There are six candidates
for the position of barn leader. The leader will be responsible for a barn of
ten winged horses, their riders, and their grooms. He or she will also have to
drill the riders and horses in aerial dances and races to prepare for the Aerial
Games, a sort of Olympics in the air. Read this interview carefully. Who would
you select if you were Lady Elizabeth?
Lady Elizabeth: Oh,
welcome and good morning! Let me take a moment to introduce myself since, after
all, I will be the patroness of the new barn with its ten winged horses. My
papa is making all the arrangements for the building of the barn, but he
promised I shall be the one to select the barn leader. The six of you are to be
considered for the job. Now where shall I start? How about Davyd? I am
intrigued by you being here, Davyd, since you are not a winged horse rider at
all. Why do you think you should be barn leader?
Davyd: To be
honest, milady, I am quite happy being High Meadow’s tavern keeper. I
understand, though, that you want someone well respected in the town. I was one
of the founders that helped bring the winged horses here.
Emma: He’d be a
great barn leader! High Meadow’s people love him. He’s very organized and cares
deeply for people.
Davyd: Well, I do
for you, my love. But actually, Lady
Elizabeth, Emma would be a good barn leader. She’s an excellent rider and well
loved by everyone.
Emma: Hush now,
you’ll make me blush. I have the baby to care for, you know. I won’t have time
to be a barn leader.
Evan: Just like
you, Davyd, to push her into even more work. My brother’s right about one
thing, Lady Elizabeth, Emma would be a good choice to lead a barn. She’s
charming and intelligent as well as beautiful.
Lady Elizabeth: Oh,
sounds like Emma has two champions. And brothers, you say? I can imagine that
gets awkward sometimes. What about you, Nia? You’re a little young to lead a
barn, but you were recommended.
Nia: My name has
been put forth by several factions. I’m not sure why they would want an untried
teenaged girl to lead. I can only imagine they think they can manipulate me to
do what they want. I will not be manipulated. In fact, I won’t take the job of
leader unless I can determine for sure that no one expects me to be their
puppet. I will run it my way or I won’t run it all.
Lady Elizabeth: My,
such strong words from such a little lady.
Evan: Nia’s not so
innocent.
Nia: What do you
mean?
Evan: Aw, look at
her blush!
Ralf: Aren’t we
here to discuss the future? I think the leader of the new barn should be
someone with a different viewpoint so High Meadow barns don’t face the problems
that plagued Tremeirchson and forced us to move.
Davyd: I suppose,
as the rebellious one, that you are full of these good ideas?
Ralf: The winged
horses need to be returned to Tremeirchson, their ancestral home.
Davyd: And an
untried youngster, a stranger to High Meadow can do that? You’ve never even
been in a barn!
Alyna: Davyd,
please, he’s my brother. He means well, and he has a point.
Nia: Alyna would be
a good leader. She’s young like me, but new to High Meadow. She has only her
winged horse’s wellbeing in mind. If she cares for a whole barn the way she
does that horse, it would be the best-run barn in High Meadow!
Evan: Maybe you two
young girls should take it on together? Would you like that, Alyna?
Nia: Stop it, Evan.
You’re making her uncomfortable.
Emma: Come here,
Alyna, sit by me. Don’t pay any attention to Evan.
Evan: Lady Elizabeth, I am the only viable candidate. After
all, I’m the only one who has actually led a barn of winged horses. Alpha Barn
was a tribute--a barn full of all-white winged horses and expert riders.
Davyd: And look
where that got you. Interviewing for another barn to lead? Really? As I see it,
Nia and Alyna will be good leaders someday. They’re too young right now. Ralf
is too much of a rebel. Not everyone will follow him willingly. Evan is quite
selfish, to be honest. He has only his own welfare at heart, not that of the
barn. Emma is a mentor to all the riders. She’s perfect.
Lady Elizabeth: And
what about you, Davyd?
Emma: I think…
Lady Elizabeth: I
want to hear from him.
Davyd: I would
respectfully accept the honor, milady.
Lady Elizabeth: I
can see why each of you has been recommended to me, but I don’t see a clear
favorite. I will have to think on this. You are dismissed.
These candidates are key
characters in my three flying horse novels.
On a Wing and a Dare
Davyd, Emma, Evan
In the Winds of Danger
Nia,
Evan
Under a Wild and
Darkening Sky
Davyd, Alyna, Ralf
So those are the
candidates. Who would you choose?
From that interview alone, Nia.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the choice of Nia, but would like to know more about Nia's thoughts on the future of the Winged Horses in High Meadow
DeleteAh, you go with the untried young girl? :)
Delete