Izzys Ponygirl Journey Pt 11

Izzy looked at her father in amazement. "You've left a lot out. An awful lot..."

"There were a few adventures and problems afterwards - your mum couldn't even boil water! - but that's not important now. The village welcomed us with open arms and we were all able to make a new home here. No one ever knew - except Oozol and probably Grall - that your mum was a ponygirl, although I think a few suspected it. But it was also a little easier than with a normal ponygirl: the prince's mare didn't have to be registered or pay taxes - the privilege of the nobles. Only her brand could give her away, and her missing teeth because of the horse's bit." He hung the saddle on a hook and stroked it carefully. "But once, horse hunters came to our village and your mother narrowly escaped them. If anyone in the village suspected the truth, they didn't give your mother away."

Izzy bit her lower lip. She herself had once surrendered a ponygirl... a feeling of deep shame spread through her. She had denied a poor girl the protection that her own mother had probably received.

"After that, we secretly registered her to Oozol, so we were covered in an emergency. Within a few months, your mum could speak quite well; and whenever someone asked us about it, we simply explained that she was from far away and had to learn our language first. It probably convinced most people. Apart from the three of us, only old Hersia ever knew the truth for sure, but she also helped you into the world, so it was hard for us to hide the brand. However, after that it was no longer important..."

They both looked sadly into each other's eyes. They had rarely spoken about Izzy's mother's death, partly because it was difficult for a child to understand that it was not their fault if their mother died in childbirth. Today Izzy was older, and understood things better, and yet she felt a burden on her that wasn't really hers.

"It would be so wonderful if she could see you today. I'm sure she would be able to give you better advice than I can on this subject. But you'll have to make do with your old father. But as you can see, I trust Oozol and his son. To the extent that I'll entrust you to them too, if that's what you want."

She chewed hard on her cheek until she could taste some blood. "I'm not sure. It's... not as bad as I thought. And somehow it's also..."

" "Liberating? Your mum always told me that life as a ponygirl was more carefree. As a horse, you don't have to worry about many things, the difficult issues are taken off your hands. She described it as a positive emptiness; she only learnt about real worries and hardships during the war and as a human. That's why she often went to the stables later in difficult times and occasionally let Oozol ride her. Maybe it was just nostalgia, but something about her old life had real meaning for her."

"In her former life, did she..." Izzy chewed on her lower lip. "Am I her..."

Matheus cleared his throat before answering. "She never wanted to tell me about that. I'm sure she didn't want to hurt my feelings. You have to understand that as a ponygirl, she had no choice. But the truth is also that even if you had siblings out there, the war will probably have eaten them. We all lost something in those years." He looked at her thoughtfully. "While we're on the subject, hopefully you'll give your old dad lots of grandchildren one day. Bastian always looked good to you."

Izzy suddenly blushed. "Yes, but he's also a cocky bastard. Besides..."

"Oh, grand foals would be fine too, of course."

"Stop it...!" Izzy gulped, preferring to change the subject hastily. "Has she ever forgiven you?"

"You mean about the prince?" He stared thoughtfully out of the door. "No, never really. It was a hard blow for her. It never tarnished our love, but it was still painful for her. That's why I have an inkling of what it's like between you and Grall. Everything I did for her was out of love, even if it didn't always feel that way to her straight away. But she trusted me and in the end she was happy. Give yourself time to think. It wasn't an easy choice for your mum. She often thought about going to Oozol in the stable. But our love grew with each passing day - it was a long journey, but you can believe me when I tell you that we were both happy in the end. She would have loved you very much." He wiped a small tear from his eye and took a deep breath. "I'll go to Oozol and tell him you're ill and can't come. That will give you some time to think. But before you go to bed, I'd better take you behind the stable again." Izzy blushed, but nodded gratefully.

Two days later, Matheus and Izzy were sitting down for breakfast. The bread was fresh and the cheese homemade. They ate it in silence, but both sensed the question in the air. They had not exchanged a word since their conversation in the stable, although they had often met - as was inevitable in such a small house. But Izzy was still unsure of herself, and Matheus seemed to sense this. He gave her the time she needed. But something was different at this breakfast. Izzy felt strangely alone, unneeded. As if she wasn't doing what she was supposed to be doing. She gritted her teeth.

