by Lynn Mann
‘Lacemore will show you how to do what she did for yourself, now that you can,’ I said. ‘Feel what she does and let yourself copy her. Don’t think about it, just know that you can do it.’
Within minutes, Katonia’s energy net soothed and nurtured her son. ‘I did it!’ she said. ‘Lacemore, thank you.’ Katonia stood on her tiptoes and just about managed to reach Lacemore’s chin with a kiss.
A gasp went up from the gathered crowd.
‘I can’t believe all of this,’ Katonia said as she held her sleeping son close. ‘I know these Kindred as if I’ve always known them. They’re kind and caring and funny and... they’re missing their friends and family. Only seven of them came as well as Fitt, because they didn’t want to frighten us. They want to help us all in the way that Lacemore has just helped me.’
‘How has she helped you Kat? Help me to understand what’s happening?’ said my father whilst my mother looked from Katonia to me as if the world had just ended.
‘I’m Aware, Dad. I know the Kindred as well as I know you. Better, actually, because I haven’t looked into you as they’ve allowed me to do to them. I know that Candour is proud of Jack and me. He’s missed the physical company of the other horses but his sacrifice has been worthwhile. I know that Amarilla and her friends travelled far to find the Kindred and that they and their horses were willing to give up everything to win the Kindred’s trust. I know that I’ve lived other lives before this one, and that Amarilla has lived one of them with me. As has Jack, more than one, actually, and so has Will. I know that the trees have withdrawn into themselves but are ever watchful for the first sign of spring. I know that there is a bird of prey nearby who defends her kill from another. I feel as if I’m her, we’re one and the same...’
I put my arm around my sister and spoke into her ear. ‘Katonia, listen to me. You’re becoming overwhelmed by everything you’re Aware of. We’ll help you with that over the coming days, but for now, you need to come back to yourself before you frighten everyone. Focus on Will and what he needs from you for now, okay?’
‘Will,’ Katonia whispered and snapped back to herself. ‘I know that Will’s bladder will be emptying very soon and I need to get back to change him before he becomes uncomfortable,’ she announced to the crowd. ‘Amarilla and Holly have brought the Kindred – they are Kindred, NOT Woeful – to Rockwood because they can help us and we can help them in return. I have trusted them with the life of my son and they have given me the greatest gift in return. I would ask that you all make every effort to make them feel welcome here.
‘Lacemore, you and your family will stay with Jack, Will and me. We have a paddock behind our house for Flame, if she’ll be okay there by herself? Oh, I know the answer, she would prefer to have Infinity with her – Am, you’d better come too.’ Katonia turned to carve a path through the crowd, but continued to speak to us all over her shoulder. ‘Justin, you can stay with my parents and they would love to have one of your Kindred friends as their guest too. Now who else has space? Ah, Uncle Jod, can you have Rowena, Marvel and another two of the Kindred? Harperlake and Harperleaf are quiet, you’ll like them...’
As Katonia made her way home, still giving orders, Jack made his way among us, hugging his friends and shaking the hands of the Kindred.
‘Flaming lanterns, Jack, just because you can bone-sing, doesn’t mean you get to break my ribs, that’s some hug,’ said Vickery when it was her turn.
‘You’ve no idea how much I’ve missed you sorry lot,’ said Jack. ‘Good to see you too Justin, couldn’t stay away from my wife’s sister for long, then?’
Justin laughed. ‘I almost stayed away for too long, as it happens,’ he said and then turned to the Kindred. ‘No offence,’ he added.
‘Lots taken,’ said Levitsson with a newly mastered wink.
Jack frowned. ‘I can see that there’s more to your tale than Candour has seen fit to tell me,’ he said, ‘but I’m in awe of what you’ve done for him and for all of the horses. I was with you at times, through Candour, as you rode those wild horses to perfect balance and when Candour achieved his as a result of your efforts, I cried like a baby.’
‘And you haven’t ridden him since,’ said Marvel. ‘We’ll soon see about that.’
‘I can’t do it to him, I’ll compromise him. No horse should ever have to suffer that again.’
‘Then don’t let him suffer it,’ said Rowena. ‘Achieve perfect balance with your horse and come to Awareness the hard way, the way we all did. You’ll have to overcome whatever blocks you currently have in place in order to achieve it, as we all did, but in doing so, unlike those who will be Aware as a result of the Kindred’s help, you’ll have complete, unfettered Awareness because there will be nothing blocking you from knowing all there is to know. And then you’ll be of even more help to everyone here; they won’t all come to their Awareness as easily as Katonia did, or be able to use it to the same extent. We’ll help you to get there,’ said Rowena.
‘I don’t think I can, though. I’ve tried in the past, but I’m just not a good enough rider,’ said Jack.
‘You’re surrounded by nine determined friends and yet you think you have a choice,’ said Levitsson. ‘You hold a position of respect in Rockwood. People come from all around for your help and you’re very good at what you do. So good that you are no longer willing to attempt something at which you might fail.’
