The Horses Rejoice: The Horses Know Book 2 (The Horses Know Trilogy)

by Lynn Mann

  Well of everything that’s just happened, that’s the most unexpected! Justin informed me.

  Unlike your tendency to state the obvious, I grinned, unable to stop myself from muttering the words out loud.

  I felt his humour, followed by his frustration at not being with me in person while I digested my realisation. Infinity’s nurturing energy permeated my being and I felt Justin relax. I love it when Infinity does that for you, he told me. You’ll be okay. Will you tell the others?

  Not all of it. Not yet, I need to process it myself, I muttered as I thought.

  ‘Anything you want to share, Amarilla?’ Aleks said haughtily.

  Rowena and Jack both glared at him and then looked at me, expectantly.

  ‘Um, well, there’s something I’ve just realised,’ I said. ‘The Kindred Elder I sensed? She’s the one we need to find.’

  ‘Because you somehow already know her?’ said Rowena.

  ‘Partly. But mainly because she’s the key.’

  ‘The key to befriending the Woeful... sorry, the Kindred?’ Rowena asked.

  ‘Yes. She’s the key to everything,’ I said, thoughtfully.

  Three

  Homecoming

  I was feeling nervous. The enormous rock at whose base Rockwood nestled, was in sight. I was so close to those I’d missed so much and to whom I’d caused so much heartache and worry, and I couldn’t begin to think of how I was going make it up to them.

  You are yet choosing to express your personality’s desire for high emotion and melodrama, observed Infinity with interest.

  And that’s what? Good? Bad? I challenged her.

  We both know that good and bad do not exist.

  I paused to consider. Agreed. So, if I must find a balance between awareness of my soul and expression of my personality, then presumably it’s up to me to choose which aspects of my personality I express?

  It is.

  Then your point?

  You are also choosing to pretend that you do not already know the answers to your questions.

  I sighed. Infinity wasn’t going to let up. I recognised that my tendency towards melodrama was unhelpful at times, as was my habit of asking Infinity questions to which I now had the answers as readily as did she. I sensed her satisfaction with my admissions and I smiled. I realised, however, that having access to answers was only useful if I were pushed to ask the questions; Infinity’s role as my teacher was different now, but still very necessary. I relaxed and managed a deep breath.

  ‘Everything alright Am?’ Rowena said.

  ‘Yes thanks, I’m excited but a bit nervous. It’s been so long since I saw my family and it’s not as if I left in the best of circumstances.’

  ‘Well it’s true that most people do let their family know if they’re going to be leaving and possibly not coming back, rather than just disappearing without a word and leaving their belongings in a heap on the ground, but it’s also true that you had an understandable reason for doing so. Your family know that – I made sure of it the last time I was here. I would be worrying far more about the fact that the Nixons’ little girl is now a young woman who has changed so much since they last saw her that they’ll struggle to recognise her and if they do, they’ll be so shocked that your mother won’t be the only one to faint!’

  ‘Thanks Ro, with friends like you...’

  ‘...you know you’ll always be fine. Haven’t Oak and I looked after you ever since your insane dash from Rockwood to find Infinity?’ Rowena’s dark eyes glinted mischievously.

  I grinned. ‘You have.’

  ‘Now do you want me to lead the way into the village, or do you think you can manage it?’ Rowena said and we both laughed.

  Cantering hooves sounded behind us. ‘Wha’ve I missed?’ said Marvel breathlessly, as he and Broad drew level with Rowena, Oak, Infinity and me.

  ‘Rowena’s just being the good friend that she is,’ I said.

  ‘Oh, I was wondering if you’d thought up a humorous explanation for why there are seven Horse-Bonded descending on Rockwood, when they’ll be used to seeing one or two travelling together at a time, at the most?’ Marvel said, his hazel eyes sparkling.

  I stopped laughing, abruptly. ‘Curse the clouds, I never thought of that. I warned my sister we’d be coming and that we wouldn’t be mentioning our true purpose, but it never occurred to me that the rest of the villagers will think it odd for so many of us to be travelling together.’

