Johniee shifted her bulk about to see her latest visitors. The two lowly trainers had returned accompanied by a more richly dressed man. He was darker of features than the others and to Johniee's mind, the features looked cruel: small dark piercing eyes, a prominent hooked nose and a scar running the length of his cheek.
"You see master, she is a fine animal," said the first trainer, issuing a sharp, stinging whack of a stick on Johniee's rump, prompting her to turn around for the stablemaster. "Very smart and obedient with her best breeding years ahead of her."
The stablemaster apprised the new cow. She was indeed a fine addition to the Sultan's stables. Jarek the stablemaster was a good judge of animal and men. He was also a moor trained with a critical mind. This beast was not on the stable's lists. It was not simple fortune that dropped this fit and docile breeding specimen into his lap. "I must work on this mystery ." He thought. He turned to the first trainer, "Yes, you were right. She must be introduced to the herd and trained in tandem. Make ready Rex, the bull. And have him in the yard. I will ride her out."
"The bull, master? Should we not start with one more gentle?"
"Blattt?!" Johniee, worried, unintentionally trumpeted at the words.
"Do not dare to question me!" Jarek raised his hand and the trainer shrank from him. "Wait. What have you named her?"
"We had not thought of a name, Master."
"Good." Jarek turned to Johniee. "Your name will be Pearl, (Johniee felt himself blush) the jewel of the herd. Now, on your knees! Down, Down!" He whipped her head and shoulders and Johniee, stooped to his level and Jarek vaulted onto her back. "Up, up Pearl! Forward!"
"This is just getting worse!" thought Johniee. She moved forward, urged by the stinging blows on her rear. Johniee whiffed a musky, strong, not unapealing, scent in the air, curling her trunk.
Jarek caught her reaction and chuckled. "Ah yes you have missed the herd! You will like Rex, my dear Pearl. I think you may just tame him." Johniee shuddered at the sight of the huge bull elephant in the courtyard who trumpeted at the sight of the cow.
"Noo!" she cried, but all that came out was a responding trumpet. She wanted to hurl Jarek to the ground, but was helpless to follow her wishes and plodded forward, cowed and ashamed to meet her mate.
