Flight

by Vanessa Harbour

  ‘Walk him round like Jakob did to calm him down,’ shouted Heinz, but Pluto just wouldn’t settle. Heinz sighed. ‘Move him into a trot then, let’s see if that works.’

  Kizzy kicked Pluto hard. The stallion jumped forward straight into a canter.

  ‘What’s she doing?’ whispered Jakob, stroking Raluca’s neck.

  She started to saw at the stallion’s mouth, trying to make him turn, pulling at the reins. Pluto’s tail swished to and fro and he tossed his head around, fighting the bit. The horse soon gave up and planted all four feet, putting his head down. The abrupt stop sent Kizzy tumbling over his shoulder. ‘What the…?’ she shouted as she landed on her backside with a thud.

  Jakob swallowed a laugh, but the soldiers and others watching weren’t so sympathetic. They roared with laughter and pointed. Kizzy’s face coloured a deep puce. She stood up, brushing mud and grass off her clothes.

  ‘Enough! Bring him in here, Kizzy. It’s no good.’

  But she ran off, leaving Pluto standing in the school.

  ‘Get back here NOW!’ roared Heinz. Jakob hadn’t seen him this angry for quite a while.

  Kizzy stopped and walked back to Pluto, snatched his reins up, pulling him towards Heinz. She kept her head down.

  ‘Call yourself a horsewoman?’

  ‘Obviously not. I just fell off, in case you hadn’t noticed,’ she snapped.

  ‘Stop being spoilt. A true horsewoman wouldn’t have run away from her horse.’ Heinz rubbed Pluto’s neck. ‘Never blame the horse for your failings, and never ever take it out on him. If I see you sawing at an animal’s mouth like that, you will NEVER, I repeat NEVER, ride one of my stallions again. Now go and untack him. Rub him down properly. He’s stressed.’

  Kizzy glanced at Jakob. Her eyes were brimming with tears. She wiped her nose before stomping off to the stables.

  ‘You do the same. You and Raluca have done enough for today. Good effort.’ Heinz looked sad and grey.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Jakob.

  ‘Not your fault. I shouldn’t have pushed her so hard. I thought she was better than that.’

  ‘She is,’ said Jakob. ‘It’s the saddle and bridle. She’s never used tack before.’

  ‘No time to learn, unfortunately.’ Heinz heaved himself up onto the broom crutch.

  Jakob dismounted and stopped in front of Heinz. Looking straight at him, he raised his hand in salute. He knew that was the rule.

  Heinz smiled and nodded. ‘Off you go!’ He hobbled off in the opposite direction.

  Leading Raluca to his stall, Jakob untacked and rubbed him down. ‘You deserve this, you’ve worked so hard.’ He massaged the stallion’s leg.

  Raluca rested his muzzle on Jakob and blew warm air down his neck.

  ‘Oi, that tickles!’

  His laughter stopped when he heard crying coming from Pluto’s stall. Kizzy. Jakob sighed. He also heard Pluto clattering around. ‘Will you stand still!’ she pleaded between sobs.

  Jakob peered round the dividing wall. He hesitated, then pushed past Kizzy and stood in front of the stallion. ‘Come on lad, calm down, it’s all right.’ He put his arms around Pluto’s strong neck and leant into his chest. Pluto’s breathing immediately slowed, matching Jakob’s, and the stallion became still.

  ‘Make me look worse, why don’t you? How do you know to do that?’ growled Kizzy.

  ‘What’s the matter with you? Stop taking it out on Pluto. He needs settling.’ Jakob stepped back, but Pluto stayed calm and still. He scratched at the stallion’s neck and the horse blew gently against his other hand.

  ‘I thought only Roma knew those tricks.’

  ‘Then why didn’t you use them?’

  Kizzy turned away. ‘Because Heinz is right, I’m spoilt and not a horsewoman. I don’t deserve to ride after today.’ A huge tear etched a path through the dirt on her cheek.

  Jakob took her hand. ‘That’s not true. He shouldn’t have pushed you so hard, he said so.’

  ‘I’ve never seen him so angry. I can’t ride on a stupid saddle. I never realised how hard it was.’ More tears threatened.

