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

by Lynn Mann

  The Carpenters laid down boarding for a dance floor within the grassy horseshoe and they erected a raised platform off to one side where the fiddlers could sit, safe from the frivolity of the dance floor.

  The Tailors worked around the clock to make a beautiful white wedding gown, whose bodice was embroidered with Katonia’s favourite flowers. They made a waistcoat for Jack in the same white cloth and a plain but beautifully cut and stitched gown for me in mauve – Katonia’s favourite colour.

  The village Baker provided the food for the wedding banquet with the help of many of our friends in order to get it all done in time, but my mother insisted that she and Aunt Jasmine would make the wedding cake, for which we were all grateful since once their work began, everyone else was left alone to do their own jobs in peace.

  On the morning of the wedding, the Weather-Singers were up at dawn, singing up a forceful wind to blow away the clouds that threatened rain, until the weak rays of the morning sun shone down uninterrupted. Then, a gentle breeze was encouraged from the south, providing a warmth that complemented that provided by the sunshine.

  Finally, everything was ready, although in the case of the wedding cake, only a few minutes before the wedding guests arrived. It was rushed outside by my father and brothers, and then there were excited shrieks as my mother and Aunt Jasmine hastened to wash icing from their hands and get changed, before racing out of the back door towards the paddock where everybody would be waiting for Katonia and me.

  Katonia looked at me and blew out a slow, deep breath. She looked beautiful. Her brown hair was drawn back into an elegant pleat with a few tendrils hanging loose. She wore little makeup, just enough to accentuate the blue of her eyes and the red of her lips. Her gown followed the gentle curves of her slim body and the flowers with which it was embroidered matched those woven into a delicate circlet upon her head. A lump formed in my throat.

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ whispered Katonia, drawing me into a hug. ‘If you cry, I’ll cry and then we’ll both have Mum to answer to when I have eyeliner running down my face.’

  I took a deep breath as I hugged her back. ‘Come on then, our steeds await, and we don’t want to keep them or your groom waiting, although how we are both supposed to get on board in these dresses with no outside help is beyond me!’

  We giggled as we linked arms and went out to the front of the cottage, where Infinity and Candour waited patiently. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of them. Candour wore a garland of white flowers to match Katonia’s dress. His dapple-grey coat shone from the grooming Jack had given him and his mane and tail gleamed a bright white. His ears were pricked and his brown eyes sparkled with interest in Katonia as she approached him.

  The sun’s rays made the black patches of Infinity’s coat glisten even as they bounced merrily off of the white that was her main colouring. She wore a garland that matched the mauve of my dress and I couldn’t suppress a grin at the slight wrinkling of her nose at fulfilling her agreement to wear flowers, some of which, to her, would have made for interesting browsing. I’d added insult to injury by plaiting the top of her tail and then inserting more mauve flowers into the plait. She looked beautiful though and my heart melted as her blue eyes watched my approach.

  ‘Right Kat, we’ll get you on first. You’re going to have to stand on the fence next to Candour and then throw your leg over his back, as Jack showed you yesterday, while I hold your dress out of the way as best I can. Ready?’

  At Katonia’s nod, I gathered as much of her dress up as I could and threw it over my shoulder as I stood behind her, ready to give her a push up on to Candour’s back if needed. My sister climbed on to the fence and mounted easily. She leaned forward and stroked Candour’s neck with obvious fondness. ‘Thank you, Candour,’ she said.

  I arranged the long, full skirt of Katonia’s dress over Candour’s rump as my sister settled herself on his back. ‘Thanks, Am,’ she said, quietly.

  I squeezed her leg and grinned up at her. ‘You both look stunning. This is going to be the best entrance made by a bride in the whole of Rockwood’s history.’

  Katonia smiled. ‘It is, isn’t it, thanks to Candour and Infinity.’

