a lot of people wish that about their horses. One day, I'll figure it all out. Until then, we'll just have to continue like humans and horses have for centuries. Atrius says to call for you if I need your help. I plan to do that, okay?"
Champion nodded softly, and Diantha took that as a, yes. She patted her on the muzzle, and turned to leave. Before she had taken a step, Champion snorted loudly. Startled, Diantha turned around. She was surprised to see the young horse pawing the ground.
"What is it, girl?" Diantha asked as she returned to Champion.
Champion snorted again and tapped her foot as though trying to draw her mistress's attention to an object.
Diantha saw something shiny sticking out of the disturbed dirt. She bent down, and dug around the area, pushing soil out of the way. She removed a golden necklace with an interesting medallion dangling from it.
The image on the front was of a goddess with long flowing hair and a bow and arrow in her hand. She seemed ready for battle. Diantha turned it over and inspected the back. There was an inscribed image of a Centaur, his bent bow pointing straight at the sky. It wasn't hard to figure out who that was.
"I'd better take this to Mary," she said.
Champion nodded, then headed out of the stall. Diantha took that to mean she was ready to perform her duties for the day. A day neither one of them could possibly predict. She smiled at the horse, and turned to leave.
"Come on, Miss Diantha," little 5-year-old Tommy called out. "We're gonna be late."
"Don't call her, Miss Diantha," older brother Brice scolded. "She's our new sister. Aren't you Diantha?"
"Of course," she said, climbing in. She could live with that notion, whoever she ended up with.
"See, Tommy," Brice said. "I told you so."
"You kids be quiet," Mary said firmly. "You're going to make the horses nervous, and then they'll give you a bumpy ride."
The boys' eyes grew big and they fell quiet. Apparently, they didn't like bumpy carriage rides. Diantha sat beside Brenda, placing the bow and quiver of arrows she got from Atrius on the seat beside her. As she looked at the intimidating set of weapons, she felt a thrill rush through her. While she regretted not having had more time to practice with them, she felt comforted by their presence.
"Mary," Diantha began as the horses plodded down the road, "I found a necklace in the dirt of the barn I want you to look at."
Mary held out her hand as Diantha reached into the pocket in her pants and dug out the necklace she'd found. Mary squinted her eyes and held it up to the sun. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I've never seen it before," she said, handing it back to Diantha. "Where did you say you found it?"
"It was on the floor of the barn. I'd gone to pet Champion before we left and found it partially buried in the dirt. Where do you think it came from?"
"I have no idea, but it's lovely," Mary said.
"Did you notice the picture of the woman with long hair and a bow and arrow? Do you think she's a goddess?"
"I wouldn't be at all surprised," Mary said.
"You said you've read some of Atrius' books. Were any of them about the gods?
"Several."
"Which goddess would you guess is depicted on the medallion?"
"Probably Athena," Mary said.
"That would be my guess too," Tabitha said, leaning over to look. "We studied Greek mythology in school. It's kind of a big topic here in Concorde Valley."
Diantha chuckled. "I should think it would be. I studied it in school, too. Well, it's your necklace, Mary. Maybe it was sent to bid you good luck today."
"Or you," Mary said. "You found it. You keep it. Put it on and wear it to the contests today. We'll see if it brings you luck."
"Ok, thanks, but if you want it back later, I'll give it to you."
"I won't." Mary's expression was kind and gentle. It was obvious she was beginning to love the waif from across the mountain. "Wear it proudly."
Diantha complied, wondering if Atrius had left it the other night when they had spoken in the barn. Why would he, though? An expensive gift like this should have been shared openly.
She held the medallian part in her hand as the horse and wagon made its way through the narrow residential streets towards the arena.
Before he left, he gave Diantha a hug, too. Leaning in, he whispered. "Remember to turn the filly out before you leave so she can find you in need. Atrius said to tell you not to do anything stupid, that you are an amateur at best. His words, not mine. He also wanted to remind you of what happened last night."