  Jakob pulled her into him, hugging her tight. ‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered. ‘I’ve got an idea. Can I just have the old Kizzy back, please?’ She nodded into his chest. ‘Good! Meet me here at midnight.’

  Chapter 23

  Jakob crept out of the Schloss at ten to twelve. A startlingly bright moon lit his way luckily, otherwise otherwise his plan couldn’t have worked. Jakob was taken by surprise when the route was blocked by a soldier on guard.

  ‘Where are you going?’ he said, half-pointing his rifle at him.

  Raising his arms slightly so the soldier knew he had nothing to hide, Jakob said, ‘I am going to teach someone to ride.’ He knew how strange it sounded.

  ‘In the middle of the night – are you crazy?’

  ‘Probably, but it’s supposed to be a surprise for someone. My friend Kizzy is going to join me soon. Is that all right? We won’t cause trouble, I promise.’

  The soldier stood to one side. ‘Oh go on, but keep the noise down. I can’t believe I just said that.’

  Jakob went into the stalls, where the stallions were all quiet. He led Raluca out first. ‘Wait here while I get Pluto.’ The horse stood patiently with his head lowered until Jakob walked out with the other stallion. ‘Let’s help Kizzy, boys, I know you can do it.’

  ‘Do what?’ asked a very sleepy-looking Kizzy.

  ‘Nothing, let’s go.’

  ‘It’s dark outside.’

  Jakob sighed, ‘Yes, I know, but the moon is shining, and we’ve got work to do. Here.’ He handed her Pluto’s lead rein.

  ‘You’ve forgotten the saddles.’

  ‘Will you just trust me and get on?’

  She shrugged, and took Pluto from him. They both vaulted onto their stallions.

  Kizzy growled, ‘And?’

  ‘Do you want to ride in the performance or not?’ He turned Raluca round.

  ‘Yes! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I just can’t see how you can help me. I don’t even know the names of the stupid exercises.’

  Jakob bristled, and through gritted teeth said, ‘Well, firstly, they’re not stupid, and secondly, I’m going to teach you, if you’ll stop moaning.’ He softened slightly, and smiled. ‘I thought if you learnt to do them without the saddle, we’d then do it with.’

  Kizzy looked at him. ‘That could work.’

  The Schloss rose up behind, watching over them. Not a single light was showing in any of the windows. Everyone was asleep, or so Jakob hoped. ‘Watch what I do.’

  As he performed each exercise, he told her its name. It felt strange at first but Raluca behaved impeccably as always. Jakob’s legs hung down loosely and he rolled naturally as the horse walked. Feeling the warmth of the stallion’s body against him made him feel part of Raluca as they moved together. It felt good.

  ‘Now your turn.’

  Kizzy’s face was set hard. ‘Here goes. Tell me if I’m doing it wrong.’

  ‘Will do,’ he smiled.

  ‘All right!’ Kizzy eased Pluto into a collected trot.

  ‘Brilliant, see if you can move into a Passage. Use your legs and seat to send the message like I do. Right seat bone, left seat bone, right seat bone…’

  Kizzy tried to give Pluto the correct instructions but he refused to move. ‘See, I told you he wouldn’t do it.’

  ‘Are you really going to give up that easily? Try visualising what you want Pluto to do, use your legs and remember to sit deeply.’

  She pushed Pluto on. Suddenly the stallion started the exaggerated movements of the Passage. Pluto lifted his knees high, his neck strong and arched.

  ‘He’s doing it!’ She sounded surprised.

  ‘Of course, he is. He’s been trained. Now concentrate and visualise it. I want you to do a flying change. Take him up to canter.’

  They worked for another half an hour before Jakob told her to stop.

 
; ‘All right, now the hard stuff. We’re going to put a saddle on and you’ll do the same.’

  ‘Do you really think I will be able to do it?’

  Jakob smiled. ‘Of course I do. Only a moment ago you told me that you couldn’t make Pluto do anything…’

  Kizzy slipped off Pluto’s back and rubbed his neck. Jakob took Raluca to the stable and settled him, before collecting the tack and going back out to saddle Pluto. He gave Kizzy a leg up. ‘Right, off you go.’

  Kizzy took the reins and moved off.

