Wir lieben Tiere

On my way to work, I noticed a newsstand selling magazines from Jorvik. In Riders Today, there was an interesting article about the ambitious young rider Claire Riverton from Jarla Equestrian, based at the Jorvik Stables. I had recently been there with Field. Claire was active in top-level competition riding, but her true passion was said to be something else entirely – though still a secret. Oh, if only I could ride like her. When I arrived at the office, I found an email from a potential buyer for the ranch in my inbox. Email:

From: Mrs. Drake

Subject: Property Jorvik

Dear Ms. Meadowland, We have learned that the property parcel 158/1–27 in the Firgrove area has been transferred into your ownership. We would like to express our strong interest in this property. The condition of nature is extremely important to us. And we love animals as well – as long as we don’t have to take care of them ourselves – but there are employees, after all. We would take them over. Money is no object, so please name your price and let us know a date for signing the contract. Yours sincerely, G.E.D. Jarlaheim Mrs. Drake It sounded very promising, and I was thrilled. I only wondered how Mrs. Drake had found out about it. After all, I hadn’t made my plans public yet. Perhaps word had simply spread across the island. I replied immediately and arranged an appointment. At the agreed time, Mrs. Drake arrived at Meadowland, accompanied by her employer, Mr. Kembell. I began the tour at the outdoor stables and planned to show them the riding arena afterward, but they showed no interest.

Mrs. Drake: “No thank you, we’ve seen enough. Let’s sign the contract now.”

Mr. Kembell pulled out a contract almost a meter long, filled with fine print. Suddenly, a man with a leg prosthesis appeared and interrupted the conversation.

Man: “Stop, Gillian! Don’t sign anything! Do you know who you’re dealing with? These fraudsters will destroy everything here and exploit the land.”

Gillian: “I had no idea. Is that true? Who are you?”

It was true. The man was Hugh, a representative of the HRA, who ran a rescue ranch on South Hoof. He told me that G.E.D. used fraudulent schemes to acquire land, only to destroy it through resource extraction. I would never sell the ranch to these people! Deep in thought, I sat down on the bench in front of the stables. Josh joined me. I felt terribly guilty.

Gillian: “I’m sorry, Josh. I was looking for the easiest way out and recklessly put your jobs and George’s legacy at risk.”

Josh: “You could have talked to us, missy. We could have figured out together what might not be the easiest – but the best – path for everyone.”

Josh told me that Uncle George had always cared deeply about the well-being of the horses and his employees. Only someone who is treated well will treat horses well, too. Many of the animals had been given up on by others – George never gave up on them. Whether they were difficult, unhealthy, or ruined by riders, he saw each one’s uniqueness and helped find a way for them to live a healthy, long life. As a riding horse, a companion, or a retiree – there was a solution for every horse. He was eccentric, but he was a good man. I decided to stay at the ranch for a few more days. There was always a free room in the house, and of course a place for Field. I took everything in and tried to see it through George’s eyes. Thinking about his legacy, I realized it clearly: this is my place. The place I had been searching for so long, without knowing how – or where – to find it.