"Do you want to try again?" her father finally asked, as if he had noticed his daughter's thoughts. Izzy was almost startled by the sound of his voice.

Two voices were shouting at each other in her head: Her emotions and her mind. Her feelings were about Grall, the rides and the fun they had often had together as ponygirl and rider. And then there was her mum... but at the same time her mind was screaming what a stupid cow she was to even think about it! The road could only end one way, and that wasn't good. But for a moment, her emotions got the better of her and she nodded.

"But you have to understand one thing, Izzy: goblin law is different from ours, especially when it comes to humans. There is a clear separation between humans and ponygirls, and that separation is irreversible. Only the goblins determine who is a human and who is a ponygirl. But most importantly, habit can lead to ownership in goblins. If too many goblins see you as a ponygirl, you're a ponygirl. Then Grall can declare you his property, even if you don't want him to." Again, Izzy nodded dumbly. Her mind screamed even louder, but she didn't listen.

They both finished breakfast in silence, then wordlessly walked out into the yard and into the stable. "You know how to do that?" she asked, even though she knew the answer. Her dress fell to the ground and he skilfully put the saddle on her, then the bridle and boots. He held the horse bit in his hand. "Are you sure you want this?"

"Not forever. But I want to try again."

"You don't have to do it just because your mum was a ponygirl."

Izzy thought for a long time before answering. It was a strange feeling, and maybe it was true - it wasn't just about Grall, her mum was a reason too. "I want to understand how she lived. Just one more time. Then I'll stop."

Matheus led them along a narrow footpath to Oozol's courtyard so that no one could see them. They both stopped in front of the entrance. "Have fun, Buttercup," her father said before tying her to a post and walking back. It was still very early and dark, the yard was asleep, so she had to wait until almost dawn to be found. It was strangely humiliating to have to wait tied up like that, but of course she had no choice - but somehow it was also exactly the kind of life she wanted to experience again. Her time was meaningless; she was only there to be available to her rider at all times, and otherwise wait to be needed. Izzy endured it without grumbling - her mum had grown up like this and she wanted to feel what it meant again; it was the first time in her life that she felt truly connected to her mother. Does everyone else feel like this when they follow in their parents' footsteps, Izzy wondered, shuffling her hooves.

With the rising sun, Pexo found her and, yawning, loosened her reins. Without a word, he led her across the yard and past her usual stable. "Your stable isn't clean yet, you'll have to wait somewhere else for a moment," he explained, his eyes dropping. "This one should be fine." He put his hand over his mouth, then opened the door, pushing Izzy inside and slamming only the bottom door shut behind her. The sun was rising behind the stable, so it was still gloomy inside despite the open top half of the door, but Izzy was used to that by now. She sighed and was about to sit down in a corner when she noticed a movement in the darkness. She startled and pressed herself against the door. Although her eyes were still used to the night, it was not enough to recognise more than a shadow, but she knew by instinct that she was not alone. Another pony was in the stable with her. But who? She lifted her nose into the air and detected an unfamiliar odour - it was pleasant and tart, strange and yet familiar. She ventured a step forwards; was it Sunshine? No, she smelled different. All ponygirls smelled different. Her legs became soft. She neighed softly, it sounded shrill and anxious in her ears too. The answer was also a neigh - it was deeper, more powerful. A stallion.

Izzy trembled. Was it Titan? The stallion she had seen before? He was big, powerful, strong, interesting... and exciting.

She swallowed and took a step into the darkness. By now, more light was coming into the stable and she could make out the first outline. The stallion rose slowly and Izzy sensed that he was studying her closely. She was already more in the light and must be a pleasant sight for him. She knew very well how men reacted to women - in this case, that probably translated well to a stallion and a mare. She neighed once more and the stallion took a step forwards. It was only a small movement, but with his muscular legs he crossed half the stable until the chains stopped him. The sun revealed more of his form, and also the enthusiasm he showed for her. Izzy blushed; but wasn't it also flattering? Had she ever been able to get another man so excited for her? She didn't know for sure, but here it was right in front of her. The stallion grinned through his bit. There was still a couple feet separating them, but only for as long as Izzy wanted. Something drew her to him, close to him, to his strong chest. She licked her teeth and took a step towards him. Not enough to be with him, but enough to make him tug wildly at the chains.