  ‘Remember to keep your hands light, don’t saw at his mouth. Think of the reins as a sponge that you don’t want to squeeze too hard, you don’t want to lose a drop of the water.’

  Kizzy said nothing.

  ‘Go round and do the same things as you did before. The saddle shouldn’t make any difference now you know what you’re doing.’

  Jakob watched with delight as Pluto danced his way round the arena with a smiling Kizzy on his back.

  ‘See! I don’t want to say it,’ Jakob grinned, ‘but I was right, wasn’t I?’

  Kizzy’s face dropped. ‘But Heinz won’t give me another chance. I was awful and I don’t deserve it.’

  ‘Put Pluto away and don’t worry. I’ll talk to him. He might listen.’

  Early the following morning, an exhausted Jakob and Kizzy went to see Heinz. They found him hobbling down the stairs towards the arena.

  ‘Why aren’t you with the horses? Are you ready to rehearse, Jakob? Have you been up all night? You’ve got black shadows beneath your eyes.’ He seemed deliberately not to look at Kizzy.

  ‘I wanted to speak to you first.’ He took hold of Kizzy’s hand and squeezed it. ‘Heinz, please will you give Kizzy another chance today?’

  His guardian snorted, ‘After yesterday?’

  Kizzy stepped forward. ‘I know I was very badly behaved. I just wanted it so much. That’s no excuse, I know, but Jakob has worked with me all night.’

  ‘I know, I was watching you. He’s a better friend than you deserve,’ said Heinz. Kizzy nodded. ‘Goodness knows why I’m saying this, but saddle up Pluto. This is your last chance.’

  The girl squealed, and both children ran forward and hugged Heinz, nearly knocking him to the floor.

  ‘Watch it, will you! I’m a broken man. Go on, get ready. The Director will think I’ve gone mad.’

  They soon joined the others in the arena, riding into the centre. Both looked very proud on their stallions.

  The Director stared at Heinz. ‘I thought you said she couldn’t do it?’

  ‘Just trust me,’ said Heinz. He nodded at Frau Podhajsky, who started the music.

  Jakob bit his lip, half smiling. This was something he’d dreamt of for so many years. His heart faltered. If only his parents could see him now.

  The white stallions performed in unison. Kizzy kept up and did everything Heinz asked of her. Jakob’s guardian couldn’t keep the grin off his face.

  Soldiers came out and watched, along with many of the refugees who had been staying at the Schloss. They gasped then clapped as the Director performed a Capriole, where his stallion jumped into the air and kicked back with his hind legs.

  One day, thought Jakob, one day I’ll be able to do that too.

  Major Wright marched into the arena. ‘Director, I’ve just received a message. General Patton will be here in forty-eight hours. Will you be ready?’

  The Director looked round to all the riders, including Jakob and Kizzy, then Heinz. ‘Of course we will. We must.’

  Heinz raised his hand. ‘In that case, everyone, let’s break for lunch. Go and water your horses and untack them. Director, Jakob will take Africa for you. We’ll walk through it this afternoon without them.’

  Jakob smiled and leant forward to pat Raluca’s neck. He drank in the sweet musky smell. ‘Thank you, lad. That was great.’

  Chapter 24

  Two days and several rehearsals later, they were all dressed in the full uniform of the Spanish Riding School with newly polished tack shining brightly. While they waited for General Walker to bring General Patton over, Jakob walked up and down outside the stables. The sun was high in the sky, hiding every now and then behind scudding clouds. There was a little heat in it, making the sweat trickle down his back. Or was that nerves?

  He smoothed down his brown tailcoat, straightening the two lines of brass buttons, smiling to himself. Jakob had never thought this day would come. And here he was, finding it impossible to sit still. His swan-necked spurs clattered on the cobbles as he moved. Waves of nausea swept over him. He hoped gripping hold of his stomach would help.

  ‘You’re giving me a headache, Jakob. Will you stop pacing.’ Perched on a stool, Heinz whittled away at a piece of wood with his knife. ‘It’s no good worrying, you can’t change anything now.’

  Kizzy walked up to them, pulling at her collar. ‘How do you wear these things, they’re awful?’

  ‘Gosh!’ said Jakob. He’d never seen anyone look so amazing in the Riding School uniform. Heinz dropped his knife.