‘There he goes again,’ said Aleks with a grin. ‘I knew he wouldn’t be able to contain himself.’
‘Levitsson,’ growled Foxstep.
Jack looked at Levitsson with a scowl that softened into a thoughtful frown. Finally, he said, ‘you have a point, my friend.’
‘Oh, he has lots of them,’ said Aleks.
Levitsson nodded, gravely.
There was a cough behind us and we all turned to find my parents and brothers standing in a huddle.
‘Am?’ said my father.
I ran to him and flung my arms around his neck, and was then almost suffocated as he and my family all hugged and kissed me at once.
Finally, Robbie stepped away and held out his hand to Levitsson. ‘I’m Robbie. I don’t know how it’s happening, but somehow, I know that you’re easy-going but clever and you like a joke, very like myself and Con. I would say, if I may, that I feel we’re kindred spirits.’
We all groaned but Levitsson laughed as he shook my brother’s hand. ‘I agree, although I no longer live with my parents. There comes a time when humour must stand on its own and no longer be used as a diversion from taking responsibility.’
I like it, Levitsson’s learning subtlety, Justin’s thoughts carried his amusement and I grinned.
My brothers stared at Levitsson in amused confusion and then my father smiled and stepped forward to offer his own hand to Levitsson. ‘I’m Frank, and this is my wife, Mailen. You would be very welcome to stay at our home,’ he said.
I saw my mother’s knees buckle slightly, but she rallied and focused her attention on Justin. She braced her shoulders and walked up to where he sat astride Gas. Immediately, Justin leapt to the ground, landing beside her. She looked him up and down, appraisingly and I saw Rowena trying not to laugh.
‘So, you’re the Justin we’ve heard all about,’ my mother said, offering him her hand.
Justin shook it. ‘I am. I’m very pleased to meet you. And this is Gas.’
My mother held her hand out and Gas sniffed it and then nuzzled her wrist, making her giggle. ‘You’re very welcome to stay in my home,’ she said to Justin.
Justin glanced at me and his brown eyes twinkled as he smiled.
Epilogue
Rockwood is double the size it was before the Kindred of Shady Mountain came to live amongst us. It is a happy place. Those villagers whose minds have opened readily to their oneness with All That Is have cleared a path in our collective consciousness for the rest to follow and they do, at an ever increasing rate.
The villagers are Aware to differing degrees. Some
minds are so ready and open for change that they welcome their Awareness as an old friend, instantly comfortable with it and open to everything they feel with only minimal blocks – grief for a loved one, sadness at an opportunity missed, pressure to fulfil the expectations of their family – to knowing the full extent of what they can know. Others accept their connection to All That Is when shown it by the Kindred, yet fight the implications of it, too reluctant or too fearful to give up their idea of themselves as completely individual and unique. For them, their Awareness is something that is precious in that it gives them a sense of belonging and kinship with all beings, but yields little more. All who are Aware, however, have a newfound sense of happiness and relief that only increases the longer the Kindred are with us, Levitsson in particular.
Levitsson has developed a passion – against the advice we gave him and in defiance of Foxstep’s protestations – for highlighting the things about which people lie to themselves. He has developed a manner of delivering his observations that is subtle and humorous and is proving very effective in helping people to move past their blocks and experience their Awareness more fully. With Levitsson’s help, Jack has become almost as skilled and Katonia, Harperlake and Harperleaf aren’t far behind.
I always know when Fitt and Flame have reached a new village with Aleks and Nexus, Sonja and Bright at their side. I feel their focus and concentration as Aleks and Sonja confirm the message that the Heralds have taken ahead of them – that Fitt will help as many of them as she can to know the truth of themselves before she moves on to the next village, and that there are more Kindred willing to help those whose minds need longer exposure to a Kindred in order to become Aware, if they are willing to welcome them to live in their villages. Then I feel the human collective consciousness shifting further towards knowledge of oneness as Fitt begins her work.
Vickery, Holly, Marvel and Rowena are at The Gathering, organising our fellow Horse-Bonded to visit the villages that Fitt and Flame leave in their wake, where they will help the humans and Kindred to integrate. It’s working. The Kindred race is flourishing every bit as much as the human race as the two live with and learn from each other. The Kindred are healthier and will live longer lives now that they can combat their build-up of skin and there are early signs that their fecundity is increasing. They delight in working alongside their human friends as they practise their newfound Skills or choose Trades in which to apprentice and now that their time is no longer consumed by mere survival, they are revelling in learning and playing as many games as the village children will teach them, as well as discovering the joys of the arts and crafts.
When I visit Mother Elder and Foxstep in the thick-walled stone cottage that they have chosen to share, I find them happy. Often, Lacemore and Ashwell are with them, visiting whilst they babysit Will for my sister. Mother Elder delights in bouncing my blond-haired nephew on her knee while he hangs on to her pelt with his little fists, gurgling with laughter. Will is always prone to smiling and laughter, except for when he’s focusing on something he either does or specifically doesn’t want to do and then we all feel the strength of his character. There are times when the only way to distract him from his resolve is to place him on Candour’s back. Immediately, his face will light up as he grabs handfuls of mane and bounces around, with Candour stepping aside frequently to stay underneath his tiny passenger. Often, Jack will leap up behind him and the three of them will take a tour of the village, to the smiles and waves of the villagers, human and Kindred.