  ‘That’s if I can get on her bareback by myself, in a dress,’ I said, ‘and I haven’t ridden her without a saddle since the first time I ever sat on her, and that didn’t exactly end well! Right, Fin, bear with me, apologies in advance if I make a mess of this.’

  Infinity helpfully positioned herself alongside the garden fence while I climbed on top of it. I pulled the back of my skirt forward between my legs and then threw my leg over Infinity’s back and sat astride her. Katonia roared with laughter as I almost slipped off of the other side.

  ‘Okay so maybe grooming her to the point of gleaming and then sitting on her in a slippery material wasn’t the best idea,’ I admitted, laughing as I repositioned myself. Infinity’s ears flicked back and forth with slight uncertainty over the feel of my seatbones on her back, then she gathered herself together and moved alongside Candour. ‘Ready?’ I said.

  Katonia nodded and Candour moved off to take Katonia along the route that Jack had shown him the previous day, with Infinity to his side and slightly behind.

  ‘How wonderful is this, having the most beautiful horse take me to my wedding? Candour, thank you so much!’ Katonia said, leaning forward to rub Candour’s neck as the horses walked to the end of our row of cottages and then turned down a pathway to the gardens and paddocks behind. She sat very naturally upon his back and I noted that she would probably have taken to riding far more quickly than I did, had she had cause.

  It felt very strange to be riding saddleless and bridleless, but I was pleased to find that although Infinity definitely preferred the feel of a saddle on her back to that of my bony backside, we didn’t miss the bridle at all; she no longer needed it as the fail-safe it had once been for her. If it weren’t for the fact that I was trying not to slide off of her back due to the slippery material of my dress, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the ride through our neighbours’ paddocks until we reached those of Nixonhouse.

  There was a collective gasp as the wedding guests turned to watch our arrival. Candour and Infinity took us to the far end of the blossomed archway, and then walked slowly, majestically, through it until we reached Jack where he stood, beaming, with my parents and brothers. Jack rubbed Candour’s face and then helped Katonia down from his horse’s back, while I slid as gracefully as I could manage down from Infinity and then attempted to smooth my dress into some semblance of decorum.

  Never again, Fin, that’s the last time I EVER wear a dress, I told her.

  And the last time you hang herbs around my neck, she replied.

  Agreed.

  Before we knew it, my family and I had all embraced Jack to welcome him into our family, Jack and Katonia had spoken their vows and exchanged the wedding bracelets that they had designed for one another and my mother had wept into and soaked through three handkerchiefs. At a raised hand from my father, the lanterns were lit and the celebrations began.

  Infinity and Candour, who had stood patiently through the ceremony, cantered away from the party and jumped the fence into a neighbouring paddock, where they proceeded to buck and leap around joyfully. I saw Infinity’s garland fly off into the air and I laughed as I saw her circle back to it and proceed to munch on some of its content before joining Candour in galloping another circuit of the paddock.

  I sighed. My friends and I would miss Candour and Jack immensely and I knew that they would miss us. They were needed here though, with my sister and all of those who needed Jack’s help to multiskill, not to mention his and Candour’s counsel during this time of change.

  ‘Enough of those solemn thoughts you’re thinking,’ said Marvel in my ear, ‘it’s time to dance.’ He held his hand out to me as the fiddlers launched into a frantic tune. I grinned as I took it and followed him to the dance floor where Rowena was already wheeling around delightedly with my father,
and my mother was being sedately and respectfully manoeuvred around by Aleks.

  Before I knew it, I was being whirled around like a grain of sand in a sandstorm, with no idea where on the dance floor I was, or how it was that I didn’t crash into anyone else. When Marvel finally released me, gasping, I was so dizzy that I staggered into Katonia, became entangled in her dress and then fell to the ground, pulling her down with me.

  The laughter that broke out around us nearly drowned out my mother’s shrieks of horror, but not quite. I was lifted to my feet by a very apologetic Marvel, and Jack was there in a flash to help my sister regain her footing and brush the dirt from her dress.

