Flight

by Vanessa Harbour

  Jakob noticed how different their uniforms were. They had shorter jackets with myriad pockets, trousers tucked into their boots and funny rounded helmets, all in olive green. A battle-worn officer walked towards the Director and saluted. Not the Nazi salute pointing at the sky. Jakob decided he much preferred this one.

  ‘Sir, we’d like permission to look round.’

  The Director stepped to one side. ‘The Schloss is not mine; it belongs to the Countess.’

  The Countess stepped forward. She looked tiny. Jakob noticed her pulling at the buttons on her cardigan. He wondered if she was nervous.

  ‘My apologies, Countess. I’m Lieutenant Colonel Smith and I’ve been tasked by General Walker with setting up a Brigade HQ, which, with your permission, we’d like to do here. This is a good few miles behind the lines now and safe. It is ideal strategically.’ He looked around. ‘Plus, it is very beautiful.’ The soldier nodded his head in acknowledgement and apology.

  ‘My home is open to you and your men. Please come inside.’

  A soldier came running out of the stables, interrupting them. ‘Holy mackerel, sir, there’s a mass of white horses in here!’ he shouted with a twang.

  ‘Really?’ Lieutenant Colonel Smith turned to another officer. ‘Major Wright, go and see what he’s talking about.’

  Heinz grabbed at Jakob’s arm. ‘Check they’re all right,’ he whispered. ‘Be with the stallions, otherwise they might get upset.’

  Jakob caught Kizzy’s hand. They slipped round the back into the stalls. The stallions were prancing around, unsettled.

  ‘Boys, it’ll be all right,’ said Jakob. He moved from horse to horse, talking quietly, stroking foreheads and patting their necks. Kizzy did the same, whispering all the time.

  Major Wright joined Jakob in Raluca’s stall and patted the stallion by his withers. ‘Am I mad, or are these Lipizzaners?’

  ‘Yes, they are, sir. The Director evacuated some of them from Vienna, and we brought others across the mountains.’

  The officer seemed really comfortable around horses. His eyes were kind as he looked over the stallions. Jakob relaxed.

  ‘You speak English?’ Major Wright noticed.

  Maybe Heinz’s classes weren’t such a waste. Jakob smiled. ‘Yes, a little, my guardian insisted I learnt English and French. Said it would be useful.’

  The Major nodded. ‘That’s good. I know a little German too.’ He hesitated. ‘Would your guardian be Director Podhajsky?’

  ‘No, my guardian is a Rider. Heinz Engel.’ Jakob was surprised he knew the Director’s name.

  ‘Oh, right. I saw your Director win a bronze medal in the 1936 Olympics.’ Major Wright pulled at Raluca’s ears.

  ‘I didn’t know he’d ridden in the Olympics.’ Jakob wished he’d listened more to Heinz’s stories.

  ‘He was a great horseman.’

  ‘Is,’ corrected Jakob.

  Kizzy joined the two, saying nothing but watching every move the officer made.

  ‘Point taken, I apologise. My name is Major Wright.’

  ‘I’m Jakob and this is Kizzy.’

  He looked round. ‘No mares?’

  Jakob said, ‘No, they’re up in Czechoslovakia. We’re very anxious about them.’

  Kizzy added, ‘Yes, we want to save them.’

  ‘Oh, do you? I’d better ask the Director about the mares then, hadn’t I?’

  Jakob smiled, burying his head in Raluca’s mane as Major Wright walked off. He took a deep breath. The stallion smelt of sweet hay. ‘Guess what, Raluca? Maybe everything will be all right after all.’

  Chapter 21

  ‘Director, this is Major Wright. He recognised the Lipizzaners and asked if I would introduce you.’

  The Director was standing in front of his desk, looking grey and lost. Around him numerous American soldiers were moving furniture and setting up office. The senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, stood over a large map, barking out orders. When Jakob led Wright over and introduced them, the Director appeared grateful for the distraction and offered his hand to the American.

  The officer removed his hat and shook the Director’s hand vigorously. Wright was younger than Jakob had first thought. His dark hair was cut short and there was a hint of a scar on his neck.

  ‘I’m honoured to meet you, Director Podhajsky. I saw you ride in the Olympics in ’36.’

