Wow, how he had grown. Alexia could barely believe her eyes as the groom warmed Tortuga up ready for his workout. He moved fluidly, in a way which suggested that he was both strong and capable. But he had not been given the opportunity to shine. It was her own fault, really. Her own problems had seemed so much more important - grief, illness, it didn't really matter now though. He was home, they were together again.

"Tortuga."

The name made Alexia spin, and she beames at Lucas Lanning. Matthias's younger brother was as handsome as his brother had once been.
"But... Lucas... What... Why... How?"
"When I heard you had Tor I just had to come back. I'm still in shape and... Well, he's special you know. You and Mathhias spent hours talking about your dreams for him. How could I turn my back on his dreams? This boy has a lot to live up to."
"You mean?"
"Yep. This one is mine."
"Just him or...?"
"What, think I'm about to leave you high and dry. You can class me as back."

It was only then that she noticed the exercise clothing and she nodded.
"I would have it no other way..."

Lucas approached the colt slowly, but it was as if the thoroughbred looked right through him. He smiled, shaking his head. Yes, Tor had always been this way and it had been so long that of course they would need to rebuild that relationship they'd had when the colt was a youngster. He reached out with an open palm, expecting nothing, when suddenly Tor looked at him and then nuzzles at his hand. Perhaps this would not be such a long road after all.

After a moment, Lucas moved to the colt's side and pulled himself into the saddle.
"Nothing much today, my boy. Let's just take a run and see how we go?"

The groom lined the colt up, released the clip, and Lucas urged the colt on. That was all it took. Tor was off. Long, muscular legs took short quick strides as he built speed, the stride lengthening a little as they reached a good pace. Lucas shifted his position, patted the colt's neck, and bit his lip.
"Come on, you have more than this." He whispered, and Tor's ear flicked backwards a little. Lucas urged him forwards, and for a moment it seemed he would get nothing... Was Tor not the colt they had hoped? But then he dropped his head and threw himself forwards. This was more like it.

The world seemed to whiz by, and the colt seemed enthusiastic as he stretched out. Pushing, showing some signs of just what he might be capable of. As they passed the three furlong marker Lucas tried to slow the colt, not wishing to tire him, but it was a battle. Tor seemed to want to continue. When he finally did slow, it was to a trot and the juvenile seemed as fresh as ever. Lucas grinned, a groom finally helping to reign the youngster in. He slipped from the saddle and walked across to Alexia.

"Well?"
"We'll see. He has a lot of catching up to do... But maybe."