“REALLY, MRS. BRIDGESTONE?” Meagan’s eyes shone with excitement. “My horse, Promise?”

“I am almost certain of it, dear. My sources indicate a Great Horse was to be born on the summer solstice of the new millennium. A female, born at dawn. The birth happened last year.”

Jennifer held her hand out to her daughter. “Come sit down, Meagan. I think we need to listen to Mrs. Bridgestone.”

“I did mean to visit again to tell you personally,” the woman said apologetically, “but I’ve been housebound and left it to others. To put it plainly, I am ashamed.”

Jennifer smiled broadly. “Oh well, Mrs. Bridgestone, I’m just glad you told us now. Meagan, come sit down this instant.”

“You see, Jennifer? I knew you would think me a crazy old woman.”

“No, no, I don’t think that at all. It’s just that … what are you saying, Mrs. Bridgestone? That our foal is descended from the first horse? I suppose that could be true…”

Excerpted from pg. 53 of Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be available Fall 2010.

Copyright © 2008 John Royce