  A glimmer of a smile slipped across the Director’s face. ‘A different time.’

  Jakob moved over to the window seat, hoping he wouldn’t be noticed and sent away. He looked around for Kizzy, but she was gone.

  ‘Before all this madness.’ Major Wright sighed.

  ‘There was madness on its way, even then. You maybe weren’t aware.’ The Director offered him a chair by the fireplace. Wright took it and the Director sat opposite him.

  ‘You have just the stallions here?’ said Wright. ‘The girl tells me you’re worried about the mares.’

  Running his hand through his hair, the Director frowned. ‘She shouldn’t have said that, but yes, I’m very worried. I confess you’ve thrown me rather. I’d hoped to build up to this.’ He cleared his throat. Jakob listened hard. ‘I’d hoped to ask the US army to help me get the mares back. I’m afraid the Russians might destroy them.’

  Major Wright leant forward. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘I believe they are at Hostau in Czechoslovakia. The Germans took them in 1942. Hitler’s aim was to create a perfect breed.’

  ‘Sir, that’s tough. I’m not sure what we can do.’

  The Director stood up. ‘If there’s any way you are able to help us…’

  Lt Col. Smith came over. ‘Is there a problem?’

  ‘No, sir, not at all. We’re just talking about the horses,’ replied Major Wright.

  The officer appeared surprised. ‘Oh right, carry on.’ He went back to his organising.

  Major Wright stood and beckoned to the Director to come close. Jakob strained to hear. ‘Look, it’s a long shot, but General Patton is stopping at General Walker’s headquarters, which is close by. Would you put on a performance? He’s a great horseman and a leader of the US Third Army. We could show him how vital it is that we rescue the horses. I can’t order something like that. He’s one of the few who could.’

  The Director balked. ‘Goodness, a performance? How long would I have?’

  ‘If I get the message to him today, he might get here in a couple of days. He’s a busy man.’

  Without thinking, Jakob jumped forward. ‘Sir, of course we can do it!’

  The Director looked at him. ‘Go and get Heinz. I need to talk to him.’

  Jakob ran out of the room, straight into Kizzy. ‘Come with me. The Director wants to see Heinz. Wright told the Director what we’d said about the mares.’

  Kizzy went pale. ‘Was he cross?’

  ‘Never mind that.’ He didn’t wait for an answer, just ran towards the kitchen. ‘Heinz, Heinz, the Director wants you.’

  His guardian was sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee with the Countess and Frau Podhajsky. His skin still looked paper thin, but at least he had pink cheeks now.

  ‘Slow down, boy. What’s the rush?’ He turned to the two women. ‘So rude! I do apologise.’

  Jakob blushed. ‘The Director needs to put on a performance. He’s worried and he wants to talk to you.’ He grabbed Heinz’s broom crutch and thrust it at him. ‘Sorry, but it’s to protect the horses and rescue the mares.’

  Frau Podhajsky stood up and moved across to help Heinz.

  ‘It’s all right, I’m here.’ Kizzy appeared by Heinz’s side. She smiled at Jakob. Her eyes sparkled.

  Jakob grinned back and pulled Heinz into a standing position. ‘Could you help us with the doors?’

  ‘Excuse me, stop rushing. I can manage perfectly well myself, thank you,’ said Heinz.

  Everyone ignored him and between the three of them they got Heinz to the study. Jakob eased him into a chair, then grabbed Kizzy’s hand and
led her to the window seat. Hopefully they’d be allowed to stay and listen.

  The Director explained the situation.

  Heinz stroked his beard. ‘Some of the stallions are under-schooled, but it’s achievable with the horses we have, and a lot of hard work.’

  The Director interrupted him. ‘Apart from one major problem. You’ve broken your leg, and the Nazis took five of the men only a few weeks ago. We don’t have enough Riders.’

  ‘How many do you need?’ asked Wright.

  ‘To do a quadrille we need eight people, but there’s only six of us.’

  ‘Seven,’ said Kizzy.

  Jakob frowned. What was she up to now?

  She walked into the middle of the room. ‘You’ve forgotten Jakob.’

