The Three (3) Rules of The Great Horse (aka “3 Great Rules”) are derived from legends and (possibly apocryphal) history associated with the supernatural equine manifestation herein and heretofore described as “The Great Horse.”

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* Available information is admittedly scant, being virtually (and actually) limited to words the above, and no ascertainment of its validity or usefulness will be described. – The Bridgestone Institute Law Office

Jennifer wished the answer could be different. “Meagan, there are no such things as Great Horses. I like that you are taking an interest in history, but you can’t believe in fantasies.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone said only true owners will believe the legend,” Meagan replied stubbornly. “You are just proving it.”

“I’m sorry, Meagan.” Jennifer glanced down at picture of chariot race with teams of galloping horses. “Horses can make people act very strangely. Now, will you promise me? No talking with Mrs. Bridgestone.”

Meagan shrugged. “Maybe we should bring Promise back home, just in case.”

“Meagan?”

“I said okay.”

Jennifer went to the doorway. “Tell the books goodnight, Meagan. Rome wasn’t read in a day.” Jennifer closed

the door behind her and returned downstairs. She sat beside her husband on the couch. “I’m worried about Meagan, Tom.”

“Of course you are, Jen. It’s how we know you’re her mother.”

Jennifer shrugged. “She spends all her time reading history books. It’s that silly legend. Meagan is absolutely convinced.”

“Yes, she told me. It sounds like this Bridgestone woman is a bit … should I say it?”

“There is nothing wrong with being a little eccentric, Tom.”

“That wasn’t the word I was going to use.”

Excerpted from pg. 68 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 published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

“Horsemanship was a foundation of classical education for many centuries. We seem to have gotten away from the tradition and it is unfortunate.” The woman’s face grew grave. “If you discover the whereabouts of the Great Horse, please alert me. I would like to bring her here for safety. You may think me eccentric, but my concern is quite sincere.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone,” Meagan asked politely. “What kind of darkness do you think will happen if someone rides Promise? Is it for sure a bad thing?”

“It seems so, dear.” The old woman leaned close, and the measure of centuries seemed to weigh in her words. “No one would want to see all that we have shown horses…”

Abridged excerpt from pg. 64 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 published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

The old woman spoke softly. “Seven female foals were born in California at exactly dawn on the summer solstice of 2001. I have acquired all of the foals. All, that is, except yours.”

“Of course, Mrs. Bridgestone,” Jennifer said breezily, “you don’t take this seriously?”

“Oh, but I do, dear. Most seriously.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone?” Meagan asked, hesitating at her mother’s expression. “Do you really think Promise could be the Great Horse?”

“Yes, dear, I do.” The woman’s tone was solemn. “My sources call her the Great Traveler, with power to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden, but that must never happen.” Meagan’s eyes were wide. “I admit it is strange. In all my readings, Great Horses have never done evil. Perhaps this event has something to do with the millennium change. I can’t explain it.”

“Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness,” Meagan suggested hopefully.

“Unfortunately, I have found other references that are less reassuring.”

Jennifer interrupted. “Less reassuring?”

Excerpted from pg. 61 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 published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

“First, a Great Horse is born at dawn. That is an unusual time for mares, as they usually foal near midnight. Secondly, no one can ride a Great Horse without the owner’s permission.”

“That’s a good rule,” Meagan said grinning, satisfied with the discussion.

“And third, only the owners of a Great Horse will believe the legend.”

“Why? It makes sense to me.” Meagan squinted at the last line. “What is this word, ‘ichone?’”

“That is how they spelled ‘each one.’ So much of Old English is spelled strangely to us yet has the same sound. Each one of the masters, the owners, is told by a previous owner of the Great Horse. As I am telling you.”

“You owned a Great Horse, Mrs. Bridgestone?”

The wrinkled face clouded. “No, actually not.”

“So why—”

“It is a very nice story.” Jennifer hushed her daughter with a glance. There was no need to disturb this nice woman’s fantasies.

Excerpted from pg. 59 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

The old woman touched the glass above an engraved placard. “This is a famous ode in the style of the Greek poet Pindar. He was famous for his tributes to Olympic heroes, both men and horses. This verse is dedicated to a chariot horse that won a race in about 480 B.C.”

Meagan squinted at it and wrinkled her nose. “It doesn’t make sense. It is just weird scribbles.”

“It is Greek, dear.”

“Can you read it, Mrs. Bridgestone?”

“Oh, a bit, not much anymore. However, I know this poem quite well.” The woman leaned over the placard and held her glasses close:

Hail the fleet hawk of the earth,
thunder announces his approach.
He gives one man victory,
all men ecstasy.
In this One the gods have taken form.

“Of course, Pindar isn’t so flowery,” Mrs. Bridgestone explained. “It was not the Greek way.”

“I took Latin all last year.” Meagan said gravely, wanting to impress. “I made an A.”

“That is wonderful, dear! Latin is a much undervalued element of education. We should read for ourselves the lessons of history.”

Excerpted from pg. 56 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