"What's going on?" shouted Grall. Izzy turned round on the spot and stared at Grall and Oozol, who were leaning over the stable door watching her. Horrified, she took a few steps backwards and bumped into the stallion, who enthusiastically thrust his manhood between her thighs, but didn't quite reach his target. She was startled and hopped forwards again; she stumbled and hit the door. "Take it easy, Buttercup. What are you doing in the stable with Titan?" He turned to the yard and shouted, "Who put my horse in the stable with Titan?

"I'm sure it was just an accident, son. Calm down. Nothing happened after all. Although Buttercup looks a bit disappointed," Oozol sneered.

Grall was upset like he rarely was and Izzy looked at him with wide eyes. "How could you look at that so calmly. You know her - did you want her to have a foal?"

"She's not a ponygirl, like she always says. She can decide for herself. Are you telling me she wasn't interested?"

Izzy's head was spinning. Oozol really was a true goblin. Would he have watched if... if... no, it wouldn't have happened! She was just curious. Nevertheless, she felt something wet on her bum that the stallion had left behind. Was that what a ponygirl felt like? Her mum had too... - she quickly suppressed the thought.

"Look how unhappy Titan is. You should give them some more time," Oozol suggested, but Grall shook his head vigorously.

The young goblin opened the door and pulled Izzy roughly by the reins behind him. "How could you! You really offered yourself to him!" he scolded, visibly indignant. "You... oh, I should have known. You ponygirls are all the same." He took her to her own stable, which, to her surprise, now even bore a plaque with her name and a few dates - her ponygirl name, of course: Buttercup, Riding Horse. Tame.

She rolled her eyes. Tame; of course, what else could a goblin think of her? Grall walked away without a word, but he threw his arms in the air several times on the way and grumbled something unintelligible.

While she waited for Grall, the other horses were prepared for their day, and then it was her turn. Grall seemed to have calmed down a bit, he even smiled a little. "I'm sorry I was so rude - I was just surprised. Fortunately, nothing happened. But it's nice to have you back. You did choose me, didn't you?" He took the horse bit out of her mouth.

"You only have me for today, then I'll stop," she explained, and Grall nodded disappointedly. "My father told me everything about my mum. It's just too much for me. I can't and don't want to be a ponygirl forever. Besides, school starts again tomorrow. You only have a week's holiday left, too. When we're finished, I'll get rid of this stupid tax stamp, it always rubs my leg!" She blushed slightly when Grall looked at it. "How could my mum live with that?"

Grall put the bit back in her mouth with slumped shoulders, but something about his eyes told Izzy that he hadn't quite given up yet. But in the end it didn't matter, this was her decision. "If she was the prince's horse, she certainly didn't have any. A prince don't pay taxes. As a farewell, I have something special planned," he said. After a quick "Tack", he sat in the saddle and rode her out of the courtyard.

Izzy was determined to let every experience sink in today. She was already completely used to the horse bit, but today she concentrated again to taste the metal and the wood, to feel the sensation on her tongue and never forget any of it. Grall pushed her along and soon they were on a short ride on the goblin side of town, but still far enough out so no one could see them. Her hooves kicked up dirt from the footpath, while birds sang softly in the trees. It was another beautiful day, and a pleasant farewell to the holidays that had changed so much for Izzy. She was lost in her thoughts again and Grall stopped her with the reins before she even noticed the goblins ahead. She froze in shock.

"So you really weren't lying. Well, well, a real ponygirl," said an ugly little goblin boy. Izzy always had a hard time guessing the age of goblins, but this one had to be about the same age as Grall.

Izzy had heard about these goblins before, they were from Grall's class, but that didn't make it any better that they saw Izzy like this now; slowly the names came back to her: The boy in front of her was called Kreks, next to him - slightly taller - was Yreo and behind them were two girls: Mexi and Lidea.

"I always tell the truth. This is Buttercup I told you about," Grall said with pride in his voice. Izzy's blood froze in her veins. She wanted to look at him, but the reins prevented it. How dare he tell others about her like that! Oozol had promised her that no one would find out, and now her own best friend, of all people, was betraying her.

