Exceptional Danger forces Diantha and Cassie apart. Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man : A Parting of Friends by davisr (Rhonda)

Warning: The author has noted that this contains the highest level of violence. 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. End of Last Chapter:    The two girls trotted their horses toward a wooded trail behind the ranch home belonging to Diantha's family. As they had done since they were children, they plodded along and pretended the world was a fair and beautiful place. They felt the morning sun warm their faces, and listened to the echoing sound of birds exchanging songs as had been done for generations. Once more they were two friends out enjoying a spring day together. If only it could have stayed that way.   Beginning of New Chapter:   "I'll race you to the windmill," Cassie said. She kicked her horse and headed toward their favorite landmark. "You can race, but you can't win," Diantha responded, as she had so many times before. It didn't take more than a nudge to encourage the nimble racehorse into action. On what seemed to be the wings of Hermes, himself, White Lightning leapt forward, leaving Cassie and Nutmeg in a shower of fertile Tennessee soil. As soon as they arrived at the windmill, Lightning came to an abrupt halt and whirled around as though waiting for the others to catch up. Diantha could almost imagine a grin on the filly's young face. "What just happened?" Cassie asked. Diantha brushed her unruly hair out of her eyes. "I have no idea. I just touched her sides with my heel and the next thing I knew I was sitting here waiting on you." Cassie shook her head in disbelief. "That's crazy. What was it like?" "Exhilarating," Diantha said. "Like riding the wind." "Oh, girl, you are so going to have to let me try her out." "I'll make you a deal. You can ride White Lightning if you won't talk about my future anymore." "I don't know if I can promise that," Cassie said, "But I'll try, if you promise to think about what I've said." Diantha sighed and subconsciously stroked her forehead in a gesture of self-comfort. "I think about it all the time." Seemingly aware of the growing anxiety in Diantha's body language, Cassie nodded. "You've let your parents run your life for too long. Protecting and being concerned is normal, controlling your future just isn't their job." "I know, but..." "But I agreed to drop it, so I will. Love you, girl. I'll always be here for you." Little did she know that promise would be short lived. Diantha nodded back and smiled. The two friends set off down a trail that stretched away from the windmill and skirted the outer edge of a deep forest, marking the beginning of the Governor's property.           They hadn't gone far before they were joined by a rider on a huge bay stallion. It wasn't unheard of for other riders to use the path, but it was rare. "Good morning," the man began. He tipped his brown cowboy hat to Diantha and Cassie. "Good morning," Diantha replied through pursed lips. "Can I help you?" "No, I was just out riding and heard your voices. I decided to see if you'd mind some company." "Actually," Diantha said, "my father has a rule about my riding with people he doesn't know. He's very protective." "As well he should be," the man said. "You never know when a stranger might be up to no good." "I'm glad you understand, so if you would excuse us, we'll continue alone." "I'll tell you what," he continued, "I'll keep an eye on you by riding along and making sure no one bothers you." Cassie stared at the burly man. "I think my friend wants you to leave." "Does she really? Well, pardon me for intruding. I heard this was a public trail. I didn't want to ride alone on such a beautiful morning. But, if you really want me to go, I guess I have no other choice." "I guess not," Cassie said. The dark-haired man reined his horse in as though to leave, and then stopped.       "You're Diantha Evans, aren't you?" he asked. "Yes." "The governor's daughter?" "Yes." "Oh, then I can't leave. I was sent here to see you by a mutual friend." "Oh, who?" "Diantha, let's go," Cassie urged, tugging on her best friend's sleeve. "I have a bad feeling." "Do you?" the man asked. "Then leave. I'm not here for you." For a moment frozen in time, the three equestrians sat still, only their eyes traveling around the circle they had made. The man's countenance betrayed a mixture of scorn and amusement, but his blue eyes were dispassionate in the manner of a hired sociopath. Cassie's eyes were protective, indignant, Diantha's fearful and resigned. "Diantha go," Cassie said. She carefully maneuvered Nutmeg between the man and her friend. "Get out of here, now."       "Why?" Diantha asked. "I can't leave you here with this guy." "Because you're worth a lot of money, young lady," the man said, "And it appears your friend has a greater understanding of that fact than you do." He maintained his former stance, not guiding his horse either direction and not showing any concern about Cassie's movement between them. "I'm here to take you with me." "Well, I'm not going," Diantha said. She raised her chin defiantly, but her face still showed practiced submission. Again, there was a tense silence and then, so quickly the girls didn't have time to react, the man drew a gun out of his saddle bag and aimed it at Diantha's head.   In that same moment, Nutmeg reared and struck out with her right forehoof, catching the edge of the gun. It fired and the old mare fell to the ground with a thud, pinning Cassie's leg beneath. Diantha looked on in horror as the scene unfolded. What should she do? "Diantha, go!" Cassie ordered again. "We're both okay." She picked up a rock and threw it at White Lightning, who ignored her. Nutmeg raised her head and screamed something to the filly. White Lightning bobbed her head and whinnied back. Turning to face the woods, she ran with the speed she was bred for and according to the fire in her soul. Recognized Author Notes Diantha is portrayed here as submissive and indecisive. It is intentional. She is a flawed character that will grow throughout the story and deal with the growing knowledge that she has choices and a voice. All AI Images from IZEA. I started this book several years ago. I didn't get past the prologue as live events intervened and I was off for a while. I wrote the sequel to it on here first, and am now going back to the original as a prequel. Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics. Cassie: Diantha's childhood best friend. Tries to talk her out of making a bad choice marrying someone she doesn't love. Wilson: Diantha's fiance. Rich, well connected, but doesn't love Diantha. The feeling is mutual. White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family Nutmeg: Diantha's childhood horse and Cassie's ride for the morning walk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. 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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