Horses have often been the unsung heroes of battles throughout history. So many great horses died with or beneath their rider, their bravery and individual efforts lost in the tragedy of war. Some of these noble beasts avoided obscurity by being immortalised as the steeds of great warriors or leaders. I have based many of my hero’s mounts in the Destiny sagas on these famous equestrian heroes. Here is an insight into the research and detail that find their way into the equestrian characters of Destiny.
The breed type and size of horses appearing in Destiny range from the Nordic breed of small mountain horses the Avolonians use to carry supplies, to the great war destriers of the middle ages. Chargers and the noble Andalusian breed bring quality and speed to the animals in the story and even the huge shire-horse makes an appearance. The technology of the timeline allows for saddles, stirrups and bridals which revolutionised the use of horses in warfare.
1. Shadin (The Devil) Arc’s War Stallion.
Shadin is an invention of my own imagination. I saw him as clear as day as a huge, shining, black Arabian stallion. Arc wins the magnificent beast in battle and goes on to ride him into every battle of Exodus and War Storm. Many famous warhorses were notorious for being bad tempered, difficult to control and tolerant of only one master. Shadin fits this template an exceptional war stallion for an exceptional warrior. Trained to kick, bite and stamp on the enemy, phased not by the din and chaos of battle. Shadin has the heart of a champion, the soul of the Devil, afraid of nothing and loyal only to Arc.
I based Shadin on Alexander the Great’s horse, Bucephalus (Ox-head) tamed by a young Alexander when no one else could. Or maybe it is truer to say, I based him more on an artist’s vision of Bucephalus , rearing up as he carried his master into battle. Shadin and Arc, the Lion Lord were my version of Bucephalus and Alexander the Great.
2. Babieca (The Fool) Grand Master Razor’s Steed.
Babieca was an Iberian breed of horse now called the Andalusian and the warhorse of the 11th century Castilian hero, El Cid. Although another of the Jagger Knights is based on El Cid, the story did not facilitate for that character and the famous horse to be together, so the proud white Andalusian carried the Grand Master into battle instead.
Babieca came into the world spindly and weak. Deemed as worthless by the monks at the monastery where the young colt was bred.
One of the monks, Pedro El Grande, told his beloved nephew, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, born of a noble Castilian family, when he became of age he could choose any horse from his fine stables to raise as his own. To the monk’s surprise, Rodrigo picked the weakling colt his uncle had named Babieca – fool or stupid.
As Rodrigo grew to become a fierce and well-respected soldier, Babieca grew to be a well-trained and devoted warhorse.
Rodrigo, who became known as El Cid Campeador, (Lord, Champion of Warriors) fought both the Christian Kings and Muslim invaders throughout his lifetime. His greatest feat was retaking Valencia from the Moors, returning it to Spain, and then later saving it from siege in his most famous, and last, battle.
My favourite part to this story is how Babieca outlived his master when, as the story goes, El-Cid’s wife had her husband’s dead body strapped to the horse’s back to lead the final, victorious assault on the Moors.
3. Marengo. General Greyjoy’s Stallion.
Napoleon’s steed Marengo, was born in 1793. He was a small grey Arabian stallion known for being steady and brave in battles and it was claimed he could gallop 80 miles in 5 hours. Marengo carried the Emperor in numerous battles and was injured a total of eight times during his military service.
Marengo survived the 1812 retreat from Moscow and went on to carry Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo where he was captured and sold to a captain in the British Grenadier Guards. After Marengo died, his skeleton was put on display and can still be seen in the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
In Zodiac, Marengo carries General Greyjoy into the Battle of Fwenga, leading a cavalry charge in the Orion’s Arrow formation. To find out what happens to them both you will need to read the book.
Other warrior mounts of Destiny.
4. Storm, Enola’s white stallion.
Sired by Shadin and loosely based on Palomo, the mount of Simón Bolívar (The Liberator) in the South American war of independence. Storm is a beautiful yet angry beast, not a horse for a lady, but Enola is no lady. A gift from her father when she took command of her own forces in Jaggeria, as her faithful pony, Spitfire (Named after the legendary Spitfire Dragon) was too small for battle.
The real Palomo was known for being a particularly beautiful horse. Tall and white, with a tail that almost touched the ground. Simón Bolívar was given the horse by an elderly peasant woman just before the Battle of Boyacá. Sadly, after years of service, Palomo died of exhaustion while on a campaign. He was buried next to a hacienda chapel where he lies peacefully to this day.
5. Armageddon. Arc’s 2nd War Stallion
Coming up with a beast to replace Shadin as Arc’s war stallion was no easy task, but Armageddon, the huge, iron grey destrier stamped his belligerent mark on the roll. Carrying Arc throughout the Lion Crusade, the bad-tempered Armageddon was a danger to all, man and beast except Arc, who he is loyal to without question.
I always picture Armageddon as a bigger stronger reincarnation of General Robert E Lee’s horse, Traveller. Born in 1857, Traveller was a beautiful American Saddlebred with iron grey hair and a long mane and tail. He was bought by General Robert E. Lee in February 1862.
Lee rode Traveller in many battles during the American Civil War. During the Second Battle of Bull Run, Traveller broke both Lee’s wrists when he was spooked. Unfortunately, this wonderful horse had to be shot a year after Lee’s death in 1870 when he stood on a nail and developed tetanus.
6. Excalabus. The Dragon King’s Warhorse
Excalabus is to date a beast of fantasy and my indulgent imagination. I include him here because the legends of Destiny say that the Dragon King will return wearing the crown of Draco on his head, the sword, Dracovesica by his side and riding the great war horse, Excalabus. Parts of the legend tell of the great Shien King Draco riding the war dragon, Excalabus into battle, winged fire raining justice and retribution on the enemies of Avolonia. In the Destiny Sagas, Excalabus will be the Dragon King’s mount, Shadin, Armageddon and Bucephalus all rolled into one.