  ‘It’s a good job that I have it figured out then, isn’t it?’ said Rowena. ‘We’ll tell the truth, just not all of it. You are here as a living historical figure, to meet your adoring public. Sonja and Aleks are two of your top students who can’t possibly have their tuition interrupted just because you need to be out and about meeting said public, so they have tagged along. Jack is adept at opening up those who want to multiskill, and is along with you to help those who are inspired to ask for his help by your very presence and Vickery is with him to watch and learn. Marvel and I are here as your bodyguards because I for one can’t have the worry of not knowing what scrapes you’re getting into at any given moment, and Justin will never speak to Marvel again if you come to any harm, which by your track record is bound to happen at some point. Got all that?’

  I was laughing again. ‘Can’t we just say that so much is changing and we’re all busy learning from one another, so we’ve decided to travel as a group so we can learn as we go?’

  ‘I think that sounds like the simplest explanation, and far easier to remember than Ro’s convoluted concoction,’ said Marvel and then turned around in his saddle. ‘Hear that everyone? We’re travelling in such a large group because so much has been changing and we’re learning from one another as we travel.’

  Everyone except Aleks nodded. ‘I can’t for one minute think what any of you can be learning from me,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, I can think of a great deal,’ said Rowena. ‘Patience is the first thing that springs to mind!’

  Aleks scowled as laughter erupted around him.

  Sonja leaned over and prodded him in the ribs and said, ‘come on Aleks, she’s only teasing you.’

  Aleks raked his fingers through his hair and then rubbed his unshaven face. His pale blue eyes had shadows beneath them. ‘I’m glad you all think it’s funny,’ he said. ‘I’m finding this hard, you know. I don’t like camping every night, I don’t like the constant threat of danger to Nexus when we’re in woodland, I hate having to eat the same travelling rations every day and I’ve no idea how long I’m going to be living like this. I’m sorry everyone, I know you’re wishing I hadn’t come along. I’ve thought about going back to The Gathering lots of times, but I can’t. I’m where I need to be. I don’t like it, but I know it’s true even if Nexus weren’t constantly reminding me. But I’m... finding... it... hard.’ His voice wavered.

  I saw Jack and Vickery roll their eyes from behind Aleks. Infinity felt my need and slowed until she was beside Nexus. I subdued a smile as Infinity wrinkled her nostrils at Nexus and flattened her ears momentarily, warning her not to come too close and definitely not to pass in front.

  I spoke quietly. ‘Aleks, we’re not wishing you hadn’t come along. You and Nexus are improving your balance every day, and part of the reason for that is because you’re so willing to push yourself. You’re out of your comfort zone in pretty much every way possible at the moment and yet you’re still here and refusing to give in to your need for comfort because you’re sensing that it’s what your soul wants you to do. If it’s any help, I’ve learnt that the more you push yourself out of your comfort zone, the bigger your comfort zone gets. I was every bit as uncomfortable as you are now while I was learning that and way more unpopular, so give yourself a break, okay? And Rowena is only teasing, I think she considers it one of her gifts to the group.’

  Aleks gave a small grin and I could see a measure of relief in his eyes. ‘Thanks, Amarilla. I do appreciate all the help you’re giving me and Nexus, even if I don’t alway
s seem to be able to show it.’

  ‘I know. I also know that there’ll be a time when there’ll be things I’ll need to learn from you, so you’d better be as happy to teach as you are to learn,’ I warned him.

  ‘From me? I highly doubt it... what have you seen in me?’ Aleks said.

  ‘No more or less than you’ve seen in you,’ I replied.

  ‘So, it’s not enough that Nexus answers me in riddles, now you’re doing it too?’ Aleks laughed and as I laughed with him, I remembered with a pang that I’d once accused Adam of the very same thing.

  I missed Adam acutely all of a sudden. Then I was Aware of him. He and Peace were drawn to my thoughts as surely as a floating twig follows a river current and I felt Adam’s delight that they could be in contact with me in this way. I felt his pride in our group and his joy for what we were attempting on our mission; he was thrilled with the way our first encounter with the Kindred had gone. And then the two of them – who were really one – melted away from my immediate Awareness, leaving a trace that would always allow me to find them easily if I needed them.

  ‘Am? Are you okay?’ Aleks asked.

  I smiled up at him. ‘Yes, sorry. I’m still learning how to keep up with what’s happening around me physically when things come up in my Awareness and take my attention. When it’s Justin who drops in for a conversation, I can’t seem to help muttering while I’m communicating with him, I don’t know why as I’ve never done it when having conversations with Infinity. When it’s other things that take my attention, I glaze over or just drop out of conversations. Sorry.’

