Fantasy Fiction posted January 9, 2025

Chapters:

...8 9 -10-

Atrius takes Diantha to meet new friends.

A chapter in the book Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man

A Glimpse of Paradise

by davisr (Rhonda)

Background
A fanciful tale of adventure. Phoebus, son of Poseidon, is a god turned Centaur by Zeus. Diantha, is a young lady in peril. Together, they must face an evil foe, and make some difficult choices.

Ending of last chapter:

"Good, now take a deep breath and close your eyes. We're about to go over the last hill before we reach Concorde Valley. It is one of the most beautiful sites in the world, and I've seen my share."

"How? I can't imagine you'd fit in too well outside this valley."

"My dear, if I wish anonymity, a person could look straight at me and never see a glimmer."

"Another power of Centaurs?"

"No, the practice of illusion. People tend to see what they expect."

"So, you're a magician, too?"

"And the layers just keep adding on, don't they?" Atrius uttered a musical laugh that tickled Diantha's soul.

Why was it she had searched for just such a man her entire life and ended up finding him in a creature she could never attain?

New Chapter Begins:

Abandoning her musings, Diantha did as her new friend suggested. She closed her eyes and let the essences of clean air and fragrant spring flowers permeate her senses. As she opened her eyes, she gasped in wonder. There beneath them sprawled a quaint village bathed in gold from the early morning sun.

Although hidden from the outer world, it was resplendant with life. Diantha breathed in the vitality of Concorde Village and exhaled tensions from her former life. She wondered how one moment could change your life forever, but she knew it just had.

A sigh escaped her lips. "It's stunning." No worries could reach her heart, past or present, because it was full of wonder.

With a quiet nod, Atrius allowed the beauty of the valley to work its magic. There was more healing quality in the pristine landscape than anything he owned in his medical collection.

As she looked around, she could see that the town was built in a series of concentric circles spiraling downward towards a lake at the valley's core.

The level just beneath them had crops planted as far as Diantha could see in one direction, and in the other, fenced off grazing animals.

Below the farmland was a residential section. It was furnished with multicolored houses dotted around like so many flowers in a garden. The hand of the equine king was evident in its arrangement.

Beneath that was the final circle which, for what Diantha could tell, was full of businesses.

The valley was so wide it stretched far beyond her view. If there was more to see, she was not able to do so.

"What do you think?" Atrius asked.

"Mesmerizing," Diantha remarked, "and, well... very organized."

Atrius chuckled appreciatively. "You have a careful eye, Diantha. The valley is built around tiers we've designed to be self-contained. The level we're on is the least organized. It's where we let nature express itself."

"Wild-lands?"

"Forest, anyway, but even that is well-tended."

"By whom? Another of the hats you wear?"

"Not this time. I do look out for it, but it's more the responsibility of my son, Georgios."

"I remember you talking about him before. I'd love to meet him."

Atrius glanced over his shoulder and fixed her with intense green eyes. "That depends on how long you stay."

Diantha responded by arching a well groomed eyebrow. Her wavy auburn hair cascaded down slender shoulders, and her uncertain hazel eyes met his. "I wish I knew the answer to that question. Remember, my horse brought me here."

"The first step was hers, but the next is yours. I can't tell you what to do. Somehow, somewhere you must find the answer inside you."

Diantha glanced down at her hands. "Help me?"

"We all will, but don't overthink things. Just enjoy the ride. You'll figure it out."

Diantha giggled. "So, besides mysterious sons and a lovely view, what else does your valley have to offer?"

"Adventure," Atrius replied. His soft voice was tinged with challenge. "I have a feeling that's one thing missing from your former life."

"That's fair, but I was going to nursing school."

"Which you were being forced to quit in order to marry a man your parents insisted on."

Diantha's eyes dropped downward. "Yeah, one I didn't love, and who distinctly did not love me."

Atrius squeezed her hand. "I can't change your past. I wouldn't want to if I could, but I can give you a headstart on a new one. I'll start by introducing you to a family that's most anxious to meet you."

Diantha returned the affectionate gesture and smiled. "Thank you, but I'll admit, I'm still a bit nervous to meet them."

"Don't be. They're just ordinary people."

"Like you?" Diantha chuckled with good humor.

"What, don't I look normal to you?"

"Where I come from, they would call you a fantasy creature."

"Isn't that the same thing as make-believe."

"Yeah."

Atrius winked at her. "Do you believe now?"

"Hard not to."

"Some people have trouble believing what they don't understand, even if it is staring them in the face."

"Back to your magician gig?"

"Yeah. Are you ready?"

Diantha took in a deep, anxious breath and let it out slowly. Don't overthink things, don't overthink things...

Atrius descended from the wooded area, passed the rural one, and then on to the residential.

Diantha was so delighted by the homey look of all the houses, she forgot to be nervous. An uncommon feeling was creeping into her heart. Was that joy? Excitement? No, it was just what Atrius had said... adventure.

The regal Centaur paused at the door of a house painted a pastel blue. He knelt to the ground for Diantha to disembark. He arose slowly, then placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her. A twinkle graced his eyes and a smile his contenance.

"Your journey begins."

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Post Number 300
A Milestone Post

The village image is from IZEA.

Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics.

White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family. Her Horse Name is Champion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. He is cursed by Zeus and sent to Concorde Valley as a Centaur.

Atrius: Pseudonym of Phoebus. He has amnesia from his youth and was renamed by a caretaker. Now lives in Concorde Valley.

Eudora: Youngest daughter of Zeus and Hera - She's spoiled and petulant and purely made up on my part. She's also the indirect reason Phoebus is turned into a Centaur.

Eternal: Phoebus' favorite black stallion. A gift from Poseidon to get his youngest son started in horse breeding. He's an immortal and hopefully the father of Phoebus' planned bloodline.

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Atrius takes Diantha to meet new friends.

A chapter in the book Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man

A Glimpse of Paradise

by davisr (Rhonda)

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