Mrs. Bridgestone – Page 2 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

#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!

#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.

#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.

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