Book 1 Excerpts – Page 5 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

#18- How to know a Great Horse

“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.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Mrs. Bridgestone tells all…

“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.

#17- The Mageste Beste

The Mageste Beste is kneughne moste certis by tide of birth
At Prime whanne the sonne ronne fro the earth,
Ich wight not ryde, save conssente by hir maister wille.
It muste be few wight beknowen the treuthe
Ichone Maistere is tolde by a furst. ~ excerpt from “Eclipsed by Shadow” revealing the rules of knowing a Great Horse

The Mageste Beste is kneughne moste certis by tide of birth
At Prime whanne the sonne ronne fro the earth,
Ich wight not ryde, save conssente by hir maister wille.
It muste be few wight beknowen the treuthe
Ichone Maistere is tolde by a furst.

Jennifer and Meagan puzzled over the words as Mrs. Bridgestone moved slowly to a couch and settled onto it. “The language is a little strange. Old English, you see.”

“What does it mean?” Meagan asked.

“Well, the first line reads, ‘The Magic Beast is known most certainly by time of birth.’”

Jennifer was reading carefully. “What is ‘Prime?’”

“The second service of the medieval church, just after sunrise. I interpret it to mean the Great Horse is born at dawn, ‘when the sun runs from the earth.’ That is a typical metaphor of the day.”

“And the next part?” Jennifer said, reading slowly. “’Ich wight not ryde?’”

“Wight means man. So the phrase says, ‘Each man shall not ride the Great Horse without the consent of its master.’” Mrs. Bridgestone closed her eyes and concentrated. “Few men know the truth, each new master is told by a first.”

Meagan shook her head. “I don’t understand it.”

“Well, we must be sure you do,” Mrs. Bridgestone said seriously.

Excerpted from pg. 58 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.

#16- Hail the fleet hawk of the earth…

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. ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

In the strange library of Mrs. Bridgestone:

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.

#15- But crazy seems more accurate…

Mrs. Bridgestone smoothed her dress nervously. “I know how it must sound, but all religions have a story of the Creator giving the horse to mankind. Paganism, Christianity, Islam—think of Pegasus! Is not the winged, white horse the very image of an angel?” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

“What are you saying, Mrs. Bridgestone? That our foal is descended from the first horse? I suppose that could be true…”

“No, dear. Not just any horse, but one of the blessed incarnations of the Angel that so loved Mankind he forsook Paradise.” Mrs. Bridgestone smoothed her dress nervously. “I know how it must sound, but all religions have a story of the Creator giving the horse to mankind. Paganism, Christianity, Islam—think of Pegasus! Is not the winged, white horse the very image of an angel?”

“Well … yes,” Jennifer answered carefully. “I suppose. Is this a good thing?”

“Certainly a Great Horse is most often a blessing. Quiet service is a horse’s way.” The woman hesitated. “However, there is a certain prophecy concerning this incarnation. This Great Horse carries a somewhat … dark description, if we believe the sources.”

“Promise is a palomino,” Meagan said, disappointed. “Does a Great Horse have to be dark?”

The woman smiled. “You are very attentive, Meagan, and that is an excellent quality. The equestrian influence, no doubt. To answer your questions, perhaps we should see more of the Great Horses in history. Nelson?” After taking assistance to rise from the couch, Mrs. Bridgestone proceeded alone. Jennifer followed the woman to a glass case at one end of the room, holding Meagan’s hand tightly.

« “… a nicer word than crazy” || Fleet hawk of the earth »

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 53 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of the trilogy) won national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

__________

Quick Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#14- Eccentric is a nicer word than crazy

“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.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

“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…”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

« Next of the Great Horses || “Crazy seems more accurate…” »

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 53 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

__________

Quick Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#13- The next of the Great Horses

Caligula had a stable of marble and gold built for the stallion, complete with furnishings and servants. Though horses are strict vegetarians, Incitatus was fed mice dipped in butter and marinated squid.” Mrs. Bridgestone added more quietly, “Of course, the man was considered dangerously insane.” – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Behind the pedestal was a large painting of a chariot race, head-on, with the crowd and track rendered in rousing detail. Meagan stood beneath it, staring in awe.

“The actual work hangs in the Manchester Art Gallery, dear. As you can see, the ancient Romans were modern in many ways. One of my favorite old writers was Cornelius Tacitus, who wrote scandalous histories of Rome. Such an insightful mind, writing so bravely as his world sank into madness … that is a horse’s manger, dear.”

Meagan was stopped before a crumbling box mounted on a low pedestal. The object was corroded and gray from age.

“It doesn’t look it, I know, but that is said to be the remains of the manger of the Roman Emperor Caligula’s favorite race horse, Incitatus. Caligula had a stable of marble and gold built for the stallion, complete with furnishings and servants. Though horses are strict vegetarians, Incitatus was fed mice dipped in butter and marinated squid.” Mrs. Bridgestone added more quietly, “Of course, the man was considered dangerously insane.”

Meagan walked on. “How about this painting, Mrs. Bridgestone … who is the old man with a long beard?”

