I hear him snort air like a deer."He's a cautious one."
"Yes."
"How do you catch him?"
"We usually herd him up, but he might come to me when we go to the practice field."
"Do I need to do anything to help?"
"No.He either will or he won't."
"He's not trained like a dog then?"I can't help the poke.
Aurei chuckles, "No, only Flash comes when you whistle."
"That's right, because I'm the Horse Whistler," I say, making Aurei chuckle again.
We casually stroll down the path, arm in arm, and I glance back.When Caesar steps out of the shadows into the sunshine, all I can say is, "Holy Hades."
He is a beast!His long, arched neck holds his well-chiseled head high.His shoulders are powerful, and he measures every inch of 68 inches at the withers.His muscular body has strong, sloping hindquarters.His thick mane and tail are long and wavy but unkempt and full of twigs.Still..."Grandeur" is the first word that pops into my brain as he makes his way to the path.When he steps onto it, I see his long, silky hair on the bottom half of his legs.
Wow!He is every bit a stud as his master."Aurei, he is black and beautifully wild," I whisper as I turn to watch the elegance and grace of this magnificent beast following us."And Caesar suits him."
"I'm afraid I have neglected him trying to tame another Wild Thang's tail.He needs a bath and a brush.Bad!"He winks that killer wink.
We walk the rest of the way in silence, and now and then, I look over my shoulder to see if Caesar is still there.Aurei never looks back.Caesar keeps the exact distance between us.When the trees begin to thin, Aurei slows down, then stops before we reach the edge.Curiosity gets the better of me, and I walk forward alone a few more yards leaving the path behind and stepping out from the woods into full sunshine.The sight before me takes my breath away.
Standing at the top of a small hill, the practice area spreads before me.Looking down into a natural bowl-shaped valley with a flat floor.Bright green grass covers everything except the center circle—a small retaining wall defines the arena area.There are a few aged trees that provide adequate shade sprinkled around.I stand stunned by the sheer beauty and majesty of it.I turn around to tell Aurei, but he isn't there.Neither is Caesar.
They are making their way down the gentle slope on the right side.Caesar is right on his heels now, following like a faithful friend.Aurei smiles at me when he sees me watching with my hands to my mouth.I can't help the feeling that wells up inside me at the picturesque sight of my Golden God and his Dark Warhorse.
He's my hero.How did I ever exist without him?
When they reach the circle, Aurei continues through a small break in the wall to the center, but Caesar hesitates and stands at the edge.Aurei turns to face him.He doesn't try to coax him.He simply stares with respect, and Caesar appears to be doing the same.His head is held high, and like his master's, his posture is also perfect.Then Caesar drops his head and sniffs the ground where Aurei entered.For a moment, I think that he will begin to graze, but then he paws the ground.I smile because I know the horse is thinking hard about giving in and going in.I walk down the slope to sit under one of the trees to watch and wait.
No telling how long Caesar will take to decide.Wild and free or tamed and controlled.I know how you feel, buddy.I know how you feel!
When Caesar finally steps in, he walks with his head down.Aurei holds his hand out now, and when Caesar stands before him, he raises his head and sniffs it.
I know how you feel now too.I can't resist him either.
Aurei rolls his hand over very carefully and rests it on the side of Caesar's face as he eases up to the big horse.His head drops, and I know he is whispering soft words of love to him.As he reaches for Caesar's neck, he drops his shoulder and allows the rope to slide off onto his forearm and then into his hand.Caesar's head jerks and bobs, but he doesn't bolt.He stands tall and proud.His tangled mane, fluffed from freedom, gives him a look of pure power.As Aurei runs the rope up along his withers, Caesar flares his nostrils and tosses his head, but he stands still.Aurei neither hurries nor flinches.His calm and control settle Caesar down as the rope falls over the horse's neck.Aurei strokes him as he reaches around to grasp the other end, and just like that, Caesar is caught.Aurei puts the halter on with one hand while holding the rope with the other and then leads him to the edge of the arena.
The bonding between them was poetry in motion, and I feel honored to have witnessed it.
Aurei calls up to me."Come down and meet my faithful friend."
"I thought the same thing about him, a faithful friend," I tell myself out loud as I make my way down the slope.When I step over the wall, I walk over to them, then stop and let Caesar check me out.Aurei is holding his head and rubbing his jaw.His ears are at full attention as he eyeballs me.When he settles down, I approach and stand beside him.He sniffs me, blowing his heavy breath over my clothes and skin.When he is satisfied, he nuzzles Aurei and ignores me."He's even more beastly beautiful closeup."
"He is a beast, but like I said, he is beautiful after a bath and a brush."He laughs.
Leaving the practice area to take Caesar to the stable, Aurei explains as he points across the property."We only practice here.We hold the Celebration Battles in the actual arena over there."
"Oh!Really?You mean you and Antonio actually fight?"
"The battle is more a friendly battle of wits rather than actual fighting.We are careful not to hurt our opponent, but yes, you will see one, but not necessarily between Antonio and me.We draw straws to see who fights."
He looks at me, and I roll my fingers."Come on.Keep talking.I'm all ears."
