Seeing Tara’s reaction, Lily had to laugh in spite of herself.
“That,” she said, “is Thunder.”
“Thunder?”
“Thunder,” replied Lily, grabbing a large handful of grass.
The huge black horse nickered and strode towards the two young women.
“Is it dangerous?” whispered Tara, wide-eyed.
Lily stroked the huge head affectionately, feeding him clumps of grass.
“You should climb up on his back.”
“What?!”
“Go ahead. He’s a horse. That’s what horses do.”
“You’re not serious! He’s so... big.”
With an impish grin, Lily jumped up on his back, with some difficulty. Tara stood watching, both hands to her mouth.
“You’ll fall... “
”Come on, silly.”
Tara looked about her, as if seeking courage. Then, she let Lily pull her up onto the huge stallion’s back. She clung to Lily tightly, staring at the fall to the ground as if it were an abyss.
“Lily, this is madness!”
Palindor, hearing or sensing some sound, got up from his chair and went to the window.
“Anest! Have a look at this.”
The two girls were laughing with delight as the huge black stallion raced like the wind across the meadow. He turned in a wide arc, and launched himself like a bolt towards the house. He was racing straight towards the fence. Anest felt an inexplicable pang of misgiving.