‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy – Page 9 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

“Meagan & Beecher” complete artistic series of Great Horses by Marti Adrian Gregory

Author Note: This is one of my favorite Great Horses, Dover Beach (“Beecher”) … the horse that did anything you asked. Maybe because equine generosity is the sacred truth at the center of true horsemanship, or maybe I’m reminded that some of the greatest horses live in memory alone now. Yet how joyfully alive when they return! Horses are always, also, a metaphor.

“Meagan tried to be nonchalant as she looked around the new setting and realized she still wore the pink dress! … A nudge pushed the small of her back. She turned to see the grizzled muzzle of a horse poking between the rails of a fence. The muzzle withdrew and the animal put its head over the fence, nickering softly. It was an aged horse, coming to the end of his working life.”

“Meagan & Beecher” by artist Marti Adrian Gregory for The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy. The Canadian artist has illustrated each era in Meagan’s journey.

In this final artwork for the trilogy, the artist illustrates both the scene and theme of the story: the horse has been the same throughout history. The settings changed, not the relationship … not the love.

You can see more artwork by Marti Adrian Gregory on her own website: http://www.martiadrian.com/

“Noah and Moses” …. 1820’s English farm team

“Noah and Moses” …. 1820’s English farm team at a Horse Pull, by artist Marti Adrian Gregory for “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy.

The Canadian artist has illustrated each era in Meagan’s journey, researching the different periods to ensure historical accuracy.

You can see more artwork by Marti Adrian Gregory on her own website: http://www.martiadrian.com/

New artwork by Marti Adrian Gregory to complete the Year of the Horse …

The Great Horse NERO by Marti Adrian Gregory (c) 2014 by Micron Press The last new illustrations by Marti Adrian Gregory will be released this week in the New Year’s countdown of the Chinese Year of the Horse.

The popular Canadian artist has created a new bookcover with new illustrations for The Golden Spark (Book 2).

The new cover is the second of a new ‘box set’ design for the trilogy books–it’s an exciting milestone and Great way to finish the Year of the Horse … and begin a new one!

A Gypsy’s Warning

Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter.
It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.

—Gypsy proverb

The meal was of well-roasted bird and acorns, garnished with greens. For a long time afterward Meagan stared into the dancing flames that brought warmth, food and security. Early dusk had fallen, and light raindrops were still tapping softly on the tent.

One of the dark women came to sit with Meagan. She leaned over, peering into the fire. Her jewelry jingled slightly with the motion, and a tendril of her long hair trailed across Meagan’s arm. “What do you see?”

“Oh, I … nothing.” Meagan shrugged. “I was just watching.”

“It is wise to be careful of looking into fires, young one.” The woman’s voice was soft and low. “You do not know what might be looking back.”

Well that’s creepy enough, Meagan thought as the woman seated herself, crossing her legs and making herself comfortable. Meagan pulled her blanket tighter and shifted to make room.

The woman’s perfumed scent soaked into the cold air of the tent. Shadows from the fire played over the olive face. The woman was nearing middle age, but in the flickering light she could have been a mere youth—or ancient. “Who would you hope to be looking back, if it was someone?” The woman said this seriously, and leaned forward to hear the answer.

“I … don’t know.”

“Think. Look back to the fire. Look until you see black flame.”

The fire danced invitingly. It struck Meagan how the flames shifted between infinite shades of red, white, yellow and orange. She had never thought of fire as having different colors. She looked longer, until another color stood out: black shadows danced among the flames as lively and real as the others.

“The fire itself may be a shadow of darkness. If something is watching you, they will be in the black flames. Who is it you wish to see?”

Meagan swallowed. “My parents.”

The woman stretched her arm towards Meagan. “Here, give me your hand.” Turning Meagan’s hand over and gently opening her palm, the woman traced over it as if to wipe it clean.

“Do you read palms?” Meagan asked.

“No, child, I read lives. Let me see the other.”

Obediently, Meagan held out her other hand. The woman knitted her brow and peered closely. “Your life line…” The woman’s eyes grew large and she gripped Meagan’s hand more tightly. “Who are you, girl?”

Meagan tried to pull away. “Please, let go.”

“Where are you from? I want to know the place.”

Meagan wrenched her hand away.

The woman rose. “Your line has no roots. Where is your home?” She knelt and put her face close. Spice perfume washed over Meagan. They looked at each other a long moment. “Child,” the woman said finally, her voice gentle. “Tell me. I can be trusted. Where is your home?”

The above excerpt is set in 1666 Europe, where Meagan receives a meal from a camp of gypsies, and a warning …

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an exciting and well-researched adventure through history. The Golden Spark (Book #2) won the 2011 Written Arts Awards for best Science Fiction/Fantasy.

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Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Reviews for the trilogy.

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