User:Erastus/Serving the Sentence - Part 6

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Serving the Sentence - Part 6/14

Author: Erastus Centaur

Professor turned the evening meal into a business meeting. "It appears our season has been cut short. We will have to spend tomorrow morning packing while I work out the details of how to get our horses back to the States and get the rest of you assigned to other teams."

As the rest scattered to their evening tasks, Professor held a meeting with the horses.

"It appears we have more than two years before this curse runs its course. The question is what to do during that time.

"The first problem is what to tell your families. I can't answer that one. It is up to you. I can put my official stamp on anything you come up with.

"The second problem is where to live. Unless anyone has other ideas, I will assume the easy part of the answer is that we go back to Bozeman, buy a small ranch, and move you into it. Now we face the hard part of the answer -- how to pay for a ranch. From David's youth, I will assume he has no money -- meaning not enough to make a difference. As for the rest of you, I will also assume that for the next two years, your assets are frozen for the simple reason that none of you can produce a signature."

Piet said, "I don't need a signature to get money out of an ATM."

"How much money do you have in that account and where is an ATM that doesn't have a built in camera?" asked Amos.

"Oh," said Piet. "As you said, not enough to make a difference. And you certainly don't look like me. Then again, I don't look like me."

Professor continued, "Since I am the leader of this team, I am at least partly responsible for your welfare. I have a proposal." He paused to quiet an internal debate. "When we get back to Bozeman, I will buy a ranch within commuting distance of the university with my retirement savings. This will provide a place for you to live over the next two years. Unfortunately, professors are never paid well and finances will undoubtedly be tight on my salary. In return, I ask that once you return to human form, you provide for my retirement in some manner, perhaps by buying the ranch from me."

"Sounds fair enough," said Piet. "I thank you for your offer. I'm sure we can agree on a way to keep you from being a pauper in your old age."

David said, "I'd be glad to help out too, though I have no idea how I might do that. But why not simply sell the ranch yourself when we are done with it?"

"Because our offspring will need a place to live," said Zane. "The only way we are going to return to human is to produce at least four foals. I can't imagine we would want to sell them or otherwise abandon them."

"I guess you're right," said David.

"I'll contact a real estate agent to get things rolling," said Professor. "With luck, we'll have something by the time we get to Bozeman."

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Ivan approached Professor as soon as the meeting with the horses broke up and the five beasts had moved away. Ivan had his duffel bag packed. He set it by his feet once he drew near to where Professor sat.

"I must leave immediately," said Ivan. His eyes darted from horse to horse. "What the trader said sounded like the old Russian legends. I remembered a bit more. The legends told of men captured by foreigners and turned into breeding mares. The foreigners then took their captives back to wherever they came from. Such stories are used to scare boys that are becoming men. Telling such a boy that if he isn't careful, foreigners will ride out of the sunrise, capture him, turn him into a mare where he'll spend the rest of his life birthing foals is a highly effective way to get that boy to obey you."

"It sounds like you heard that threat several times when you were about thirteen," said Professor.

"Yes. Many times." Ivan shook his head and sighed.

"You're being irrational," said Professor. The curse cannot rub off on you and the elder can't sing the curse anymore. It can't happen to you."

"I can say with my brain that you are correct. However, my heart says differently. Though it may be foolish, I can not stay in the same country as this curse. I've already booked a flight."

"I suppose you need a ride to the airport."

Ivan nodded.

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"Oho!" said Taki. "What is this?" There was a note of triumph in his voice as he held up a stuffed dinosaur toy he had pulled out of David's cot. It was bright green, about the length of Taki's hand, and had a small bandanna around the base of its neck. Much of the velveteen had been worn away.

Since a good number of the team no longer had hands, the job of packing everyone's personal belongings had fallen to Taki and Chaz.

"That's Sinclair," said David. "Please be gentle with him. I don't think I could replace him."

"Sinclair?" asked Taki.

"Yeah. According to my mother there were Sinclair gas stations back in the sixties. They used a green brontosaurus like this one as their logo. Mom gave this guy to me when I was nine and I've kept him ever since."

"And you still sleep with him?" The incredulity was dripping from Taki's voice

"Well, yeah."

"But stuffed animals are for kids!"

Amos saw David's ears go back. "Cool it, Taki!" Amos said. "You're supposed to be packing David's belongings, not commenting on whether he fits your definition of manhood."

Taki turned to Amos and pouted, "Why pick on me? Jack does this kind of stuff all the time!"