My nephew will be much needed in times to come and when I get glimpses of his future, I’m already proud. He has chosen his parents well, but I will ensure he knows that Infinity and I will always be there for him if he needs us.
Justin and I are settled in Rockwood, for now. We have been requested to write for the Histories not only our own stories, but those of the Kindred, the other Horse-Bonded, and the newly Aware villagers – in fact anyone and everyone who has a story to tell in this time of change. It’s a huge undertaking, but it awards us the chance to live a quieter life than in recent years. When we’re not working, we love spending time with our friends and family. It is when we have time with our horses, away from Rockwood, however, that we are most at ease.
People smile and wave as we ride Infinity and Gas bareback and bridleless down the street. Gas is much taller than Infinity and yet somehow, without effort, they walk in step, her silvery-white legs matching his long, chestnut ones as they flick out in front and almost seem not to land and take weight before they are lifted once more. Once our hooves leave the cobblestones behind, we run. We run until we can no longer feel the earth beneath us – until we are home. We soar. In the oneness, we are everything we can think of being, with no restraints. When it is time for us to return to our lives within the dream, we do, feeling refreshed. We are happy and fulfilled. We are Infinity.
If you have enjoyed The Horses Rejoice, you may like to know that the story concludes in The Horses Return (The Horses Know Book 3).
Review
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Other books by Lynn Mann
The Horses Know
And
The Horses Return (The Horses Know Book 3)
It has been more than twenty years since the Kindred came to live in Rockwood. Most of the villagers have embraced the Kindred and all that they have to teach, but there are those who fear the Kindreds' influence, and so have drifted away to live as outcasts. The outcasts suffer, living as they do, but they refuse help, even from the Horse-Bonded.
Will is adamant that he can succeed where the Horse-Bonded have failed, and bring the outcasts home. But his forceful personality constantly gets in his way. He is the key to the future, but if he is to play his part, he must allow a herd of wild horses to show him how to be the person he needs to be. Only then will he fully understand the lengths to which Amarilla and Infinity have gone to ensure that he can fulfil his destiny and reunite the human race…
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Acknowledgments
There are a number of people who have been instrumental in bringing this book into existence: Darren Mann gives me the space I need in order to write, as well as his support and insights – he’s a husband in a million; I have a fantastic editing, copy editing and proofreading team, whose influences are woven into my books – Fern Sherry, Leonard Palmer, Rebecca Walters and Susan Wilkinson, I couldn’t write without you; Jon Morris of MoPhoto has not only provided the fabulous shots of the horses for inclusion in the covers of both The Horses Know and The Horses Rejoice, but also has generously allowed the use of his photos for their promotion. A massive thank you to you all.
I also have to put my thanks out there to the animals who enrich my life and inspire me to write: Coxstone Infinity (Pie), who is behind it all; Lady of Flame (Eden) who was the inspiration for Flame; Braveheart and the late Marcus, Leiko and Mac, all of whom frequently dance around in my mind; Hector the cat who keeps my lap warm and distracts me in equal measures; and last but by no means least, my dogs, Dashel and Ivy, who are my constant companions.
Lastly, a massive thank you to my readers for the support you have given me by leaving reviews, commenting on and sharing facebook posts and contacting me directly – it’s hugely appreciated.
The subtitle of The Horses Know books is
‘A Bond with a Horse Can Change Everything’.
In order to celebrate the release of The Horses Rejoice, Lynn asked you to send in stories of how your bond with your horse has changed things for you.
Thes
e are some of the beautiful stories that were received.
STEPHANIE MILLER AND MILLIE
Millie is my horse of a lifetime. I have worked as a professional groom and Millie has moved everywhere with me. I don’t have many friends, so Millie is the only one I want to see. She grooms me so I will groom her back. If a stranger talks to me over the stable door, Millie stands over me, protectively. When I hit rock bottom and was homeless, I cried next to her while she lowered her head and cuddled into me. She is loving when I struggle to find good in anything or anybody. Millie has the most big beautiful eyes, when you look into them all you see is kindness, contentment, trust and love. I feel I have learnt an awful lot, not just about Millie or horses but about myself – how to love and care and to open my eyes to situations. I hope we have many more years growing together.
CHERYLYN GIBBS AND TUPPENCE
I was given Tuppence as a four-year-old pony when I was twelve. She was beautiful but so temperamental and naughty – but I loved her even though people told me to get rid of her. A year later, I lost my Dad suddenly. I went up to the yard the next day and she was laying down in the stable. I cried in her mane and slept in her legs and she didn’t move for an hour. Over the years she found the way home when I was lost, protected me and chased a burglar and was always there for me. She passed away with her head on my lap. We were there for each other from the beginning to the very end. RIP my special girl.