  His stomach dropped to the bottom of his boots as the Director laughed. ‘You’re mad.’

  Heinz sat up straight. ‘She’s not. He can do it.’ Jakob blushed. ‘He thinks I don’t know, but he used to practise exercises on Allegra, the horse that was shot, in the back field. He’s good and has a natural, light touch. Plus you heard what he was doing with Raluca this morning and you saw him ride at Bauer. You need to trust him, Director.’

  ‘Sounds like you’ve an extra man there,’ said Wright, crossing his arms and looking satisfied.

  ‘Yes, yes,’ shouted Kizzy.

  Frau Podhajsky took hold of her arm and made her sit down. ‘Let the Director think,’ she said quietly but firmly. ‘While I go and organise for the uniforms to be retrieved and cleaned.’

  Jakob was the only one who’d said nothing.

  ‘Come here, boy. Do you believe you could do it?’

  He gulped. ‘Yes, on Allegra…’

  ‘Hmm,’ grunted the Director.

  ‘Of course you can,’ said Kizzy. ‘Raluca responds to you like no other horse I’ve ever seen. You said yourself that Allegra couldn’t do what Raluca did this morning.’

  Heinz nodded. ‘That’s true. Why don’t you let me work with him, Director, and then I’ll let you know?’

  Wright said, ‘We won’t have much time. What is a quadrille?’

  The Director explained, ‘A quadrille is a precisely choreographed and difficult dance, or it should be…’ He looked out into the distance.

  ‘I’ve got every confidence in you.’ Major Wright slapped the Director on the back, who flinched. ‘I’ll send the message off now, find out when he’s due.’

  ‘Sir?’ Jakob tried to muster up the courage to speak. ‘I remember watching performances and you never did it with an odd number. You said yourself a quadrille needs eight people. We need another rider.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I think you should see what Kizzy can do too. That’d give us the eight we need. She’s a talented rider.’

  ‘He has a point,’ said Heinz, tapping his broom crutch on the floor.

  Kizzy went very pink.

  ‘But she’s a girl!’ said the Director.

  ‘She wouldn’t look like a girl in uniform; her hair is so short that at a distance no one would know. Let her try out with me. If we’re no good then we don’t take part,’ said Jakob.

  ‘I don’t believe this – all right, but Heinz, you better make sure they’re good and ready to rehearse tomorrow first thing.’ The Director blustered out of the room, shaking his head. ‘Unbelievable! Children, not just children, a girl riding for the Spanish Riding School! I’ve gone mad.’

  Heinz turned to Jakob and Kizzy. ‘Well, what are you waiting for? Get me out into the yard. We’ve got work to do.’

  Kizzy had a grin wide enough to split her face. ‘Thank you for saying that, Jakob.’

  ‘Thank you too. Though you might not be pleased I volunteered you after we’ve finished. Heinz is a really tough teacher.’

  ‘Yes, I am,’ said Heinz, ‘now stop talking. Go and change, Kizzy, you can’t ride in a dress.’ He dropped his crutch. ‘Dammit! Jakob, pick it up for me.’

  The two hobbled out to the yard where Heinz got Jakob to saddle up Raluca. Kizzy ran into the stalls.

  ‘I think you should tack up Pluto, Kizzy, you’ve ridden him the most,’ said Heinz.

  Her face dropped. ‘I’ve never ridden with a saddle or used a bridle with a bit.’

  ‘Well, you’re about to learn.’

  Chapter 22

  ‘Right, Pluto. Let’s get your bridle on.’ Jakob slipped the snaffle bit into the stallion’s mouth, placing the bridle over his head. ‘You all right?’ The stallion blew on his hand. It had been a while since he’d worn tack.

  Kizzy pushed past, thumping the saddle down on Pluto’s back. The horse jerked his head back.

  ‘Be careful!’ He rubbed Pluto’s neck. ‘Ssh, lad, take it easy.’

  Jakob watched his friend. Her face was thunderous. ‘Ow!’ She jumped backwards.

  ‘Now what’s the matter?’

  ‘I stabbed my finger doing the girth up. Stupid saddle!’ She slapped the leather hard. Pluto jumped again, landing on Jakob’s toe this time.