"Actually, I pick on Jack too. It just never seems to do any good. On the other hand, when you grow up --" David could hear the sarcasm "-- I doubt you want to be just like Jack."

Taki went back to packing.

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The five horses couldn't ride in the jeeps so Professor kept his cell phone humming trying to arrange horse trailers.

That's when he found out that when a Mongolian wants to get a horse from one place to another, he rides the horse. Horse trailers were unheard of. He had to rent a delivery van to hold two horses and a flatbed truck for the other three. It wasn't all that safe, but there wasn't a lot of choice.

Exporting five horses was time consuming, but routine, as horses were a already a major export. Professor relied on forged documents of clean health and of sale, graciously supplied by contacts provided by the trader (with suitable payments, of course).

Chaz, Taki, Rose, and Lily left the team at the airport. They needed a job for the rest of the summer and Professor had arranged for them to join another paleontology team -- at the other end of Mongolia.

Professor arranged for a horse transportation company to fly the remains of his team from Mongolia to Los Angeles. The fee for the horses was huge, though it did include passage for Professor.

That didn't make the flight any shorter or make jetlag problems any easier.

Once back in America, customs went fairly smoothly. The forged documents didn't even cause the officials to blink. There was one thing the horses simply could not avoid -- the three day quarantine while their blood was checked for diseases.

There was a disadvantage of a horse with a human mind, that being the boredom. The only thing they could do to relieve the boredom was to talk -- but only when there were no humans around. And when humans were around, David would get lost in his thoughts and come close to panic as he contemplated his predicament. Fortunately, Amos was in the next stall and could nuzzle him or whisper into his hear.

Jack spent most of the time sulking about the indignity of it all. The other four took advantage of the time to get to know each other and share life stories. They might as well -- they would be stuck together for two years.

The most important part of the discussion was around one of David's questions to Zane. "What did you mean when you said I had to ask the trader that question because I was the stallion?"

Zane responded, "Though we have human minds, our sexuality is that of a horse. If we are going to produce foals, we're going to have to do it the horse's way. You are the stallion and we are the mares."

"This is gonna get weird. I keep thinking of all of you as guys. I'm not into sex with guys."

"When we come into heat," said Zane, "Your body won't respond to us that way. We'll be female enough."

"So I let my body do its thing, right?"

"It isn't that simple, David."

"Why not?"

"A mare rejects a stallion she doesn't consider worthy. He can't just have the right equipment. He has to act like one too. At the moment, you don't act like a stallion."

"How do you mean?"

"You're way too timid," said Amos.

Zane added, "A stallion is in charge of things. He protects his mares from danger."

"You guys know so much more than I do. How can I protect you from danger when you can recognize it so much faster than I can?"

Zane said to Amos, "I see our work is cut out for us." Amos nodded.

"We'll start with something simple," said Amos, "your name."

"What's wrong with my name?"

"I bet," said Zane, "that your mother always called you David."

"Well, yeah."

"So that is your childhood name. You are a stallion now. It is time for an adult name."

"But that's the name on my birth certificate. Don't you guys use the name on your birth certificates?"

"I do now", said Zane. "My childhood name was Zaney. I put a stop to that as soon as I could. I think I was about eight at the time."

"So didn't Zane become a childhood name, since you were only eight?" asked David.

"No, it didn't. Here's the distinction. When you are born, your parents pick out an official name for you. But when you are young, they rarely call you by that name. As they grow up, most people make a break from what their parents called them. This amounts to a declaration of independence. Their official name has nothing to do with it. For some people, it is a time to take up their official name, for others, it is a time to declare which nickname they prefer."

"What about the rest of you? Did you also make that break?"

"My dad always called me PJ. The J is for Jarron," said Piet.

"My older sister called me Scooter," said Amos. "That was one of the hazards of having the same first name as my father."

"My younger sister was called Betsy," said Zane. "She was only five when she insisted on Elizabeth. It didn't take my brother and me long to call her E-Lizard-Breath. She now introduces herself as Liz."

David chuckled at that one, then grew serious. "So what do I choose for a name?"

"Anything you want, kid. It's your choice," said Amos. "Though most people choose a version of their official name. The important thing is that it is your decision."

"I guess you can call me Dave."

"You guess? A stallion is more definite than that," said Amos.

"My name is Dave."

"That's much better, kid," said Zane.

"And stop calling me kid!"

"Yes, of course," said Amos. She nodded appreciatively. "In return, you will have to stop referring to your mares as, 'you guys'. For the next two years, we are not guys."