“That is El Cid on his Great Horse, Babieca. El Cid was a Spanish warrior who led armies on his famous white charger. There are stories which claim El Cid was mortally wounded at the siege of Valencia but Babieca was left alive. Before dying, El Cid left clear instructions. The Spaniards marched from their city at midnight with Babieca cantering at the head of the Spanish troops as always, but with his dead master propped in the saddle and tied by his long beard. The attackers thought El Cid had risen from the dead and they fled, ending the siege, and so it is said that El Cid won his last battle after his own death. And no one ever mounted Babieca again.”

“Those are interesting stories, Mrs. Bridgestone,” Jennifer said, meaning it. “Everything here is so lovely … but I’m still very curious. Why have you invited us?”

Meagan turned politely to listen.

“Yes, well.” Mrs. Bridgestone fingered her necklace. “I suppose there is no better way to tell you, except to just say it. To put it simply, circumstances have … oh me. It seems your foal is the next of the Great Horses.”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

« “The story of El Morzillo” || “… a nicer word than crazy” »

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 51 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

__________

Quick Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#12 – The story of El Morzillo

“Cortés was forced to leave his prized stallion behind with natives who knew nothing of horses. They fed him only meat and wine until the poor animal wasted away and died. Frightened of Cortez’s wrath, the natives made an enormous statue of the horse to worship.” —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy

Inside Mrs. Bridgestone’s strange library of Great Horses …

Meagan moved respectfully to an onyx sculpture beside the painting. The work was of a horse sitting on his haunches with both forelegs stretched in front of him. “Who is this?”

“That was the Great Horse El Morzillo, dear, the mount the Spanish conquistador Cortés rode to conquer Mexico.

“Cortés was forced to leave his prized stallion behind with natives who knew nothing of horses. They fed him only meat and wine until the poor animal wasted away and died. Frightened of Cortez’s wrath, the natives made an enormous statue of the horse to worship.

“When missionaries returned—I want to say Franciscans—they threw the statue into the lake surrounding his temple. It is said El Morzillo looks up from the bottom of that lake, still waiting for his master’s return.”

« “A Strange Library” || “The next of the Great Horses” »

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 51 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

__________

Quick Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

In the strange library of Mrs. Bridgestone

“The Four Winds swirled into a shape of beauty that moved to thunder … the Angel took form and became the first Horse.” —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy)

This excerpt is from Eclipsed by Shadow, Book #1 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, an adventure through history―on horseback.

The scene is set in modern-day California, when Meagan hears the legend for the first time…

“The great art of riding,” the Knight began in a loud voice,
waving his right hand as he spoke “is to keep…”
Here the sentence ended as suddenly as it began,
as the Knight fell heavily on top of his head
exactly in the path where Alice was walking.

– Lewis Carrol (1832-98) Through the Looking Glass

________

The Four Winds swirled into a shape of beauty that moved to thunder … the Angel took form and became the first Horse.

Since that time, the Angel has lived an unbroken line of lives, inspiring and teaching, even as the Angel’s children have carried Mankind to mastery of the earth. Upon each death the Angel takes another form and again a Great Horse is born.

Meagan listened raptly. “I like that story, Mrs. Bridgestone!”

The woman refolded the letter and set it upon the tray. “I am happy to hear that, dear.” She pointed to a portrait of a magnificent horse, head bowed, carrying a haughty rider in white. “That painting shows the stallion Bucephalus, one of the eminent Great Horses of history. When he was first presented to King Philip of Macedonia, no rider could mount him. The king’s own son was a boy about your age, and he called out—”

“I’m almost thirteen,” Meagan interrupted.

“Really, dear? Splendid.” Mrs. Bridgestone smiled at Jennifer. “They grow so quickly, don’t they? It seems my grandniece went from diapers to driving in the space of an afternoon. Well, to continue, when the King’s son saw the wonderful stallion being led away to be banished, he cried out, ‘What an excellent horse they have lost for lack of skill!’ Naturally the king was annoyed with his son’s manners. To teach a lesson the King had the horse brought back for his son to try what the others had failed.

“The boy had noticed the young horse was shying from his riders’ shadows, so he turned the stallion into the sun and mounted easily. He rode Bucephalus for thirty years, and conquered more armies than any man before or since. Do you know that boy?”

Meagan shook her head.

“He was Alexander the Great, dear. The stallion Bucephalus carried his master from Egypt to India, and no one else ever rode him. Not once.”

__________

Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

» Order Books

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

Eclipsed by Shadow - Book #1 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy - Bookcover (straight-on, drop shadow) 142px by 203 px

Into the Dark - Book #3 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy - Bookcover (straight-on, drop shadow) 142px by 203 px

#10 – “Do you believe in legends, dear?”

“If you mean education-related, yes. Horses are said to be excellent teachers and only so much can be taught in a classroom.” The woman cleared her throat delicately. “Do you believe in legends, dear?” —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 48)

The following excerpt is from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy.