  ‘So, the weird stuff you do, it’s because you’re not really with us? But you’re trying to be?’ Aleks asked.

  ‘Yep, and Infinity is hard on my case at the moment for me to do better,’ I replied.

  ‘And there’s me thinking that you’re all so sorted and it’s just me who is struggling, sorry Amarilla, I had no idea,’ Aleks said.

  I chuckled. ‘I think you and I are going to have to agree to stop apologising to one another. We’re both learning stuff, we’re both going to be a pain in the arse at times and we’re both going to just have to accept that that’s how it is for now. Okay?’

  ‘Got it! Thanks again Am. You know, for everything.’

  ‘No problem, now I’m going to get back up in front before we reach Rockwood, otherwise Rowena is going to start telling everyone her version of why we’re here and that can’t happen, so if you’ll excuse me...’

  Infinity obliged me by cantering back up to the front of the group.

  ‘I love that you think you’re learning patience,’ Marvel was saying to Rowena. ‘I think it’s a little fanciful, but it never hurts to see yourself in a good light.’ He swooped to avoid being swatted by Rowena’s outflung arm.

  ‘Rockwood, here we come,’ I said as Infinity’s hoof struck the first cobblestone of Rockwood’s main street.

  It wasn’t long before heads began to poke out of windows of the stone cottages that lined the street, at the clatter of our horses’ hooves on the cobblestones. Those villagers who were out and about their business in the street stopped and turned to stare. Mouths dropped open at the number of horses and riders and then eyes widened as one by one, the villagers recognised me.

  ‘By the breeze of spring, it’s Amarilla Nixon!’ I heard a voice say as its owner rushed into a stone cottage and returned seconds later with her two children. It was Lacey, a friend of my parents. She and her children waved to me, the children looking slightly unsure of what it was they were seeing. Lacey called out, ‘Amarilla, it’s so good to see you, and your horse, wow, look at her!’

  Infinity, whose mane and tail shone silvery-white in the spring sunshine and whose eyes would, I knew, be shining their intense blue at anyone she deigned to notice, pranced down the street, sitting her weight and mine on her powerful hindquarters so that her front legs were free to flick elegantly out in front of her. She revelled in the stunned admiration she was receiving from everyone watching her. I in turn revelled in feeling her power, her grace and my oneness with her. I smiled and waved back to Lacey and her children, while Rowena chortled behind me.

  More voices called out to us as people leaned out of cottage windows or stopped to watch as we passed them on the street and I looked behind me to see all of my companions smiling and waving back to the villagers who were clearly so delighted to see us all. I caught Rowena’s eye and winked. ‘Just waving to your public?’ I said and laughed as she stuck her tongue out at me.

  ‘Amarilla? Our Amarilla? By the wind of autumn, Amarilla is that really you? Oh, my goodness, I can hardly believe it, but it is! Jod, go and fetch Mailen. Actually, on second thoughts, no, don’t, we’ll all go to her.’ My Aunt Jasmine stood with my Uncle Jodral at the side of the street. Aunt Jasmine had her hand over her mouth and Uncle Jodral smiled as he waved at me. Both seemed unsure whether to approach Infinity.

  Infinity halted gracefully, allowing me to jump from her back and then rush to embrace my aunt and uncle. ‘Of course it’s me! It’s so good to see you both,’ I said, excitedly. ‘Come and meet Infinity. Hold the back of your hand out for her to sniff, like this.’

  Aunt Jasmine tentatively held out her hand as I’d shown her and Infinity immediately reached to sniff it. I felt her inspecting Aunt Jasmine’s connection to me, all that she and I were to one another and all that we had shared. She liked my aunt’s gentleness.

  Aunt Jasmine looked worriedly at me as Infinity continued to sniff her hand. ‘Am I doing it right?’ she whispered.

  I laughed. ‘You’re doing fine, she likes you. She’s never met any of my family before, well not in the flesh anyway, and she’s curious.’

  My aunt and uncle looked at me as if they’d never seen me before and I realised that Rowena’s warning to me about how much I’d changed might not all have been in jest.