"I guess I can do that, though it will take some practice," said Dave. "I hear your deep voices and my mind thinks about guys. Will you ladies also change your names?"

"Well, actually, I'm rather fond of Piet. I think I'll keep it, even if the gender is wrong." Amos and Zane decided to do the same.

The conversation paused for a moment. Then Dave said, "I got to be thinking about what you said a moment ago. You described yourselves as 'my mares'. My dad tried to make it clear that a man doesn't possess his wife."

"In talking about humans," said Amos, "your dad is correct. However, we are horses, at least for the moment. We form herds with a head stallion. Human standards don't apply to us."

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"These quarantine quarters have got to be the most boring place on earth," said Amos. "And it is only three days! I think I've now gotten everyone's life story except Jack's. I can't imagine living in a stable to be much better, though. My mind needs some stimulation."

"I think I know what we need," said Zane. "A barn with an internet connection. Well, five computers with internet connections."

"Do tell," said Piet.

"I'm sure that modern computers could come with voice activation, or at least joysticks we can operate with our lips. Each of us could have a computer in our stall and let the internet stimulate our minds."

"There's a lot of garbage out there," said Dave, "and I've glanced at a good deal of it. I doubt that a gal with a doctorate would find it able to stimulate her mind."

"There are also a lot of very worthwhile things," said Amos. "For instance, you could continue with your studies. I'm certain the university has some online courses. And you will have four tutors on hand."

"Nothing like being put on the spot!" said Dave.

Zane said, "All this is going to cost money. Professor said he is on a tight budget."

Amos wiggled her ears. "I guess the first lesson will be in sales and negotiation."

Dave was prompt in asking, "What do you mean, 'first lesson'? Who's gonna do the sell job?"

"You are," said Amos. David looked at her in surprise. "You're the stallion."

"I think I'm gonna get very sick of that phrase."

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"Here are your horses, sir; they've passed quarantine. I must say they are the most ungraceful horses I've ever seen."

Professor had rented a horse trailer big enough to hold them all. As they filed in Zane was pleased to see it had been well stocked.

Once the trailer's door closed, Amos said, "Ungraceful, are we? Hey Dave, make a note of that. We'll have to do something about it."

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At the first rest stop outside the Los Angeles area, Professor opened the trailer to let the occupants out for a stretch. He was probably disobeying several laws, but didn't care.

"I didn't want the quarantine manager hear me talking to you," said Professor. "I have some news for you. The real estate agent in Bozeman found a ranch for us that looks to be large enough, cheap enough, and available. During the last three days, I was in Bozeman and gave them a deposit. I also put my house up for sale.

"There's just one catch. Real Estate closings never happen overnight, at least not honest ones. It may be a week or two before we can move in. Fortunately, an old friend has space on his ranch for a while."

It took three nights to drive from Los Angeles to Bozeman. Dave was happy not to be in the horse trailer when the temperatures in the desert hit 100 degrees in the June afternoons. They weren't in an air conditioned building, but being under a scraggly tree was better than inside the trailer. At least he didn't have to worry about sunburn.

To keep Dave's mind off his situation, Zane had them singing all the raunchy sailor and army songs he knew. Professor didn't pay any attention to the stares from people in passing vehicles who had heard singing horses.

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Luke met them when Professor rolled to a stop. He was amazed when Professor merely lowered the ramp and said, "Here we are. Everybody out," and five horses got themselves out the trailer in an orderly fashion without any guidance from Professor. Luke was also amazed that none of the horses had a halter and that Professor dismissed his concern. He was downright astonished when he saw the five horses in the light and could see the quality of horseflesh standing there.

"You old Devil," said Luke, "How in the world did you afford horses of this quality on your teaching salary?"

"Let's just I'd like to keep an air of mystery."

"I bet no one has said that about you since before you married Bess, God rest her soul. I've always appreciated that you work hard not to be mysterious."

"Someday, Luke, I'll tell you how I came to own these fine animals. But if I do, I'll either have to kill you or get you drunk." Luke smiled as Professor winked.

Luke turned towards the house and shouted, "Hey, Stan. They're here!"

In a moment, a teenager appeared, looking like a young version of Luke. Stan had sandy hair and a pretty decent moustache and goatee in contrast to his father's flecks of gray and clean shaven face, but the two had the same six foot height, narrow face, slim build, blue eyes, and quirky smile.