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

After lunch, Mrs. Bridgestone adjourned to a warm room whose coziness made Jennifer wonder if brandy and cigars would be forthcoming. A low fire burned in an ornate fireplace, below a polished marble mantle inscribed with flowing letters in a foreign language. Dark leather punctuated with brass fasteners covered couches and stools, and framed art of horses filled the walls.

Beside the door, a pedestal bore a brass sculpture of a bearded, trident-bearing man mounted on a flipper-tailed horse. Meagan stood before it and reached out a finger.

“Don’t touch, Meagan,” Jennifer warned.

“No, let her, Jennifer. The child won’t hurt it.” Mrs. Bridgestone walked slowly to a pair of facing couches in the center of the room. “That is a statue of a Hippocampus, dear. They were the mounts of Poseidon, god of the sea. The ancients believed the horse came from the deep ocean wearing the froth of the waves for its mane. Do you like it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Meagan answered quietly, and walked in wonder to an antique vase set upon a white pedestal. A team of horses charged over the curved surface.

“You may touch the vase, dear, it is only a copy. The original is sixth century B. C. Do you see the images of black horses over the red background? It was an early, crude form of vase painting called ‘black figure.’ Red figures were developed later, but I like the severe lines. Personal taste.”

Meagan softly agreed.

“They were interesting people, our forebears the Greeks. That particular vase shows a four-horse chariot called a Quadriga. Chariot racing grew so popular under the Roman Empire that it was considered a form of madness.”

Meagan walked on to an antique globe, hands clasped behind her. Dancing curlicues of fanciful horses adorned its colorful seas.

“I obtained that piece in Delhi, dear. I have a friend who believes the horse is the only animal to have reached Nirvana. He says Allah placed fear in the horse so that he would remain earthbound, to be an inspiration and guide to mankind. You find religion and early horsemanship very much intertwined.”

Jennifer moved to sit across from the woman. “It’s very nice to be here, Mrs. Bridgestone, but I am still not sure why. As lovely as this has been … I thought this meeting might be school-related?”

“If you mean education-related, yes. Horses are said to be excellent teachers and only so much can be taught in a classroom.” The woman cleared her throat delicately. “Do you believe in legends, dear?”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

« “Horse Talk with Mrs. Bridgestone” || “A Strange Library” »

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 48 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

__________

Quick Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#9- Horse Talk with Mrs. Bridgestone

‘ “It is fascinating how closely horsemanship and culture coincide. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, their horsemanship deteriorated into barbarism. It was not until the Renaissance that humane methods were rediscovered.” Mrs. Bridgestone stepped to the fence and reached a frail hand to stroke the filly’s neck. “In owning a horse, I feel I own a living piece of history.” ’ —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 46)

The following excerpt is from Eclipsed by Shadow, award-winning 1st Book of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy.

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

Mrs. Bridgestone leaned to Jennifer. “Tell me something, dear. You have practical knowledge about horses. Are they really as intellectually … limited as one hears? It has always upset me to think so.”

“You mean, are horses stupid?”

“I have heard it said, and I am sorry. They are such splendid animals.”

“Don’t be sorry, Mrs. Bridgestone.” Jennifer was amused. “They are so different than humans. Right now that horse is watching Meagan, you and me and almost everything around her. And she will never forget, because horses have a photographic memory. Horses hear and smell almost as well as a dog, they are so sensitive they can feel a fly’s landing, and can even recognize people by the vibration of their walk.”

“Yes, yes,” the old woman said, “I have discovered the most engaging facts in my readings. Did you know that the horse’s eye is one of the largest in the animal kingdom, even larger than an elephant’s? I understand horses are timid because in nature they are prey. Have you found that to be true?”

Jennifer nodded. “It is hard to imagine how differently a horse sees the world. But the more you try, the better they respond.”

“How charming. It is fascinating how closely horsemanship and culture coincide. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, their horsemanship deteriorated into barbarism. It was not until the Renaissance that humane methods were rediscovered.” Mrs. Bridgestone stepped to the fence and reached a frail hand to stroke the filly’s neck. “In owning a horse, I feel I own a living piece of history.” Guinevere reached to sniff Mrs. Bridgestone’s hand. The woman smiled. “Magical beings, aren’t they? There is history in their hoof beats—or is it hoof steps? I should tell you, my friends and staff have questioned my sanity since I started my horse project … but sometimes a touch of madness produces the sanest result.” She sighed, watching Guinevere trot off with her tail high. “I was surprised to learn horses have never been domesticated. Their instincts remain. Horses return easily to the wild, as with the American mustangs. I like that, somehow. In all the centuries they have never forgotten themselves.”

“Yes,” Jennifer said regretfully, “though we don’t need horses anymore. Now they are only expensive playthings.”

Mrs. Bridgestone looked at Jennifer sharply. “I wouldn’t say that, dear. I wouldn’t say that at all. People are no authority on what they need. Ignorance about our needs is one thing that separates us from animals. Oh, I truly wish we had had this meeting long ago, Jennifer. They say horses rush men to folly. Well, they do it to old women, too.”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce