Teagan's Amazing Experience (Story - Chapter 4)

“Are you teasing me in some way,” Teagan said to the small but very handsome man that had spoken to her?

With a sly grin he answered, “Why do you think I might be teasing you?  Are you used to being teased?”

Now a little flustered, she looked from the man to the horses and then back. “You said that this was just the beginning and . . . Well, I just wondered what that might mean.” She was able to smile back at the man.

“I’m Werd,” he said, thrusting his hand up toward her.

She cautiously shook hands and then squinted at Werd. “Please tell me what you mean - it’s making me crazy wondering.” Her voice had a high and pleading quality to it.

“Are you going to tell me your name or are you so enthralled with the horses that you’ve forgotten your manners?”

With her face flushed a bright red, Teagan mumbled, “I’m so terribly sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m Teagan.”

“I’m so glad to meet you, Teagan,” Werd said, bowing slightly at the waist. “Now that we’re through being silly, would you like to get on with things?”

Werd’s words snapped her back to reality . . . or at least to whatever kind of reality this was she was in. “Yes,” she said. “Yes I would really like to find out what else is going to happen here.”

“Well little lady, here, take my hand and let’s get started.” He held out a small hand to her.

Teagan squinted one eye, a puzzled expression on her face. And, she did not accept his hand, wary of what was going on.

“You have to take my hand because I’m your boy friend while you’re here,” he said rather matter-of-factly.

“Boy friend!” she said incredulously.

“Sure,” he replied. “What’s wrong with that?”

“I don’t even know you, so how can you be my boy friend. That’s ridiculous.” Her face had taken on a stiff and defiant look.

“Ohhhhh, now wait just a second,” he countered. “Where are you?”

“I’m here,” she said. “Here in Acinorev, if I said that right.”

“Exactly,” he replied, “and you’re here by your own choice. No one forced you to be here.” He still held out his hand to her. “And, when you’re here you have to live by the rules of Acinorev. So, while you’re here, I’m your boy friend.” A very pleasant smile covered his rather handsome face.” He wiggled the fingers of his hand, encouraging her to take hold of it.

“Do I have to hold your hand to keep going in this ‘adventure’,” she asked.

“Yep,” he said crisply.

Slowly she reached out and took his hand. It felt fairly normal, she thought, quite like it had felt holding her last boy friend’s hand. She was rather surprised and was suddenly not quite sure what she had been expecting. She also felt a little self-conscious for some reason.

They walked along together, she particularly conscious of the music from the flowers and trees and he swinging her hand and humming to the music. He was obviously familiar with it and seemed to really enjoy it. She was really getting curious now about what was going to happen, all the while being very conscious that this whole thing was very, very weird. Where was she . . . really, and who were these strange little people? Those thoughts kept hammering away at her brain until she nearly had a headache.

“Well now, Teagan,” Werd finally said, giving her hand a slight squeeze. “I understand that you really love horses and riding.” He gave her a little wink.

“I do,” she affirmed. “I love riding and I love all these wonderful horses,” she added, gesturing toward the huge field moving slowly by beside them.

“Well, we’re going to make sure that you get to ride, and whichever horse you choose.” It was his turn to gesture toward the field.

She was excited now - riding was the very best thing there was and she could hardly wait. She could feel herself tingling all over as she anticipated the ride.

“Let’s see now,” Werd said, stopping suddenly and looking over at her. “Did you bring a saddle with you?”

“Bring a saddle,” she stammered. “How could I have brought a saddle?”

“Well, I wasn’t there you know, when you came across, so I don’t know what you brought with you.”

“I have my pajamas on,” she retorted. “I don’t carry a saddle when I’m in my pajamas.” She was suddenly a little perturbed.

“You have to have a saddle to ride, and you can either rent one here or buy one.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Not much else to do if you want to ride.”

“I don’t have any money,” she snorted, getting a little disgusted with the way things seemed to be going from good to bad.

“Lots of work to be done here though. You can easily earn the money. Nothing is free, you know, even here in Acinorev. I’m sure you’ve learned that wherever you came from.” He smiled broadly at Teagan.

“So, I can work a while and earn, money I assume, and then get the saddle I need to ride?”

“Oh, definitely,” he replied, shaking his head vigorously. “That’s the way we do things here. If you’d like to get started, I can help you do that too.”

“What kind of work is it that I’ll be doing?”

“Lots of horses, lots of stalls, and lots of . . . well, you know,” Werd said. “And, If you like horses that well, I’m sure you know what needs to be done.” He held out his hand again. “Come on now, and let’s get going.”

“How much do I earn here, or how many stalls do I have to clean to earn the saddle?” They began walking toward the huge barns that Teagan had not seen before.

“Not to worry,” Werd said in his most reassuring voice. "We’ll tell you when you’ve done enough. We just watch and let you know. Actually, that’s my job.” Another big smile from the handsome little man.

“Oh good,” Teagan replied, her mind working as she walked along holding hands with Werd. Perhaps she could figure something out here, she thought, her mind swerving onto a devious, and perhaps bumpy side road.

They were at the barn doors and Werd tugged her hand, directing her inside. There, stretching nearly as far as she could see on both sides of the long center aisle, were a seemingly infinite string of stalls. She turned to look at Werd and saw that his smile had disappeared. He let loose of her hand.

“You better get started,” he said. “In here, I’m not your boy friend.”

She felt her heart sink, and once more a thousand questions filled her mind.