"Thanks," she whispered back, "but you can tell him not to count on anything. I don't mind well."
Burke laughed quietly. "He said you would say something like that. I told him I thought so, too."
Neither of them commented on the fact Georgios had shared the story of what had happened in the cabin. They both understood the need to communicate, and the reality of living in a small community.
Burke waved once more and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mary, Tabitha and Diantha worked to get everyone ready and into the wagon. Before they all finished loading, Diantha excused herself to go to the barn. Once there, she opened the door to Champion's stall and stroked her face. Champion nodded her head gently and nuzzled Diantha's neck.
"Big day ahead of us, girl," Diantha said, "but you probably know more about that than I do. I really wish I could fully understand what you say, but I guess a lot of people wish that about their horses. One day, I'll figure it all out. Until then, we'll just have to continue like humans and horses have for centuries. Atrius says to call for you if I need your help. I plan to do that, okay?"
Champion nodded softly, and Diantha took that as a, yes. She patted her on the muzzle, and turned to leave. Before she had taken a step, Champion snorted loudly. Startled, Diantha turned around. She was surprised to see the young horse pawing the ground.
"What is it, girl?" Diantha asked as she returned to Champion.
Champion snorted again and tapped her foot as though trying to draw her mistress's attention to an object.
Diantha saw something shiny sticking out of the disturbed dirt. She bent down, and dug around the area, pushing soil out of the way. She removed a golden necklace with an interesting medallion dangling from it.
The image on the front was of a goddess with long flowing hair and a bow and arrow in her hand. She seemed ready for battle. Diantha turned it over and inspected the back. There was an inscribed image of a Centaur, his bent bow pointing straight at the sky. It wasn't hard to figure out who that was.
"I'd better take this to Mary," she said.
Champion nodded, then headed out of the stall. Diantha took that to mean she was ready to perform her duties for the day. A day neither one of them could possibly predict. She smiled at the horse, and turned to leave.
"Come on, Miss Diantha," little 5-year-old Tommy called out. "We're gonna be late."
"Don't call her, Miss Diantha," older brother Brice scolded. "She's our new sister. Aren't you Diantha?"
"Of course," she said, climbing in. She could live with that notion, whoever she ended up with.
"See, Tommy," Brice said. "I told you so."
"You kids be quiet," Mary said firmly. "You're going to make the horses nervous, and then they'll give you a bumpy ride."
The boys' eyes grew big and they fell quiet. Apparently, they didn't like bumpy carriage rides. Diantha sat beside Brenda, placing the bow and quiver of arrows she got from Atrius on the seat beside her. As she looked at the intimidating set of weapons, she felt a thrill rush through her. While she regretted not having had more time to practice with them, she felt comforted by their presence.
"Mary," Diantha began as the horses plodded down the road, "I found a necklace in the dirt of the barn I want you to look at."
Mary held out her hand as Diantha reached into the pocket in her pants and dug out the necklace she'd found. Mary squinted her eyes and held it up to the sun. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I've never seen it before," she said, handing it back to Diantha. "Where did you say you found it?"
"It was on the floor of the barn. I'd gone to pet Champion before we left and found it partially buried in the dirt. Where do you think it came from?"
"I have no idea, but it's lovely," Mary said.
"Did you notice the picture of the woman with long hair and a bow and arrow? Do you think she's a goddess?"
"I wouldn't be at all surprised," Mary said.
"You said you've read some of Atrius' books. Were any of them about the gods?
"Several."
"Which goddess would you guess is depicted on the medallion?"
"Probably Athena," Mary said.
"That would be my guess too," Tabitha said, leaning over to look. "We studied Greek mythology in school. It's kind of a big topic here in Concorde Valley."
Diantha chuckled. "I should think it would be. I studied it in school, too. Well, it's your necklace, Mary. Maybe it was sent to bid you good luck today."
