| Fantasy Fiction posted February 25, 2025 | Chapters: |
...14 15 -16- 17... 
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An enchanted evening of tree walking comes to a close.
A chapter in the book Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man
The Tree Dance - Part 2
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. |
End of Last Chapter:
All of a sudden, Brandon stopped singing and stood still, holding her safely in his arms.
"Where are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"On a cobbled street," she answered. "The rocks are cool and colorful, and I am in the arms of the most talented dancer in the whole valley."
"Well, I don't know if I am the most talented," he said, "but probably the bravest."
"Hey, you said I was doing great."
"And you are. Remove the kerchief from your eyes and look down."
Cautiously, Diantha took off her blindfold, and looked at her feet. She gasped as she realized she was standing on a narrow branch high in the top of a tree. All around her were similar small branches on similar trees. For a second, she was dizzy from the heights and started to sway.
Calmly, reverantly, Brandon began to hum again. The melody from his voice was comforting, and she leaned against his firm body.
He put his arms around her and pulled her close. She wasn't afraid anymore. She had learned to walk in trees just as easily as she had learned to shoot a bow and arrow. Was it mere coincidence she had ended up in this peculiar valley hidden away from the rest of society?
At this moment, she didn't think so.
"Where are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"On a cobbled street," she answered. "The rocks are cool and colorful, and I am in the arms of the most talented dancer in the whole valley."
"Well, I don't know if I am the most talented," he said, "but probably the bravest."
"Hey, you said I was doing great."
"And you are. Remove the kerchief from your eyes and look down."
Cautiously, Diantha took off her blindfold, and looked at her feet. She gasped as she realized she was standing on a narrow branch high in the top of a tree. All around her were similar small branches on similar trees. For a second, she was dizzy from the heights and started to sway.
Calmly, reverantly, Brandon began to hum again. The melody from his voice was comforting, and she leaned against his firm body.
He put his arms around her and pulled her close. She wasn't afraid anymore. She had learned to walk in trees just as easily as she had learned to shoot a bow and arrow. Was it mere coincidence she had ended up in this peculiar valley hidden away from the rest of society?
At this moment, she didn't think so.
New Chapter Begins:
"You did it," Brandon said. "You soared like a lovely red cardinal."
"With your help."
"Still... You've done beautifully. I think you're ready for the next step. I'm going to back away, and I want you to walk to me."
"Are you crazy? Brandon you have to hold onto me. I'm all okay with the dancing thing, but we're way too high in this tree to just let go."
"Don't worry. Think about the cobbled street and what you've just experienced."
Before she had a chance to overthink things, Brandon let go and backed up.
Getting over the shock of the change in events, Diantha realized he was serious. She took a deep breath and thought about wide streets and singing birds.
She reached her hand towards his and he touched her fingertips. She took a guarded step forward, and then another, and another. Each time she stepped forward, he stepped backwards, until she was taking several steps on her own.
Apparently satisfied with her progress, he leapt to another branch and beckoned with his hand.
Diantha sputtered her disapproval. "Really, Brandon, this is too much. You need to get right back over here with me."
"Have I let you fall yet?"
"No, but if I do, there's no way you can catch me from over there."
"I'm quite agile. Why don't you test me? Lean forward and let yourself fall. See how fast I can move."
The stricken look on Diantha's face spoke more than any words she could come up with in protest.
Brandon gave her a quick bemused smile, then motioned, again, for her to join him.
Diantha considered stomping her foot defiantly, but changed her mind when she realized she was in no position to argue.
Brandon watched her changing expressions and winked mischievously. Diantha snarled back, but thought his attitude kind of made him look even more handsome.
"Jump to me," he repeated.
"Brandon you don't understand. I'm a terrible klutz."
"What's that?"
"A very ungraceful person. If I fall, I'm likely to take you down with me. For your own good, don't ask me to do this."
"Nice try, Diantha. Do you want me to put the handkerchief back over your eyes?" Brandon brandished the blindfold as evidence of his intention.
"Please don't."
"Then jump to me. Remember, cobbled streets and flying birds."
"That's not working now."
