My heart raced when York came to my head at the front of the carriage to tighten the bearing rein. Each time it happened it was almost more than I could bear. My neck and back screamed in agony as he forced my head higher and higher. I tried to focus on memories of my younger days, happily running in the fields with the other colts.

            My mother would often tell me that I was well bred, and I should always do my duty with no biting or kicking. I didn’t want to bite or kick York anyway because it was my lady who made him do this. He had tried to explain to her that it was too hard on the horses, but my lady insisted on riding in style as she called it.

            My new carriage partner, Max, was stoic as usual when York went to his head and cranked it up as well. After my friend, the red mare, Ginger, had fought kicking and rearing when York tried to raise her head to unnatural heights, she was replaced by Max. Max was solid black like me, so my lady was happier to have matching carriage horses at any rate.

            I tried to greet Max, but I was struggling to breathe, so I just emitted a pitiful grunt. He didn’t respond at all. I took it as no insult though since he had been subjected to the bearing rein for several months now, so I was sure it had taken its toll on him.

            My lady was taking longer than usual to approach the carriage as she stood at the top of the steps of the great house barking commands at the staff. Apparently, there was to be a great celebration later that evening. Max and I had no other recourse than to stand quietly as our chests heaved with each struggle to take in a breath. I could hear York grumbling, saying things like, heartless woman, monster, and the like. Max remained silent. After what seemed like an interminable amount of time, my lady approached the carriage. That was no relief for Max and me however, as we would now have to canter whilst struggling to breathe. At least, it meant we were closer to a relief from our agony and a return to our stalls though.

            That evening, after a hearty helping of mash and a rubdown by York, I dozed quietly in my stall. I was awakened by a gentleman I had never before seen. He opened my stall door and though his lips didn’t move, he spoke to me. I heard him in my head. I became frightened since this was a new occurrence for me. I started to raise my front legs into a full rear when he placed his hand on the side of my neck. I immediately felt calm, dropping my front hooves gently back to the earth.

            “Follow me,” the gentleman said in my head.

            “Where are we going?” I asked, but followed him anyway. It wasn’t just that I had always been taught to be obedient, but somehow, I trusted this tall, handsome, stranger.

            “We’re going to a party.”

            I followed him as he led me to the great house. It was ablaze in bright light. Candles and lanterns lit up the porch and entire house. It was a warm summer evening, so all the windows and doors were open.

            He led me to the side of the house. He turned and faced me and placed his hands on either side of my face. He whispered something in another language, one that I had never heard before. I felt great energy surge through my body. Instantly, all my aches and pains were gone. And there was something else; I felt powerful, but light as a feather at the same time.

            The gentleman transformed right before my eyes into a black horse. It was Max, my old friend. “You are one of us now, Beauty. We are called Nicor. In ancient times we took the form of dragons when we shifted, but dragons don’t blend in well with humans, so we decided to mimic our cousins to the north, the Kelpies. They have thrived for multiple millennia because they blended in so well.”

            Max transformed back into a human. “Wait here. York and my lady will pay for what they did to you.”

            “No, not York. He argued with my lady. It pained him to hurt me, Ginger, all of us.”

            Human Max paused. “Very well, as you wish.”

            “What will you do?” I called out into the night because Max was gone. I didn’t have to wait long though. My lady was laughing as Max held her waist and guided her to where I stood. Max held her because she stumbled from time to time but laughed when she did. I had never seen her in this state before.

            “Beauty is here to take you for a ride, my lady,” said Max supporting her as she looked at me.

            “Why, he’s wearing no tack, not even a halter.”

            “He’s a gentle beast, my lady.” Max lifted her onto my back. She was still laughing.

            When Max transformed into a horse, her laughter stopped. She tried to slide off me, but she was stuck fast because of the magic. Max galloped away and I followed. Our pounding hooves were like a crescendo keeping time with the screams of my lady.

            I dived into the depths of the lake right behind Max. My lady’s mouth was still gaping as she sank to the depths of the lake, but her screams were heard no more.

            I followed Max deeper into the lake, eager to meet my new family. We were no longer corporeal as our spirit forms flowed beneath the waters. One day soon I would return to the stable and free my friends, Ginger and Merrylegs.