It's almost like I can feel the ground shake, as we close, almost as if a small mountain were coming at me. It's a silly thought though. The bull may be massive, but it's not actually that massive and it still is only one creature and not a herd that would actually make the earth tremble.

  What really shakes me, is probably my own heart beating like crazy within my chest. That's a good thing though. Probably. I need to be on edge right now after all. This is the time to act quick and decisive. Every step counts now.

  Thankfully the bull actually makes things a little easier for me. It closes its eyes shortly before we clash. Probably because it might actually be expecting a messy crash. A messy crash where I would account for most of the mess it doesn't want in its eyes.

  Well, joke's on it. There will be no crash. My steps are sure and light, in part certainly thanks to my enchanted sandals. My nerves might flutter, just like my heart, but they don't falter either.

  I barely take any note of our surroundings by now anymore. I'm too focused on what is right in front of me and on the things I need to do now. Even the music, which certainly has picked up in pace and volume, is drowned out by my own heartbeat.

  Then its time, I can already feel the great horned beast's hot breath. With the last step I push off with all the strength my legs can muster. At the same time I grab the bulls horns. My body tenses, as the rest is not entirely in my hands anymore.

  I needn't worry though. It's like I have come to expect. Due to irritation and maybe a little due to the momentum I impart due to my actions too, the bull throws back his head and with it me.

  The boost this seemingly simple action, performed so casually by the giant bull, gives me is considerable.

  On my own I probably would have landed on the bull's back in all likelihood. I have heard whispered stories of dancers who do that on purpose. The act is beyond dangerous and reckless though. I don't want to tempt fate any more than I already am, thus I'm quite grateful for the additional boost, as it carries me over and beyond the bull in a dizzying somersault.

  For a brief moment I'm unsure if I'll land on my feet, but in the end I'm lucky. Oh, I could have rolled with the fall for sure. I have trained for it after all, but that would not have looked graceful at all. No, not one bit. Thus I count myself lucky to land on my feet in the end. Well beyond the kicking hooves of the angry bull too. Yes, very lucky indeed.

  That I land on my feet doesn't mean that all is well and that I can rest at ease now though. My momentum still carries me forward. Thanks to my training this too isn't an unexpected development. What comes as a bit of a surprise though is the amount of additional momentum imparted to me by the bull.

  The momentum proves too much. Even with the support of my enchanted gear I can't gloriously stand the landing. I don't mind though. Besides, I have learned in training, that it's imperative to keep moving, thus I do. I have to fight not to stumble though. Not perfect, but certainly good enough. The cheering crowd reassures me of that.

  It takes me several steps to slow down enough to risk a glance over my shoulder. I needn't have worried though. The irate bull has found a new target for its anger. I blink in surprise. I don't know this dancer. How would I?

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  She isn't human, or mortal for that matter. No, she is one of the fey. Her head too is crowned by ever branching antlers. Hers are not quite as dazzling as the prince's were though. Maybe one of his court? Although considering the fiery hues of her dress she might be of the summer queen's court instead.

  It doesn't really matter anyway. What matter is, that the bull has set its sights on her and that she seems intent to brave his charge.

  Even as I keep moving to get a little more distance so I could in theory take on the bull again, I now get to watch a dancer jump myself. My breathing is still ragged, and as the fey dancer grabs the bulls horns much like I did, my breath hitches for a moment.

  She jumps much like I did, yet her performance is very different. Unlike me she doesn't come back down. No, instead she turns into a cloud of dissipating, dancing embers at the apex of her jump, which only coalesce back into her usual self a good while later and a good distance away.

  It's not quite what I expected, or anyone else for the matter, but it still is a spectacular show for sure. Thus I cheer for her together with the rest of the spectators. Sure, we are all trying to put on a good show here, but I don't begrudge her the fame she is due for her effort. If I were capable of feats of magic like that I would do the same after all.

  I get another moment to catch my breath afterwards, as the bull doesn't turn around to come back my way. No, it seems like Danuta will be the next to put on a show for the crowd and the queen presiding over the festival from her bonfire alike.

  And just like the fey dancer before, and me before her, she seems determined to accept the challenge.

  Someone, I barely pay any attention who exactly hands me a warm cup with some kind of drink. I guess now is the time to get a little refreshment since someone else is keeping the bull occupied right now.

  I down the cup's contents with one big gulp. Almost immediately my eyes widen. This stuff is strong! It's spiced wine. Except it's not just spiced, it's fortified with some stronger spirit too. I really should have paid a little more attention. I can't really spit it back out though. That would be a bad look. And besides, it doesn't actually taste bad. It just surprised me a little. I'll just have to be careful not to drink too much too fast. With a nod I hand the now empty cup back. Even then my attention is still on the bull and Danuta though.

  Barely a moment has passed, with beast and witch eyeing each other. Then the dangerous dance resumes and my breath hitches again. I want to see her jump. I want to see her fly. I want the crowd to cheer and I want to cheer together with the crowd. At the same time though I'm worried for her. I'm worried she might overdo it. This is a quite dangerous dance after all. No doubt about it.

  My worries make the relief and joy I feel as the buxom witch makes her jump feel all the sweeter. She jumps much like I did. I cheer together with the gathered crowd. As she lands two faun revelers drag a wooden tub close to where the angry bull has come to stop.

  I can't quite make out what is in the tub, but whatever it is, it certainly catches the attention of the magnificent beast. It's anger seems forgotten for a moment as it trots over to gulp the tubs contents down.

  A quick look around lets me know that there are several more, similar tubs being kept ready around the perimeter of the clearing. And then I spot something that makes everything come together. A young man refills a cup similar to the one I received just moments ago at one of those tubs.

  I let out a laugh. Well, of course the bull would go for those. Well, at least we don't have to tire it out on our own like that. Everything will go over much smoother if it has a drink or two in between jumps. Hopefully.

  Several other young women dance with the bull afterwards, as it makes its way around the bonfire under the watchful gaze of the summer queen. And then, after a little while it is my turn again.

  If the spiced wine is having an effect, the giant animal isn't showing it yet. It probably takes more than one tub to really intoxicate a beast of this size and weight. Just as well. The bull lowers its head and we charge at each other again. And once more I push off and grab its horn. This time though he adds a little shake as he throws me. The motion might have sent me tumbling helplessly through the air not too long ago. Now though I add a twist to my routine as I fly through the air to compensate. I can't land on my feet this time around, but I come back up right again after a quick roll, with my heart beating like crazy. It beats fast like never before, but not out of fear. No, this is pure unbridled joy and exhilaration.