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#20- A final warning from Mrs. Bridgestone

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…” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

“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

#19- Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness

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.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Meagan gets some not-so-good news about her horse…

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

#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…

Mageste Beste medieval parchment“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

#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.

Copyright © 2008 John Royce