"Or you," Mary said. "You found it. You keep it. Put it on and wear it to the contests today. We'll see if it brings you luck."
"Ok, thanks, but if you want it back later, I'll give it to you."
"I won't." Mary's expression was kind and gentle. It was obvious she was beginning to love the waif from across the mountain. "Wear it proudly."
Diantha complied, wondering if Atrius had left it the other night when they had spoken in the barn. Why would he, though? An expensive gift like this should have been shared openly.
She held the medallian part in her hand as the horse and wagon made its way through the narrow residential streets towards the arena.
 Recognized |
The AI image of women and children in a wagon is from Chatgpt.
Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics.
White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family. Her Horse Name is Champion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. He is cursed by Zeus and sent to Concorde Valley as a Centaur.
Atrius: Pseudonym of Phoebus. He has amnesia from his youth and was renamed by a caretaker. Now lives in Concorde Valley. He has many roles, including their King, doctor, military leader, father, and, in his words, a bit of a magician.
Georgios: Atrius' son from his first wife, which was a Centaur. Georgios walks on two feet, but has animal-like characteristics.
Mary Burton: The wife of Atrius' captain, Burke. She is Diantha's caretaker and new friend. She has 6 children, and is a midwife.
Burke: One of Atrius' captains, husband of Mary
Brandon: Mary's handsome little brother who works with his father, Burke in the guard.
He's a romantic interest of Diantha's, but one she feels pushed into a relationship with.
Tabitha: Mary's oldest child, 14-year-old and helps her mother as a midwife
Brenda: Mary's 12-year-old daughter. Also helps deliver babies, but is still in school
Brice: Mary's 8-year-old son
Tommy: Mary's 5-year-old son
Carter: Mary's 2-year-old son
Hank: Mary's 6 month old baby.
Caracki: Long time enemies of the Concordians
Drake: Caracki Specter holding Diantha hostage in a shack
Agatha: Female companion of Drake.
Eudora: Youngest daughter of Zeus and Hera - She's spoiled and petulant and purely made up on my part. She's also the indirect reason Phoebus is turned into a Centaur.
Eternal: Phoebus' favorite black stallion. A gift from Poseidon to get his youngest son started in horse breeding. He's an immortal and hopefully the father of Phoebus' planned bloodline.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics.
White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family. Her Horse Name is Champion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. He is cursed by Zeus and sent to Concorde Valley as a Centaur.
Atrius: Pseudonym of Phoebus. He has amnesia from his youth and was renamed by a caretaker. Now lives in Concorde Valley. He has many roles, including their King, doctor, military leader, father, and, in his words, a bit of a magician.
Georgios: Atrius' son from his first wife, which was a Centaur. Georgios walks on two feet, but has animal-like characteristics.
Mary Burton: The wife of Atrius' captain, Burke. She is Diantha's caretaker and new friend. She has 6 children, and is a midwife.
Burke: One of Atrius' captains, husband of Mary
Brandon: Mary's handsome little brother who works with his father, Burke in the guard.
He's a romantic interest of Diantha's, but one she feels pushed into a relationship with.
Tabitha: Mary's oldest child, 14-year-old and helps her mother as a midwife
Brenda: Mary's 12-year-old daughter. Also helps deliver babies, but is still in school
Brice: Mary's 8-year-old son
Tommy: Mary's 5-year-old son
Carter: Mary's 2-year-old son
Hank: Mary's 6 month old baby.
Caracki: Long time enemies of the Concordians
Drake: Caracki Specter holding Diantha hostage in a shack
Agatha: Female companion of Drake.
Eudora: Youngest daughter of Zeus and Hera - She's spoiled and petulant and purely made up on my part. She's also the indirect reason Phoebus is turned into a Centaur.
Eternal: Phoebus' favorite black stallion. A gift from Poseidon to get his youngest son started in horse breeding. He's an immortal and hopefully the father of Phoebus' planned bloodline.
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