Luke was saying, "Now that he's graduated from high school, it is getting harder to keep him busy. Five more horses should do it."

Stan had veered from the men to the horses and was inspecting them carefully.

"So what are their names?" said Luke.

"The stallion is David. The mares," Professor pointed as he ran through the names, "are Piet, Amos, Jack, and Zane."

"Mares with guys' names? I thought you were more traditional than that."

"Hey, I didn't name them."

Stan gave a low whistle. "Mighty impressive horses, Professor. But I can't help but notice a couple strange things."

"Do tell," said Professor.

"Someone gave their manes and tails a strange trimming, and I don't know anyone who would trim the feathering of a Clydesdale like that." Stan did a bit of a double take. "Not that I've ever seen a Clydesdale this color before." He pulled up Dave's left forehoof. "And I've never seen a horse without shoes that had a hoof in this great of shape." Stan stood and stroked Dave's neck. "I can call the farrier and have him come next week."

"Sounds good," said Professor.

Dave looked at Professor with alarm. Professor ignored the look.

By this time Stan had worked his way up to Dave's head. "No halter?"

"You won't need it," said Professor. "Tell them what you want and they'll do it."

"Weird," said Stan.

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When Professor came to visit a few days later, Dave ambled over, but made sure Stan was in the barn before speaking. "Oh, man. That barn sure stinks in the morning! It is a good thing that Stan is prompt about mucking it out."

"Besides that, how is everything?"

"Stan's a good guy. For a horse, it's a great place. The problem is that I'm a horse."

Professor stroked Dave's nose. "Still feeling panicky about that?"

"Yeah. Stan's been good about giving me a good scratch when I come up to him, though every time he does so he calls me Davey. I don't like that name. Stan also knows how to give a good brushing, that's the best... I hear him coming."

Stan came through the barn door, "Oh, hi, Professor!" He came over and put his arm around Dave's neck. Dave lowered his head a bit so Stan could idly scratch between the ears. It was obvious to Professor that man and horse did this a lot.

"I gotta tell you, Professor, I've never seen such beautiful horses or such weird ones."

"Weird in what way?" said Professor. Dave could see him suppressing a grin.

"I've never seen housebroken, um, barnbroken horses before. Their straw is clean each morning, but as soon as I let them out, they relieve themselves in the corner of the field."

Professor let his grin show. "Barnbroken horses. Anything else weird?"

"Yeah. You were right. It seems they understand every word I say."

Professor only nodded.

"And here's the really freaky part. I took old Blue around the paddock to put him through his paces and soon your horses are in the middle of the paddock and seem to be studying what Blue is doing. Pretty soon, they seem to be trying it for themselves, like they've never done it before. I shifted Blue to a trot and I can see all five of them practicing the trot. I shift Blue to a canter and all five of them are soon trying the canter, though they don't seem to be doing it well. I let Blue open up to a gallop and they watched that one for a long time before trying it. The brown mare, um Jack, is still having trouble with anything faster than a walk. But this one," he patted Dave's cheek, "was soon switching easily between the various gaits." He concentrated on stroking Dave's nose for a moment. "About the only gait this fella doesn't know -- and only because Blue can't do it -- is the harness racing gait."

Professor thought he could see a blend of questioning and challenge in Dave's eyes. "And what's that?"

"Oh," said Stan, "that is a trot in which the legs on the same side move together."

Dave pulled his head away from Stan's fingers and moved off a few yards. He stood there a moment as if deep in thought. Then he carefully stepped forward with both right legs and then both left legs. Soon he picked up speed and was trotting smoothly around the paddock. After a full circuit Dave came back and welcomed Stan's fingers between his ears.

While his fingers worked, Stan stared at the horse with his mouth hanging open. It was a full minute before he found his voice. "That's incredible! You're such a smart horse, Davey. Perhaps you could be taught dressage."

Professor could see the hint of pleading in Dave's eyes. "Stan, I don't think he likes to be called Davey." Stan snapped his head around to stare at Professor. "Do it too often and he might step on your toes, and I daresay a ton of horse resting on those toes won't feel so good."

A second later Stan snapped his eyes to his left boot. Dave had shifted his weight and was now using a forehoof to exert a gentle pressure on Stan's toes.

Stan gulped. "Okay. Dave it is." He looked Professor in the eye. "So are you going to tell me where you got these guys?"

"Perhaps when you're old enough to drink."

"That's still three years away! Why wait that long?"

"Because you'll want a drink after I tell you the story."

Part 5 * Part 6* Part 7