Eclipsed by Shadow – Page 20 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

#32- The Watering Hole

A horse with the unmistakable girth of a broodmare stepped haltingly to the water’s edge. When the mare lowered her head, blowing softly across the water, the whole band flowed in, heads high and ears taut. The stallion stayed back from the edge and paced the dark shore. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

I will not panic, Meagan told herself bravely. It is only the legend. This was supposed to happen.

The edges of the water were becoming distinct in the gray light of morning. Animals were materializing around her. A horse with the unmistakable girth of a broodmare stepped haltingly to the water’s edge. When the mare lowered her head, blowing softly across the water, the whole band flowed in, heads high and ears taut. The stallion stayed back from the edge and paced the dark shore.

The horse herd spread along one bank, interspersed with small creatures that drank cautiously at the edge. One small gray horse began moving further into the riverbed in search of clean water, its steps comically high. “I think you have the right idea,” Meagan told the animal quietly. She stepped further into the warm water, feeling mud flow around her bare toes. If there were danger, the horses would know.

The gray horse’s soft eyes fixed on Meagan’s progress. Her grandfather often called horses the “nosiest animal in Creation.” He called curiosity a fatal weakness of the species … well, that and a fondness for oats.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 96)

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

Read the 1st Chapter online!

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#31- Lost in Place

At least it smells nice, Meagan thought, breathing deeply. Maybe I could live off the land. Of course, she had not the slightest idea of how such a thing was done: she was the primitive here. Uneasiness hummed beneath her consciousness like a low bass note. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

It was some time before Meagan would admit she was lost…

Besides being hungry and thirsty, and barefoot in her nightgown, Meagan was growing rather frightened. There was nothing to be seen of civilization—no buildings or roads, no power lines or airplanes. In all directions were endless grassland and ridges of rocky hills, all under a brilliant clear sky. A low breeze floated over her, heavy with the sweet scent of vegetation.

At least it smells nice, Meagan thought, breathing deeply. Maybe I could live off the land. Of course, she had not the slightest idea of how such a thing was done: she was the primitive here. Uneasiness hummed beneath her consciousness like a low bass note.

Meagan passed a mammoth stack of manure, a pyramid where generations of stallions had dropped to mark their presence. To her, horses had always been some kind of domesticated, almost manmade beings—beautiful, disciplined and familiar. But this pile was a clear warning, made by and for other wild animals.

At dusk, Meagan saw movement in the haze ahead. At first she stopped in fear—she did not want to meet any more horse-killers. But as she studied the haze, the patches resolved into silhouettes of grazing horses. A herd stood against the fading sunlight. She hurried after them…

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 93)

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

Read the 1st Chapter online!

#30- 20,000 years ago today

“I am sure you are very nice,” Meagan said tightly, “but you don’t have a shirt and, well, you are wearing blood. I will find Promise and then this can all go away. I really am sorry. It’s all my fault.” – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Meagan simply had to find Promise and put things back…

“I’m sorry, but I need to go.” Meagan swallowed, seeing the girl’s lips moving in odd contortions as if mocking her. “I will find my horse before everyone wakes up. Thank you for not attacking me.” She stood and took a step toward the edge.

Without taking her eyes from Meagan, the girl laid a dark scrap on the rock between them.

It was a careful moment. Meagan picked up the strip with the ends of her fingers and held it out. “Burned horse meat … why, thank you.” She wanted to hurl the meat off the ledge, but politeness and precaution made her keep it instead. “I hope this won’t come in handy,” she said with forced cheerfulness.

Stepping to the edge, Meagan let herself over. She slid down and dropped to the top of the next boulder. Above her, the mute girl crawled up to the edge, preparing to follow. Meagan climbed down faster. “I don’t want to be rude,” she called over her shoulder, “but I’m trying to get away from you. It’s nice, but please don’t follow me.” She made the last feet in a jump. The girl landed a few moments later. “Thank you so much for cooperating,” Meagan said tightly. “Look, I am sure you are very nice, but you don’t have a shirt and, well, you are wearing blood. I will find Promise and then this can all go away. I really am sorry. It’s all my fault.”

A movement attracted Meagan’s eye and she looked past the girl. Several of the glutted clan of horse-killers were watching with unfocussed eyes. Meagan backed away and turned to the open field. She looked back only once. The girl was still staring.