The rest of the session taught Britta another section to add onto the pattern dance, and by the time they had learned that it was dusk. She rolled out her shoulders and wondered if Diana felt as tired. Holding back a yawn, she noted the Fox's instructions to complete the pattern dance every moment they got, and was so tired that she couldn't muster up any enthusiasm at the fact they would be learning something new the next day. When they were released, Britta made her way to the food-court, filled a plate with food and walked wearily back to the cabin. Diana was already there, eating her food hungrily.

"Hey" she said as Britta sat down.

"How was it?" She answered.

"They'll make us train up high soon." She sighed.

"We'll get you used to heights soon enough." Said Britta. "I'm going to get up earlier this morning to go see the stallion, then I'll wake you up and we'll go for a ride, leave our horses at a place where they can graze and run to the cliff. If you climb it then you can have a wash in the stream."

Diana gritted her teeth. "Fine."

"You do want to do this don't you?" Said Britta. "Because if you decide to leave now then I don't think I'm coming. There were a few moments today when everything just felt right. Everything was where it should be and this is where I'm meant to be."

"You've only been here a day." Said Diana, amused. "But I know what you mean, and no, I'm not going to leave."

They finished the food and Britta took the plates up and hurried back. She didn't encounter anyone who talked to them and was pleased with how well they were fitting in. She and Diana found their way to the well near the back of the camp. Bracing herself on the uneven ground, Britta set to work hauling up the bucket. It came up easier than the one at the Abbey, making her realise the state of disrepair it had been in. Diana filled up a rough wooden bowl with the water, balancing it carefully as they walked back to their cabin. She set it on her bedside table and Britta splashed water onto her face before climbing into bed. Though she could hear the noise of others up, she knew that if she wanted to continue with the morning routine she had designed, then she needed a good night's sleep to rest her sore muscles.

In the morning she woke up suddenly as if someone had yelled in her ear. It was earlier than the other day and her eyes were groggy with sleep. She glanced over at Diana, the lines in her forehead smoothed over with sleep. Britta smiled slightly and the walked over to the bowl of water they had put between their beds the previous night and splashed some on her face. More alert, she tied the shirt she wore at night back around her waist and pulled on her armour. Now they knew the basics of riding, they would be spending the whole day learning about their weapons and exercising. She stretched and then silently practiced the whole pattern dance until she got it without any mistakes. It didn't take long and her body remembered the movement from the previous day.

Britta then wished herself luck, pushed open the window and made her way to the stables around the big house. She had to climb through another window to get into the stallion's stall. He balked when he saw her sudden entry and pranced backwards, his large hooves leaving dinner-tray sized prints stamped in the manure-covered floor. Britta stepped forwards warily, trying not to imagine those very hooves stamping down on her.

"It's okay, I just want to talk to you." She bit her lip when she realised she'd spoken normally. She stopped and listened to his fast breathing and saw the whites of his eyes. He was scared and ready to rear up and neigh loudly. Britta concentrated. "Shhh," She said, and this time it came out as a soft nicker.

"Can you understand me?"

"Can you understand me? Leave, human, leave me alone, you will not ride me. I will not be ridden."

Britta shook her head and held her hands out in front of her. "I have nothing here to hurt you." She said. "I am here to free you. The others get impatient. One day they will decide you are not worth the hay they feed you if you cannot be ridden. But if you let me ride you, you will never feel the whip again, you will run every morning with me, you will get fresh grass and a clean stall."

"Want freedom." He said, massive head drooping. "Am dirty in here, is disgusting. Cuts fester and burn."

"I can treat those also. I know you are a strong horse and you deserve better than this place"

"I want to run."

"I know, you can run with me. Every morning I will ride you. You can stretch your legs. I can clean you and your stables, you will be the best out of them all."

"Just free. Proud."

"What is your name?"

"Give name only if trust you."

"Please. Please trust me. I want to help you."

Britta felt as if she needed to help him. In the semi-darkness, she could see the huge form of the stallion. She guessed he was around twenty hands and from what she could see he was a dark dappled grey. She took a soft step closer. Ignoring the stench of the stall, she looked into his eyes. They were electric blue. Reaching out she brushed a hand against his nose.

"Promise me..." She whispered. "....If I let you out you won't run away. I will take you out and give you a brush, then, then if you let me ride you we will stop at a meadow and you can eat fresh grass and stretch your legs. But promise me you won't leave."

He blew a gentle breath across her nose. "You are a mare. Why are you here in the clothes of a stallion?"

Britta stopped for a moment. "Because I believe a mare can do the same as a stallion."

"My name is Thunder, and you will be my rider, filly or not."

Britta smiled. "Let's get you cleaned up." She didn't reach for a halter and instead reached for the latch and pulled it open. The stallion arced his neck proudly and stepped out he followed Britta to the brushes and Britta pulled down the gear.

"Let's go outside. It stinks in here."

He pushed eagerly against her as she opened the door to the dawn sky. Britta gasped when she saw his solid form. He was well muscled but still somehow graceful. His blue eyes stood out against dark grey, dappled fur. He was so tall Britta couldn't reach his withers to brush them. Then, to her surprise Thunder knelt and Britta could see his back, crossed with whip marks. On impulse, she threw a leg over his back and mounted him. Without a saddle or halter, she held on to his tangled mane and bit back a shout of amazement when he stood up and, swift as the wind, rushed into the forest.

Britta leaned down closer to him and felt the blood coursing through their veins. The speed was terrifying and she had never felt so alive. She knew that Thunder felt as exuberated from his fast breathing and the wonder flowing off him. His hoof beats resounded in her ears, and she was no longer aware of where they were going.

When he finally slowed to a halt and knelt so Britta could slide off him she laughed and forgot to curb her mouth away from the vibrant smile it fell into.

"Yes. Your name is Thunder."

Then, as she turned she realised they were standing beside the training area and caught sight of Micah watching her, an unreadable expression on his face. Swiftly she wiped the smile off her face and stood straighter.

"Hello again um.... do I call you sir or what?" Britta remembered to keep her voice low this time.

"How are you riding that horse?" He asked.

Britta sighed inwardly. The expression was because of Thunder, not the slip in her masquerade.

"I talked to him." Then winced at that.

"Talked?"

"Yes, well, I mean I waited for him to trust me." Boldly she took a step closer. "The way you treated him was inexcusable. I will ride him now. I don't mind cleaning out the disgusting mess he was living in or the whip marks that you put on him since you couldn't do it yourself. But I will ride him because he lets me and if he lets others, they will ride him too, but it is his choice, just as it should be for every horse." Then as an afterthought, she added, "If that's okay."

"I can see you have.... feeling on this. If you can keep him clean and healthy." His eyes were stone cold and he looked at Britta with dislike. "I won't have you spreading these ideas around, Bren." Then walked swiftly away.

It took Britta a few moments to realise that he remembered his name from the day before and though she felt cold dislike at the way he had allowed Thunder to be treated, she felt pleased. Thunder promptly began grazing, his movement reminded Britta of her sister and she tapped Thunder on the shoulder.

"Can we go back and get Diana and Hoshi now?" Thunder surveyed her with his electric eyes and snorted.

"I'm not a common draft horse, I'll be grazing here."

Britta shrugged. "I was also going to get you something to clean those cuts and some wild carrots."

Thunder drew himself up imperiously. "Bring them here for me." He whinnied firmly.

Britta stuck out her tongue and brushed past him, but could not be truly mad as, with the brief contact, she felt his achy legs from the sudden exertion. She halted, surprised at the feelings which flowed through her. She set a hand on his flank and felt his pain again. Shaken she resisted the urge to experiment more and set off at a run.

Britta vaulted deftly through the window to wake up Diana. It was just after the time she had gotten up the previous day and still dim. A grin spread across her face and she dipped her fingers in the cold water and flicked them at Diana's face. She was quick to duck back when Diana jerked up, glaring at Britta through the semi-darkness.

"Time to get up sleepy head." Whispered Britta.

"I take it the stallion thing went successfully." Muttered Diana sleepily, scrubbing the water into her face. She was quick to change into her armour and follow Britta back out.

Where is he? Asked Diana, The Voice not disturbing the silence.

Oh, I went for a ride and met Micah and he was all 'how did you do this?' kinda thing and I told him he was and idiot for keeping a good horse in the conditions Thunder was living in and—

You yelled at the leader!!!

I called him Sir!

Ha, yeah, that's gonna help, so why isn't 'Thunder' Here?

Oh, he wanted to stay in the forest to graze so I decided I would take Hoshi out as well and give her a ride and bring him some medicine for his back and-

You let a wild horse lose in the forest and just expect to be able to find him?

I don't think he'll run. He was quite rude but he was sore from running, they didn't let him out much before.

How do you know that? Asked Diana sharply.

I felt it when I touched him. Said Britta stubbornly, refusing to let her sister tell her off for it.

Diana shook her head and pulled open the door to the tack shed. She and Britta went through the movements of saddling the horses mechanically.

Hello Hoshi. Said Britta, fumbling with the noseband.

You took Thunder. Where does he stay now?

He'll be back in that stall soon, I'll clean it at lunch. He is near the training area now, I thought you would like to graze there if we ride there, it doesn't have to be fast if you don't want.

Am ready to stretch will go happily.

Good, Said Britta and vaulted onto the smaller horses back.

She and Diana set out along the path to the training area and Britta was relieved to see Thunder grazing nearby. He nickered in greeting to Hoshi and Fawn and trotted briskly over to meet them. Britta smiled as he nosed them and then turned to Diana.

"The cliff is just near here, I was going to run, do you think you can keep up?"

Diana narrowed her eyes, "You bet." And then took off running.

Britta followed and they both kept at a comfortable pace until they were there. Britta felt a prick of unease from Diana, and in turn, hoped that her sister would one day master her fear. Britta put her hand on Diana's shoulder and scrambled up a small way before stopping and holding out her hand.

"You only have to go up a small way, and then a bit higher tomorrow." She coaxed. "I'm going to go for a run and when I come back we can go have that swim." Britta shot her a reassuring smile and then, as her sister took another step she added, "Or you can climb one of the trees near the edge. Use The Voice if you need to call me."

Diana nodded shakily. It was not often Britta told her what to do, but now Diana seemed happy to listen. Britta took off, climbing the cliff as easily as the day before although her hands were tender from the rough surface. When she got to the top she took off running. She got into the pine trees which sloped up the mountains and though she was out of breath she continued a bit more before turning around and running back.

When she got back to the top of the cliff, she had to sit still, drawing in huge gasps of air. Diana was just climbing down from a tree, looking pale, but proud of herself until she saw Britta.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Just give me a minute." Britta gasped, but the pressure in her chest wouldn't let up soon, she knew.

"Here." Said Diana. She had been on her knees, searching through the undergrowth, and now she held it to Britta. "Oregano." She said. "Maybe we can make tea for you to drink each morning, it might help prevent it."

"How'd it go?" Britta asked, between gasps of air. The herb was helping, even if it was just the calming effect the familiar smell had.

"I climbed this tree instead. I didn't go right to the top but I got high enough to see over enough of the other tree's to see where the pine tree's start."

Britta nodded. "The mountains are spectacular." She paused and took in a deep gulp of air. "We should start heading back if we want to fit a quick swim in." She said, feeling a little dizzy.

"Are you sure we won't be spotted?"

"Yesterday I checked all around and found no signs anyone had been there before. I think we'll be safe."

"Will we ride there?"

"If Thunder comes." Said Britta feeling doubtful.

They were quick to get back to the training area and, to Britta's relief, Thunder and Hoshi walked over. Diana climbed on Fawn and Britta stroked Hoshi but when Thunder knelt for her to get on him she was faced with the problem of how to communicate where she wanted to go. She found that leaning one way prompted Thunder to go that way, though she ended up talking to him to get better signals. She leaped lightly off when they got to the cold water of the stream and Britta was quick to scan the area for any signs that anyone was watching. To her satisfaction, she found no one and was quick to pull off her clothes and jump in. After a quick wash, Britta shook the water off herself and lay on the bank to dry. The moss was quick to soak up the water and the sun, now low in the sky was also.

"We should be getting back, we don't want to be late for our first day of training."

"Second."

"First full day then, come on."

Britta pulled her clothing back and pulled some plants from the river bank.

"I'll treat your cuts at lunch break, and clean your stable, we should get long enough." She said to Thunder hopping onto him as he bent down.

Diana shook her head. "I find it hard to believe no one could ride him." She said.

"Oh he didn't let them, he's hardly docile and I'm not trying to tame him, if one day he decides I can't ride then I couldn't."

Diana nodded, "I guess it's the same as Fawn, or any horse."

Britta laughed, "I think that Thunders a bit livelier than most!"

They rode swiftly back to camp and Britta gave both horses a brush down. Several people were up and Britta ignored the stares she got when the huge dark grey stallion followed her calmly back into his stall.

"I'm sorry you have to go back in there, I'll clean it out by lunch."

He whinnied and tossed his head.

"They won't come back and hurt you if they do then...." Britta didn't latch the stall either. "I'm trusting you, but I'll see if there's a paddock you can go into."

She turned to see the stable-hand from the day before.

"I'd never have believed it." He said, smiling wryly.

Britta nodded politely. "I'll be cleaning his stall at lunch break, is there a paddock they can go into for grazing?"

"There's no grass in there for grazing but it's not muddy. You'll still have to take him out."

"I would anyway. How often do you put them out there?"

"When they aren't being ridden as much, they're in the stalls for the first day but I put them back in the paddocks today. You only have riding every Monday. I'll help you take them over so I know where the paddocks are."

Britta nodded her thanks and hurried back to finish untacking Hoshi.

Then she and Diana were back outside.

"We should get breakfast." Said Diana, tilting her head as if she was sniffing the air.

Britta bit back a grin. "The food here is surprisingly good."

They were among the last to get their breakfast as they had done so much beforehand. Britta ate quickly, wiped out and put away her bowl and stood out in the courtyard and waited. She was quick to raise her dagger when she saw the Fox and he nodded at her, then stopped and waited. At Brittas puzzlement he said,

"Well, why aren't you practicing?"

"Oh," Britta launched herself into the pattern dance and he nodded when she was done.

"Good, you'll be surprised how many don't."

On impulse Britta caught his arm as he walked away, "Can you teach me more of these, I can see how they help improve movement, and you said you'll be teaching us something else today."

"You're eager. Come to me after dinner and we'll see."

"Where will you be?"

"You'll learn how to find out today." He said, flashing a smile, Britta barely had to think about keeping her face straight although she was feeling excited at the new learning. It was like a thirst, she wanted to get good at what she was doing. The abbey had never provided her with so many opportunities to learn. Now she had them she didn't plan on wasting them. She wanted to know.