Thinking Thursday - Will Zenobia will the Alexandria, Egypt Horse Race?

Happy Thanksgiving! We want to thank all of you who support our cause. The fight for justice started with Zenobia the warrior queen who conquered Egypt and challenged Rome and continues today as we share her message.

Don’t be afraid to show who you really are.

In Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, chapter forty-seven is the start of the horse race; powerful Arabian stallions are competing against her and her mare Bethy. There are many who don’t want to see a girl in the horse race, so they purposely try to bump and hurt her so she won’t be able to finish. A lot of times they say a horse and rider are one in mind and this next seen proves just that.

No one foresaw what happened next. Zenobia could not see Bethy’s eyes, but they were filled with fury that matched those of her rider. Abruptly the mare jerked her head right and bit with all her might the first thing her mouth touched. It was the left thigh of Whisper’s rider, and he screamed in pain and veered right into Brownstone. Zenobia glimpsed the collision and quickly looked back to her right. The two stallions were out of the race, one riderless, the other limping.

The near audience could hear the wounded rider yelling, “That mare’s crazy! They’re both crazy! They’re both she-devils!” In his box, Alim Hasshel cursed the gods responsible for this, while in the back of the stands a tall scholar shook his head in disbelief. The mouth of Amanus opened in silent shock, while his sisters yelled in delight. Tabira shot a smile at the governor, but all his attention was focused on the racecourse.

Salim raised a fist and yelled, “Yes! Great bite, Bethy!” 

Now I can’t go on and tell you what happens in this race, I don’t want to give away the ending. Don’t be fooled in thinking that the race is won just because Bethy got a good bite and two riders are out of the race. In fact some have been paid hefty by Alim Hasshel to make sure she doesn’t finish the Alexandria, Egypt race. He is determined to silence a woman who dares to compete in a man’s world. He wants to teach her a lesson on the proper place of a woman. Alim becomes a powerful enemy in book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend. Everybody is waiting with anticipation for when Zenobia becomes Queen and challenges Rome, but these first two books will give us a glimpse of how a powerful warrior is made.

Will she win the Alexandria horse race? Give me your answer in the comments. If you have already read book one, tell us what your looking forward to in the release of book two.

Thinking Thursday - the bond between Zenobia and her horse Bethany

When Cam gives Zenobia a filly as a gift the connection between horse and rider was instant. Zenobia recognized and respected the power in her beautiful black Arabian horse.  Chapter thirteen is the beginning of Zenobia’s strong relationship with Bethany that will continue through-out her life.

     “She is a beauty,” her mother admitted. “She’s bigger than some stallions. Have you named her?”

     “Not yet. I’m thinking of ‘Bethany.”

     “…Zenobia thrilled to feel the power as the mare reached full stride. Riding bareback, with no saddle to hinder the intimate contact, she felt one with her mount. She could feel the movement as the front legs stretched out and back, again and again, though she realized it was the powerful haunches that did the hardest work. With only an occasional touch of the reins, Bethy kept to the trail.”

     “…How was she?”

    “Great. She’s fast as the wind, and strong. I tried to tire her out and I lost! Also, she has real spirit and learns fast, but she can be stubborn!”

     “I’ve heard it said that great riders pick a horse a lot like themselves,” Zelina remarked with a faint smile.

     Do you ever wonder about the stories you have read and the movies you have seen that portray this amazing bond between humans and horses and if they are real? Many books have been written about the uniquely special bond that exists between human and horse. Those who have experienced this relationship first hand appreciate how intense this bond can be. Zenobia and Bethany’s exemplify the human and animal relationship that can be achieved.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.

~ Sir Winston Churchill