Trick Training

Niklaus arrived at Hela’s stall with a bounce in his step and an energy that made Chernysh pause mid-preen from where he sat on the rafters above Hela’s stall. His face was lit up with excitement as he opened the door.

“Alright, girl,” he announced as he clipped on her halter and a lead rope. “Today is going to be a fun day. You’re smart, capable… slightly unhinged and feisty, but I love that about you. So we’re going to do some trick training.”

Hela blinked at him slowly. Trick training? I do tricks every day. And I’m insulted that you think I need an entire day to learn them.

But Niklaus wasn’t paying attention, and led her eagerly out of the stall. Still, she followed him to the outdoor training arena, snow crunching under their feet. Chernysh cackled and followed, perching on a fence post and looked rather too interested in the proceedings, in Hela’s opinion. The air smelled crisp and clean, but the black horse could also smell another storm in the wind.

Niklaus waved at a bright orange cone in the snow with a flourish. “Right, here’s the plan for the first trick,” he pointed at Hela. “You’re going to learn to touch the cone on command. Then we’ll move on to picking it up and following me around.”

She stared at the cone, then moved her head to stare at him before back at the cone. Chernysh kraaaked in laughter.

Yes, thank you. Hela snorted disgustedly at him. Evidently he doesn’t think I am nearly as smart as I am.

“Don’t give me that look,” Niklaus protested as he unsnapped her lead rope. “This is fun. And it’s only the first trick. Now pay attention.”

Hela flicked an ear, bored. I am. Despite the fact that this is nonsense.

Niklaus walked over and tapped the cone. “Touch it.”

She shifted her weight, unimpressed.

“Touuuch it,” he repeated, wiggling his fingers over the cone dramatically. Chernysh hopped off his perch, landing directly on the cone with a self-satisfied croak.

“Not you!” Niklaus waved his hands at the bird as if to shoo him away as Hela huffed in laughter. The raven looked offended, wings flared as if to say he’d done exactly what was asked. As Niklaus continued to shoo him away, Chernysh hopped off the cone and scooted a few inches away, settling himself in the snow, glaring.

“Okay,” Nilaus said, looking over at Hela. “Your turn. Touch the cone, please.

She leaned forward, stretching her nose out as Niklaus began to cheer.

“That’s it! Just a little closer…” and Hela touched him firmly, bonking her nose on his forehead. Chernysh exploded into a cacophony of croaks, clacking his beak and flapping his wings in delight.

Hela lifted her head with impish satisfaction.

Niklaus put a hand to his forehead, and sighed, glaring half-heartedly at her. “You’re being obtuse on purpose.”

Hela’s tail flicked. Correct.

The stable boy laughed. “Okay fine, maybe it’s too easy. But… if you touch the cone, I’ll give you an apple slice,” he said slyly. The mare’s ears perked.

Apple? Fine, I will do dumb things for apples.

“Ha, I knew that would get your attention,” he teased her as he retrieved the slice from his coat pocket. “See? Now the cone.”

Hela lowered her head slowly and eyed the cone for a moment as doing such a task was well beneath her dignity, but the smell of the apple slice convinced her and with exaggerated deliberation she extended her muzzle and nudged the cone slightly.

Niklaus practically shot into the stratosphere. “YES! OH—good girl, GOOD GIRL!” He flung his arms around her neck, laughing.

Chernysh swooped down, clearly demanding his own reward, and landed on Hela’s back. He dropped a shiny button at Niklaus’s feet with a proud croak.

Niklaus stared at it. “Where did you—I don’t want to know,” he decided, rubbing his temples. “Anyway, Hela gets the apple because she touched the cone. Good girl.”

Hela accepted her slice with an elegant crunch, savoring the sweetness. Chernysh hopped impatiently until Niklaus gave him the smallest corner of the peel.

“Now,” the boy said, straightening, “let’s see if you can do it again.”

Hela considered the cone. She touched it immediately.

“Good girl!” He immediately fed her another apple slice. Then he lifted the cone, moving out of the way. “Want to try something new? Maybe—bowing?”

Hela stared at him. Absolutely not. I will not bow for anyone. But she nudged the cone again, earning another apple slice and a joyful squeal from the boy.

Niklaus grinned up at her, cheeks rosy, eyes bright. “You and me, Hela… we’re going to learn all sorts of things together.”

Hela lowered her head, gently brushing her nose against his hair.

The wind picked up, rustling Hela’s mane and sending soft flurries across the training yard. The world felt peaceful, settled, wrapped in the quiet companionship of boy, horse, and bird.

We already are. And maybe, if you keep feeding me apples, I will eventually consent to bowing.

Niklaus leaned his head against her neck, hugging her tightly and burrowing in against the cold.

Chernysh croaked his approval from her back, feathers fluffing against the cold. And in the quiet winter yard, beneath drifting flakes and distant estate lights, the three of them stood together—an unlikely trio bound more tightly with every shared moment.