  ‘Elegance isn’t really your thing, is it Am?’ said Rowena from nearby, tears of laughter rolling down her cheeks. ‘It’s hard to fathom that you and your sister are even distantly related!’

  ‘Well, Marvel was just saying that you’re next on his list, so let’s see what you can do,’ I retorted, chuckling, and then under my breath said to Marvel, ‘go on, give her your best and if she’s still standing by the end of it, there’ll be no beer for you!’

  The celebrations carried on well into the night. The dancing was interrupted only briefly by Jack and Katonia cutting their wedding cake and then each making a brief speech. Katonia began by thanking everyone for all of their efforts in helping to make the wedding possible at such short notice, and then thanked everyone for attending. She went on to speak of how one of the saddest moments of her life – when I went missing after Infinity tugged me – had resulted in one of the happiest: meeting Jack when I brought him to our family home. Jack glanced over at me and winked and I grinned back at him with affection. His talent for delivering truth in an easily receivable way, combined with his sensitivity, made him a formidable force for the good of everyone. He was the perfect match for my sister.

  When it was Jack’s turn to speak, he put an arm around Katonia and gently pulled her close as he thanked my family for giving him such a warm welcome. His own family members had either passed on or scattered to various villages and he had never expected to belong to another family aside from that offered by the companionship of the Horse-Bonded at The Gathering, where he confessed to now feeling uncomfortable for any length of time due to his past mistakes. My brothers shouted out that he had no idea what he was letting himself in for in becoming part of our family, until my mother swatted them both and told them, with a smile, to be quiet.

  Jack then spoke of his and Katonia’s plans to settle in Rockwood and provide a permanent place of help for anyone wanting help to multiskill or receive Candour’s counsel. He echoed my own observation that the world of humans was changing quickly and that he and Candour would help in any way they could, with Katonia’s assistance. He spoke of the ease with which his new wife had opened to her knowledge of being able to multiskill and nobody could miss the pride in his voice as he assured everyone that it wouldn’t be long before she would be his partner in his work as well as in his life.

  When the speeches were over to loud cheering and applause, and the dancing had resumed, I climbed the grassy horseshoe and sat down to lean upon one of the lantern posts, enjoying the scent of lavender from the candle flaming above my head as I watched the celebrations going on below. I could see Katonia and Jack dancing cheek to cheek, her brown hair contrasting against the bright blond of his and I missed Justin acutely, all of a sudden.

  I’m right here, Justin spoke in my mind.

  Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you, I replied.

  From what? Lying awake, picturing all the dancing and hilarity going on there without me?

  I thought you’d have been asleep ages ago, it’s late.

  It’s hard to sleep when you’re not where you want to be. How’s it all gone?

  It was beautiful. Jack and Katonia are so happy they could burst, that’s if my Mum doesn’t burst first, and the party’s still going with a swing, literally in Marvel’s case – he’s had me, Katonia and Rowena on the ground so far with his exuberance and by the look of things, my aunt might be next.

  I could feel Justin’s amusement. And you’re off tomorrow? he asked.

  If it’s past midnight now, then yes. We’ll recover today, get a good night’s sleep and then leave tomorrow at dawn.

  Have you had any further contact with the Kindred Elder? Justin was immediately Aware of the answer to his question. Hmmm, she’s checking in with you from time to time and observing, but still making no attempt to communicate. Interesting.

  She knows I’m Aware of her whenever her mind touches mine but I’m following Fin’s advice and allowing the contact without reciprocating, I explained.

  I felt Justin’s understanding and approval just as Katonia’s voice said beside me, ‘from all the muttering, I take it that you’re talking to Justin?’

  ‘Well hi there, sister of mine, wife of Jack’s, mother of Mum’s future grandchildren, how’re you doing?’ I grinned up at my sister.

  Katonia plopped down on the ground beside me and put her arm around my shoulders. ‘I’m doing just fine. Say hello to that man of yours and tell him we wish he was here.’

  ‘He knows.’