  Infinity finally turned slightly from Aunt Jasmine and looked expectantly at Uncle Jodral, who smiled in wonder and then held out the back of his hand for her to sniff. He looked repeatedly from me to Infinity as she sniffed his hand, short sniffs interspersed with longer ones. I felt her inspecting his relationship to me in the same way she had done with Aunt Jasmine.

  ‘I can’t believe this,’ Uncle Jodral whispered. ‘I’ve never introduced myself to a horse before, never had reason to really, or the desire, but Infinity, she’s... well she’s...’

  I laughed. ‘She’s Infinity. And there are six more horses here if you’d like to meet more of them? I doubt the others will feel the need to inspect you quite so closely as Infinity just has! That’s Oak and Rowena is his Bond-Partner, Broad and Marvel are just behind them...’ I pointed out each of the horses and their Bond-Partners, all of whom nodded and smiled.

  My aunt and uncle moved to each horse in turn and introduced themselves, before engaging in enthusiastic conversation with my friends. I turned back to Infinity to see that she had a crowd of people admiring her from a respectful distance. She was delighting each admirer with a glance of her blue eyes and a bat of her eyelashes before moving on to the next.

  ‘Hi everyone, Infinity will be pleased to meet you if you come one at a time,’ I said and beckoned for the first person to approach Infinity. Her inspections of the people who filed past her were brief, until I noticed her pause over a large, tanned, male hand. I looked up to see the face of its owner and felt a rush of emotion.

  ‘Robbie!’ I said, throwing myself at my brother.

  He laughed as he returned my hug. ‘Steady on Am, anyone would think you’d missed me!’ He released me, took hold of my arms and held me away from him. His laughing, brown eyes had a measure of seriousness in them, something I’d never seen there before. ‘Look at you Am, just look at you! My little sister left, you’ve come back in her place and I can hardly believe that you and she are the same person.’

  My eyes filled with tears and I hugged my brother again, fiercely. When he began to laugh, I released him and saw that Infinity was nuzz
ling his ear.

  ‘No teeth Infinity, his skin’s even weaker than mine,’ I said.

  I laughed as Robbie said in a slightly higher-pitched voice than normal, ‘teeth? No, definitely no teeth please Infinity, I depend on my rugged good looks, of which my ears play a large part!’

  Infinity settled for a final wiggle of her upper lip on his shoulder, before leaving him be.

  ‘Not scared, were you Rob?’ I said.

  ‘Who me?’ he said, his voice returning to normal. ‘Well maybe just a tiny bit, I mean she’s a big girl, isn’t she?’

  ‘Big? Um no, not really, if you’d like to meet some big horses, come and meet Oak and Broad,’ I said and beckoned to Rowena and Marvel.

  ‘Ah yes, Oak, I remember him from when Rowena came to explain your disappearance,’ Robbie said and lifted a hand in greeting to Rowena. ‘I love your style by the way, a much less stressful way to leave than enduring Mum’s histrionics. Now this is Broad?’ He held his hand out for Broad to sniff and I introduced him to Marvel, with whom he struck up an instant rapport.

  Rowena glanced from the two men to me and grinned. ‘Everything alright?’ she mouthed to me.

  I smiled back and nodded as Aunt Jasmine and Uncle Jodral reappeared.

  ‘I think we’d better get you home before your mother hears that you’re here and practically the whole village has seen you and Infinity before she has,’ said Aunt Jasmine. ‘Your Dad, Con and Katonia should be there by now, for lunch. Robbie meets his girlfriend most lunchtimes,’ she told me with a wink. ‘I think he may actually be close to settling down this time.’

  ‘Mum can dream he might be, anyway,’ I said and she laughed.

  I yelled out to my friends that Infinity and I were going on to my family’s house, and those that had dismounted to chat to people immediately remounted. Robbie lifted his hand and called out that he’d see me at dinner that evening, then shook hands with Marvel before continuing on his way. I stayed on foot and walked between Infinity and my aunt, my hand resting on Infinity’s withers. People waved and called out greetings to all of us as we passed and I was glad that they were making my friends as welcome as they were me. But we were all Horse-Bonded, I realised. After being immersed in life at The Gathering, I’d almost forgotten that not everyone had a bond with a horse and that as Horse-Bonded, we were awarded a level of prestige. How silly that seemed now. We were all just people, all dealing with our own challenges, some of us with horses to help us and some of us without, but no one more or less important than the next.