  ‘Ouch!’ He pulled his foot out from under the stallion’s hoof. ‘Poor boy.’ He rubbed Pluto’s forehead. ‘Steady on, it’s all right. She’s not angry with you.’ He turned to Kizzy. ‘You can’t be like this; it’s not fair on him. It’s not his fault.’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry, Pluto, it’s just this stupid lump of leather. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do what Heinz wants.’ She looked at Jacob, eyes wide and hopeful.

  ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do it. Just trust yourself, Kizzy.’

  Heinz shouted from outside. ‘Hurry up, you two, we haven’t got all day.’

  An area in a flat field close to the Schloss had rapidly been set up as a training arena, thanks to the US soldiers. One soldier brought Heinz a chair, placing it in the centre of the ring. Jakob led Raluca out. Kizzy followed on behind.

  ‘Come on, Kizzy, we can do this.’ Jakob gave her a leg up then jumped onto Raluca, who danced around.

  ‘Right, let’s warm them up,’ said Heinz. ‘I want you to move into a trot. Go large, all round the arena. After one circle I want you to travel diagonally, and then across the other way round. Let’s stretch those legs and necks in both directions. I made sure it’s the same size as the arena in Vienna – fifty-five metres by eighteen exactly.’ Heinz stomped his broom crutch on the floor in defiance. Jakob smiled. He knew Heinz would have got it precisely right. He was all about the detail.

  Raluca and Jakob led the way. He couldn’t always see Kizzy, but he heard her and Pluto. It seemed to go fine. She didn’t need to panic after all. He could settle down and concentrate on his performance. This would be a chance to prove that he was good enough to be a Cadet.

  ‘Wonderful, come into the middle.’ The two riders pulled up by Heinz. ‘Now, Jakob, I want you to go first. Move off, into the trot. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, you always start on the right rein. Go large again.’

  Jakob did as he was told. Raluca moved smoothly, responding well to any signals from his legs and hands. He sat deep into the saddle, feeling very secure.

  ‘Concentrate,’ he mumbled to himself.

  ‘Good, now move into a canter. I want you to do a flying change.’ Raluca performed faultlessly. ‘Excellent, how about the Passage?’

  Jakob wasn’t sure he was up to such advanced formations. He asked the horse to move into a collected trot. Raluca lifted his knees in the high exaggerated movement. His neck was strong and arched. They bobbed up and down as they floated along.

  ‘That’s wonderful!’ Kizzy clapped loudly, startling Raluca, who jumped across the arena. Jakob grabbed onto the stallion’s mane, his heart beating madly.

  ‘What did you do that for?’ he snapped.

  ‘Stupid,’ said Heinz.

  Kizzy looked down. Her face was bright red. She appeared to be having trouble staying in the saddle, as Pluto pranced around. Jakob felt sorry for her. No! Focus on Raluca, not her.

  ‘Take him down to the walk, Jakob, to calm him down again. When you’ve done that,
I want you to have a go at a Piaffe,’ said Heinz.

  Jakob gulped. He’d only done this a couple of times with Allegra and never particularly well. He replayed the exercise in his head, then asked Raluca to perform.

  The stallion arched his neck and lifted his knees high one at a time, just like the Passage, but this time staying still. Jakob felt the power rippling through Raluca’s muscles. It was exhilarating.

  Heinz didn’t make him hold it for long. Soon he asked him to move off from the trot to the canter. Raluca shook his head as Jakob let the reins loosen slightly.

  ‘Let’s try a Pirouette.’

  Holding his breath, Jakob moved Raluca in a circle around his back legs, completing a full Pirouette. All the US soldiers and refugees cheered and clapped. Jakob was thrilled and relieved. Raluca had done everything he wanted. He slumped in his saddle, his head falling backwards as he looked to the sky. He’d done it.

  ‘Good, now come down the centre to me. Not bad, lad, not bad. Now, Kizzy, it’s your turn,’ said Heinz.

  Jakob glanced across at her. She looked grey and so uncomfortable, lolling around in the saddle like a sack. He desperately wanted to shout, ‘Sit still and deep.’

  Pluto danced and pranced around, not paying any attention to her hands or legs. Jakob started to pray. This looked like trouble.