  ‘What? What have I done?’ She checked her buttons then spun round and round trying to see what was wrong. She grabbed at the bicorne hat with its flash of gold braid and pulled it on, the two points facing forward.

  Heinz took hold of the hat and gently moved it so it was the right way round. ‘Nothing, Kizzy, ignore him,’ he said. ‘You look fine. Jakob, I suggest you close your mouth or you may end up swallowing a fly.’

  Before anyone said any more, they heard the sounds of cars driving up to the Schloss.

  Heinz moved towards the stalls. ‘Right, saddle up and be out front in quarter of an hour. I’ll do the Director’s horse. It is my duty. Hopefully the leg will behave. If I have problems I will shout.’

  Fifteen minutes later, Jakob, Kizzy, Peter and the other four riders walked out to the arena. The grass had been cut that morning, ready for the performance. Jakob saw Frau Podhajsky standing behind a few flowers, to the side of the arena, with the Countess. They appeared a bit odd, loitering there. At the end of the arena a raised platform had been created and was now full of soldiers who were sitting watching. They had even tried to make it look pretty by putting foliage over the panels at the front of the platform. Jakob wasn’t sure it worked. He could see a serious-looking officer sat in the middle. He was covered with numerous medal ribbons on his chest and wearing a helmet. He wondered if that was General Patton. The Director marched over and took his horse, Africa, from Heinz. He mounted, looking very smart as he rode ahead.

  The Director shouted, ‘Right, let’s do a few brief warm-up exercises before we go. See if we can calm these stallions down.’

  Major Wright came up and rubbed Raluca’s neck. ‘Hello, lad. Are you all right?’ He looked up at Jakob. ‘Let’s hope the General understands the importance. Enjoy yourself!’ He winked then ran off to the other end of the arena.

  ‘Great, no pressure then,’ said Kizzy, who’d gone the same colour as her shirt.

  ‘We’ll…’ Jakob squeaked, clearing his throat, ‘…be fine.’

  He felt Kizzy’s hand slip into his, squeezing it. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. Nothing more.

  They both focused on the Director and Peter performing long-rein work. Jakob’s heart was beating a thousand times faster than normal. This was his dream, to perform as part of a quadrille for the Spanish Riding School. Now it was here, whether he impressed them or not wasn’t even the important thing. What mattered was whether they could they save the mares.

  Peter was using Burletta, who was a very light dapple grey; a couple more summers and he’d be pure white, Jakob reckoned. Peter walked smartly behind his horse, his boots shining in the sunshine. He held the long reins and a crop in his hand, using only these to guide the stallion. First they trotted up the arena, changing the lead leg as they went. Peter then went diagonally across, ending his section with a Pirouette and a bow, then taking the stallion out.

  The last to come in before they p
erformed the quadrille was the Director on Africa. The pure white horse loved to perform. Jakob was mesmerised. Africa did a Piaffe, before moving into the Levade, taking his front legs off the ground and sitting on his back legs. The crowd clapped. Africa stood back on all four legs and walked off. There was no emotion showing on the Director’s face, he just nodded to acknowledge the audience as he trotted past them. Next he moved into the Pesade.

  ‘Why’s he doing the same?’ whispered Kizzy.

  ‘He’s not, the angle’s different, it is more forty-five degrees, see? Wait and see what happens next.’ Jakob had the feeling he was going to end with a Capriole. Yes! The stallion leaped into the air and kicked back. The soldiers cheered and threw their helmets and caps in the air.

  Jakob sat back, fascinated and full of admiration, determined that one day he would be able to do that too.

  ‘In line, everyone. Start the music. Let’s begin the quadrille.’ The Director nodded at his wife. Of course, that’s why Frau Podhajsky and the Countess were there. The sound of Strauss’ Vienna Waltz filled the air. Distant memories filled Jakob’s head but he knew he needed to focus as they all moved off in unison.

  The stallions paraded down the centre of the arena and the performance started. Jakob could feel Raluca tense under him. As he approached one end, Jakob saw Major Wright. He was sitting with the serious man in the round metal hat, who watched the arena intently. He was definitely the all-powerful General Patton. Wright nodded, almost imperceptibly, as they went by. Jakob concentrated on the performance, visualising what he needed Raluca to do.