The Witch's Master

[Ripley]

The Witch's Master
featuring: Mastermind, Supernatural & Lethal Dose

Ripley sat atop the chestnut masterpiece, her eyes focused on something in the distance. The animal beneath her may have been a stature for he stood as still as stone, barely blinking or turning a hair. His hide glowed ruby red in the growing dawn and he simply looked the king of runners. He very much had been the king of horse racing for the last three years, taking over where the unbeatable Pegasus Wings had left off. He'd taken on all comers and beaten them, sometimes repeatedly. There was still awe every time the highly publicized stallion hit the track. He did things that were incomparable. His accomplishments were varied and many and he had gone beyond his sire and dam. At 31 victories, the chestnut had won over half of his career starts, eleven of them coming on the season. All of those material assets did not do him justice.

Laura and Reese were quiet in their saddles, watching their boss with sad tinged eyes. Ripley's stillness was impressive except for the fact that her hands played nervously with Mastermind's mane. The horse barely batted an eye when the woman twisted some off and pocketed it. She'd been doing it gradually over the season for a horse hair bracelet. There would be no replicating the gifts of Mastermind once he left her hallowed racing halls for the breeding shed. She'd join him in retirement, but the memories of their shared experiences over the three years would never leave her. He was simply the best horse she'd ever sat on. Better than her Hall of Fame sweetheart El Sol Del Mar, who she reminded herself to thank later for giving this champion to her.

Reese coughed as she noticed the growing crowd, drawing Ripley out of her reverie. The press seemed to watch her like a hawk, pestering her with questions about her pending retirement. Her green eyes sharpened and she nodded briefly, about what neither Laura or Reese knew, but soon she was back to snapping orders. Mastermind stirred beneath her and moved into a jog down the stretch. He bowed his neck and lifted his tail high in a show of high spirits.

Laura and Reese allowed the king to make his way down the stretch, but it was hard to keep their hot tempered mares in line. Lethal Dose pounded the earth beneath her, nostrils flaring and eyes glaring. Her rangy frame told of experience and toughness, her eyes of ferociousness and purpose. The Lethal Knack filly was blooming and it was only a matter of time before she stormed to her grade three victory. She had that something extra that Laura was intent on fleshing out. The red head held the bay in despite her protestations. Siri was a similar handful and Reese was pretty much surprised.

The dark eyed woman shook the reins, finally knocking the bit out of Supernatural's teeth. The Red Mile winner and Dirt Mile Series winner had been a handful since the conclusion of those races. She'd been all go and no stop. Reese hardly had a doubt that the light gray filly was ready to fire in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. She loved The Wire and she'd be a handful for Italian Ice and whoever else decided to show up. But first they had to get there.

"Five furlong workout. Time to get them back on edge."

The orders were snappy enough to have Reese and Laura exchanging glances. Ripley's tense back gave them clues as to her mood. The woman was probably experiencing the same problems every human faced when they had to say goodbye to their world. This one was probably harder than most. When Mastermind flitted into a long striding gallop, drawing two lengths ahead, Reese and Laura knew they were in for a chase. Ripley was not going to make nice today.

With a quick snap of the reins, Ripley drew the red runner to the rail, easing herself close to his neck as he picked up speed. Sorrow, excitement, anticipation, and loss filled Ripley like the oddest alcoholic beverage she'd ever consumed. Mastermind glided beneath her as he always did, the picture of perfection and arrogance. His hoofbeats thrummed in rhythm with his breathing and he gave the appearance of effortlessness. She sat still on his long back, battling her feelings as much as the oncoming wind.

Lethal Dose crowded Supernatural down to the rail, ears pinned back in her wild black mane. Her mouth was agape and her nostrils flared to the size of saucers. Her fury was evident for no matter how hard she tried Laura would not release her. She could catch Mastermind at her top speed, but the son of a gun was cruising and she'd tire herself out. For now, Supernatural was the closest victim. The flea bitten gray was having none of her rival's spite and she pinned her ears, rallying enough to push the molten bay away. Their fury was nearly material to the onlookers, as was their frustration.

Mastermind and Ripley bounded through the backstretch, unaware of the goings on behind them. They were lost in their own world of speed and awe. Ripley's face was streaked with tears, not all from the wind. Mastermind chugged on indifferent at first until he realized their was no celebration going on above. He would have faltered, but Ripley shook the reins and sent him on. He bolted then, pounding more distance between himself and the other two, still with seamless ease. She was no longer still, but encouraging. She encouraged him for more as he tucked neatly to the rail, shortening stride only enough to navigate.

Lethal Dose and Supernatural were engaged in a ferocious battle of wills, so much so that they did not notice the gaping sea of sand between them and Mastermind. Their riders knew it was supposed to be a three horse workout, but now it was not. Mastermind had lit out of the turn like a bat out of hell, leaving Laura and Reese in awe. The women woke up when Siri floated Lee wide, tail switching over her gray rump. She'd had enough.

Lee crowed the speedy miler in once again rounding the turn, letting her rival know that she'd had enough as well. It would be a battle to the line and everyone would miss it. Everyone except the quartet who lived only in their world. Mastermind had become otherworldly and no longer would be treated as normal.

The reporters and spectators were silenced as the elegant chestnut stallion rolled through the stretch. His legs covered vast swaths of ground and he hardly looked real. He seemed to float over the sand, one with his environment. Ripley was still again as the ethereal horse galloped handily through the final fractions of his final workout. Many people touched their hearts and caps, saluting the arrogant horse as he crossed the line twelve in front of what had been his workmates. He continued into the turn, still clicking off impressive fractions despite the fact that his published exhibition was over.

The sound of thundering hooves barely drew the onlookers' gazes, though a few clockers noted the workout of Supernatural and Lethal Dose. Siri had finally gotten the better of her other half, but not by much. Still the fractions were terrific and spoke to the quality of both fillies. They'd completed their workouts and were set to go into their final races of the season at the top of their game.

Mastermind drew a handful of cheers and clapping as he passed, tail lifted and neck bowed. He breathed heavy until he returned to the gap where he quieted down. Silence followed him off the track, but next time Ripley intended to make them roar in a celebration fit for a king.