"Looks good," Yreo said as he walked around Izzy, patting her flank and bum repeatedly. "Gorgeous build, good stature. Good round saddle bum. Decent breasts; the bit sits well in the mouth, only the mane is a bit wild." Izzy closed her eyes at this description, but her ears remained open to her displeasure. "It does make me a little envious, my father just won't buy me a ponygirl. You're one of the few in the class to have your own, lucky you."

He doesn't have his own ponygirl, Izzy thought, but discussing it with the horse bit in her mouth was impossible. Besides, she wanted to know how a ponygirl felt, and that was the way it was. You were judged and evaluated, but had no say in the matter. But she also remembered her father's warning well; she had never been so dangerously close to the real life of a ponygirl - and, to her shame, she felt a warm feeling in her underbelly when she thought about it.

"Tack!" Grall ordered and got out of the saddle with the help of the stirrups.

"You've trained her well," Yreo remarked.

"She's very docile," Grall boasted to Izzy's displeasure.

"Does she sit too?"

"Why not? I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure she listens. Zhrak!" Izzy blushed. She had only recently heard the command in her father's story, but she knew exactly what was expected of her now. She bit her lip, looked angrily at Grall for a moment, then dropped to her knees and bowed her head. It was humiliating - like so many things before - but she probably had no choice if she didn't want to give herself away.

The girls watched Izzy at a distance, but Kreks was less shy. "Come on, let's go for a ride too. You said she was fast."

"She's the fastest horse in my father's stable."

"You can tell a lot!"

Grall pondered, and Izzy was beginning to hope he would turn it down, but a sharp "Tack" showed her he wasn't. What a fool! "Ladies first!" He grinned at the two girls; Mexi in particular blushed. Izzy was fuming, but Grall just stroked her bum - and even briefly between her legs to her horror - and made soothing noises that only excited Izzy more. "Please play along. I couldn't keep my mouth shut, I'm sorry about that. I'll make it up to you, I promise!" He turned to the others. "You don't have to be afraid, Buttercup is a very tame horse, she won't harm you." Izzy stamped her feet. The girls approached her uncertainly; there was genuine fear in their eyes. Izzy was a little ashamed that she had frightened them so much and lowered her head.

Mexi mounted Izzy first. Grall held Izzy's reins tightly so that she didn't jump up in fright. It was still a strange feeling for Izzy to have a rider other than Grall in the saddle. The girl took the reins with trembling hands and gave Izzy a kick so light she almost didn't notice it. Now she really had become a ponygirl - she no longer allowed her best friend a place in the saddle, she was ridden without being asked. The girl was lighter than Grall, so light that Izzy almost didn't notice the weight on her back. She trotted along the road for a short loop before Mexi dismounted again. "That was so exciting, my first ride on a ponygirl. Thank you Buttercup!" She gave Izzy a little kiss on the forehead and received a friendly neigh and a place in Izzy's heart as a thank you.

She was followed by Lidea, who was already a little more seasoned. They travelled halfway down the road with, as did Yreo, who was clearly an experienced rider. He held the reins lightly and only intervened when necessary. Grall could learn a thing or two from him, Izzy thought, and she realised that she could now even judge the qualities of different riders; what a strange experience. "She has a good gait, if still a little raw. I'm sure your father can still train her a little more."

Last up was Kreks. The boy was very excited, he immediately jumped into the saddle and gave Izzy a good kick before she had fully risen. Grall warned him to be careful, but Kreks urged Izzy on. Behind the last row of trees, he pulled hard on her reins and steered her painfully onto the next road, out of sight of the others. As soon as they had disappeared behind the trees, Kreks took a thin elastic twig out of his shirt and cracked it like a whip on Izzy's bottom. Izzy howled loudly, but at the same time she jumped forwards as if she could escape the whip. That was nonsense, of course, as her tormentor was sitting on her back, and yet it worked with every stroke. The whip alternately cracked against her buttocks and sent Izzy galloping across the gravel track like a whirlwind. "Faster, faster!" Kreks shouted and tormented Izzy until her bum was covered in welts. The loud clop-clop-clop of her hooves echoed through the forest. Kreks led her in a wide arc back to the others, where she stopped, exhausted and in tears. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her whole backside was burning like fire; she didn't even notice the horrified looks on the faces of the other goblins when Grall pulled the boy out of her saddle.