"Then just trust me. I promise I won't let you fall, nor will I let you knock me down."
"Okay, just remember I warned you."
Brandon didn't answer, but continued to hold out his hand and smile. Diantha took a deep breath and leapt. Very surprisingly, she landed firmly beside him. He did it again and again, and each time she landed safely.
The last time it happened, he put his arms around her and kissed her cheek above the reopened wound. The kiss was innocent and sweet, but served to stoke her inner turmoil.
"Now, we dance again," he said, as though oblivious to the effect the kiss had on Diantha.
She closed her eyes as he began to sing the lovely tune from earlier.
"You'll have to open them this time," Brandon said, pausing his song. "You need to watch where you're stepping."
"Good point."
With a giggle, Diantha opened her eyes and let the beautiful sound of his voice envelop her. Before she knew it, she was dancing through the treetops with him as easily as if they were on a dance floor. She hardly felt her feet as she landed on branches, some so thin she didn't know how they managed her weight.
Finally, once the shadows from the full moon grew long, they ended their strange moonlit aerobatics.
Brandon helped her out of the very tree they had started in, and held her close once more.
"Thank you," Diantha said and meant it. "That has to be one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life."
"You're quite welcome. I enjoyed it even more. Before we end, though, let's try the tree mount again. Maybe this time, you'll have more luck."
"Ok, I'm game," Diantha agreed. "Tonight anything seems possible."
Brandon leapt gracefully into the tree and then held out his hand for her. She took a hopping step, braced her hand on the lowest branch and pushed up. She was amazed at how quickly she was able to join her companion. Was there anything in this valley that wasn't going to surprise her?
Brandon took her hand and gazed into her eyes as though trying to read her thoughts.
"Diantha," he began, "It has been such a pleasure to work with you. You're talented and willing to learn new things, even if they're hard. I know we've only recently met, but I'm finding myself developing deep feelings for you."
"Brandon," Diantha broke in, "I've had a really good time, too, marvelous, even, but I've just gotten here and I'm not ready for a relationship."
Brandon nodded. "I know you just came out of a horrible situation with a man you didn't really love. I don't want you to feel that way with me. It's just I do want you to know where my heart is."
Diantha nodded her understanding. "Thank you for your honesty. Now let me return the favor. You've touched my heart in many ways, and I confess I'm attracted to you. Beyond that, I can't promise anything."
Brandon nodded in his turn. "I'm fine with that. But later, when I'm not around making you feel coerced, please think about me and what I've said."
Diantha met his gaze. "I don't want to lose your friendship, or forget this night... ever. It might be you're the perfect person for me, but there are some things I need to work out first."
"Of course, but I didn't want to go into battle without making you aware of how I feel."
"You've more than done that," Diantha said quietly. "The dance, alone, spoke to my heart. Oh, and what language were you singing? Was that horse? Atrius says I need to learn to talk to horses."
"No, not horse. They have a much coarser sound. That was sparrow."
"Sparrow? I didn't think they would sound that sweet."
"Have you ever really listened to them?" Brandon asked.
"I guess not."
"Well, you have now. That's one reason we love them so much in Concorde Valley."
Diantha nodded recognition. "Thank you for sharing it with me."
Brandon hugged her again. "I know you're tired and have a big day ahead tomorrow. I, myself, need to be in quarters. Atrius has us all bivouacked ahead of the games. "
Diantha graced him with a smile. "Well, blame me if he says anything to you. He was the one who wanted you to teach me to tree walk."
Brandon's eyes met hers. "He knows where I am, and I doubt he'll get mad."
He hopped out of the tree, and helped Diantha down as well. Taking her by the hand, he walked with her in the moonlight back into his sister's backyard. Once there, he faced her again.
"I won't be able to make it back before the festival," he said. "As your instructor, I deem you proficient in tree climbing and archery. The attack is supposed to occur about midmorning. If all goes well, we'll join you and the other women before the day is out."
"And if it doesn't go well?"
Brandon paused. "Then God help us all."
 Recognized |
AI images are from IZEA.
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.
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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.
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
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.
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
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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