  ‘And does he have any suggestions as to how you can get me to hear you when you’re trying to reach me through my mind?’ Katonia said.

  It must be the same as when horses tug their Bond-Partners, Justin suggested.

  I nodded, thoughtfully.

  ‘Is that a yes? Oh, please say it is, I can’t bear the thought of you going off to find the Kindred and me not knowing what’s happening to you,’ said Katonia.

  Infinity, can you help? How do horses reach their humans for the first time, when they tug them? I asked.

  In the same way that we communicate now. It can take many attempts, she informed me.

  But Katonia’s sensitive, surely it should be as easy for me to reach her as it was for you to reach me?

  You had already carved a pathway between our minds by your reachings for me when you could sense me and by your imaginings when you could not.

  My imaginings? They helped you to reach me more easily?

  Imagination is thought. It is of interest that humans think imagination to be removed from reality when indeed reality is a dream and therefore of the imagination.

  I could almost see Justin sitting up in bed, nodding in amused wonder at Infinity’s musings, and I giggled.

  At my sister’s raised eyebrows, I said, ‘Kat, try to use your imagination. Imagine I’m there in your mind with you, imagine that you can hear me in your mind as easily as you hear your own thoughts. Imagine that I’m there and know that you can hear me, and that might stop you blocking me.’

  Katonia was nodding and smiling, thoughtfully. ‘Okay, I’ll try it.’

  ‘Don’t try it, do it. That’s what Infinity’s always said to me and she’s always been right. Do it. Okay?’

  Katonia hugged me. ‘I’ll do it. And in the meantime, I want you to look into my mind at any time you want to know what’s going on here, you have my permission, okay?’

  ‘Well I’m not sure that’s something that’s really...’ I began.

  ‘Please, Am, I’ll do everything you say to make sure I can hear you as soon as possible, but in the meantime, I want to know that you can at least draw comfort from knowing what we’re all up to here. Jack’s told me everything about the Woeful attack on The Gathering and all that happened afterwards, so I know that when you told us about it, you glossed over just how terrible it was for you. Jack’s also been honest, as only he can, about exactly what is in front of you. He feels awful that he’s not coming with you to help and I feel dreadful that I’m the cause of him staying here, so please, let me give you the little comfort that I can?’

  I nodded. ‘Okay, thanks. But honestly, neither of you should feel bad that Jack’s staying here, in fact I’m glad he is, because Candour will know what we’re up to and can tell Jack, so you’ll know we’re alright. Be warned though, you’ll only be told wh
at Candour decides is relevant and that will usually be a good deal less than you’ll want to know! But as Infinity used to have to constantly remind me, everything happens as it should.’

  I’ll remind you of that when Aleks is driving you all mad without Jack to keep him in line, Justin teased.

  Go to sleep. You have students to teach today, I reminded him.

  I do. Tell everyone I said hi. And rest easy until you leave, Am, because then it all begins.

  Yes, I replied, muttering, then it all begins.

  ‘Then it all begins,’ repeated Katonia, squeezing my hand tightly.

  Seven

  Attraction

  All of my family insisted on seeing my friends and me off on our journey, despite the fact that the sun was only just beginning to rise over the woodland to the east. Jack ensured that my departure was as painless as possible by radiating a gentle light that settled amongst my family, calming the building emotion.

  I hugged my brothers goodbye, and then my father, who whispered, ‘you’ll always be my little girl, no matter where you are or what you do. Take care and come back to us soon. I love you.’

  ‘I love you too, Dad,’ I said as I released him.

  As I reached my mother, Jack strengthened his light flow towards her. Tears streamed down her face, but she was calm as she held her arms out to me. ‘I wish you could all have stayed longer,’ she said as she held me close, ‘but I know you have to go. Thank you for bringing Jack to us. Come back soon and in the meantime, stay safe, promise me?’

  ‘I’m always safe, Mum, don’t worry about me. And I’ll be back before you know it.’