The Shadow Thief

By K.L. Bauman

Echo Mareau and her brother, Brecker haven't been seeing eye-to-eye. Training together to be defenders of their home, they've fought before; but this time is different. Echo never believed Brecker would connect with a doon, a powerful, dark being that painfully and irreversibly binds a person with a shake of the hand. What's worse, Echo finds out the doon is Belzac, an ancient, dark being who once tried to rule Thildin Valley, home to Echo's family, the elves, and the special horses Echo's dad has cared for all of her life. Echo and her unique horse, Shimmer, must face impossible choices, formidable foes, lung-crushing fears, and the shadows that linger in their own hearts in order to save those they love. With self-loathing, doubt, and bitterness in her heart, Echo may not be able to find the key to victory before it is too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.L. Bauman
• Release date: Sep 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301207053

K.L. Bauman

Kristi was born and raised in the plains and badland areas of Eastern Montana. It was a perfect place for imagination and adventure! She still resides in a small, Eastern Montana town with her two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with the Lord and her family, writing, reading, editing, drawing, and binge-watching anime and TV shows or watching movies. She's a bit of a super-hero nerd (Spidey has always been her favorite), but she's an even bigger fan of Christian fiction and fantasy stories. Her favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, Vicki V. Lucas, Kristen Heitzmann, and Morgan L. Busse, just to name a few.

Book preview

The Shadow Thief

By K. L. Bauman

Copyright 2013 K. L. Bauman

Smashwords Addition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowlegments

Thank you to my instructor, Kristi Collier from Institute of Children’s Literature, for helping write the first draft of this story. Your help was invaluable, and I enjoyed learning from you.

A HUGE thank you to my Mom,sister, mother-in-law, and sisters-in law for reading and re-reading, looking for errors. I appreciate your long hours and support. Thanks to my dad for helping me keep my imagination young and for allowing me to have horses out on the farm. Thanks to my husband, Donald, for inspiring me to go after my dreams, even when it isn’t easy. Thanks to my two girls, Kira and Myah, for keeping me young and helping me have a child-like wonder about the world around me. (And thanks to Kira for inventing the wolfix!) Mostly, thanks to the Lord for giving me insight and understanding, and for being the first to forgive, even when I didn’t deserve it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 ~ New Born

Chapter 2 ~ Two Years Later

Chapter 3 ~ Discussion Over a Plate of Worms

Chapter 4 ~ Inspiration

Chapter 5 ~ Strange Encounters

Chapter 6 ~ Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

Chapter 7 ~ Elightening

Chapter 8 ~ Becoming

Chapter 9 ~ Kavalah

Chapter 10 ~ Deadly Handshake

Chapter 11 ~ The Secret Place

Chapter 12 ~ Cage

Chapter 13 ~ The Hunter

Chapter 14 ~ Nothing is Certain

Chapter 15 ~ Envy of the Elves

Chapter 16 ~ Discovery

Chapter 17 ~ The Dragon’s Tooth

Chapter 18 ~ Three Magical Creatures

Chapter 19 ~ A meeting at the Crossroads

Chapter 20 ~ Song

Chapter 21 ~ The Crystal Key

Chapter 22 ~ The Beginning of the End

Chapter 23 ~ The Fate’s Fury

Chapter 24 ~ A Crash Course in Tree Hopping

Chapter 25 ~ Secret Keepers

Chapter 26 ~ Truth

Chapter 27 ~ Unfathomable Reality

Chapter 28 ~ Surprise

Chapter 29 ~ Secret of the Sun’s Heart

Chapter 30 ~ Apples and Old Friends

Chapter 31 ~ Tomorrow Night

Chapter 32 ~ Final Moments

Chapter 33 ~ The Battle Begins

Chapter 34 ~ Sibling Rivalry

Chapter 35 ~ Belzac the Doon

Chapter 36 ~ The Power of Forgiveness

Chapter 37 ~ Echo’s Purpose

Spiritual Specials

About the Author

Connect with the Author Online

Chapter 1

New Born

Amazing how something so simple can be so beautiful! Echo thought. She watched the light of dawn sparkle against small orbs of water clinging to the jagged branches of the thunder trees. Tiny dew fairies moved inside the droplets, busy doing whatever it was that dew fairies did, their lives beginning with the formation of the dew and ending when the sun burned away their watery shields. Occasionally, one droplet would roll along a branch and join another as the fairies came together.

Golden sunlight warmed the cool morning sky. The surrounding hills held a contrasting blue tint as misty silver snakes uncoiled from around them. The sweet scent of damp earth and grass filled Echo’s nostrils as she breathed deeply and followed her family along a narrow path through thick trees. As her dad limped toward the openness of Thildin Valley, he slowed and then stopped, raising a hand as signal to join him quietly at his position. Echo and her mother, sister, and brother cautiously approached.

There, Echo’s dad whispered, pointing a nub where a finger should’ve been toward a clearing in the grass ahead. He signaled again and everyone hid behind the trees, peering around their jagged trunks, eager to see but not be seen.

Excitement tickled Echo as she watched a lone mare, as bright and golden as the morning sun, rise from the ground. Steam danced from the mare’s glistening body as she trembled, but purposefully spun around and lowered her head. She tenderly nudged something in the shaggy grass and nickered softly.

A tiny golden head rose from the grass as the foal took in its first images of the world. A fuzzy ribbon of white--the foal’s wispy mane--trailed along its small but graceful neck.

Echo flipped the single thick braid of auburn hair over her shoulder and grinned at her dad before returning her attention to the mare and foal. It had become tradition with Echo’s family to witness the birth and first moments of life of the elves’ highly prized horses. Echo’s father, Oran, had been entrusted with the care of the magnificent creatures after saving their beloved stallion from a shadow dweller’s trap on the Dragon’s Tooth--a strange, lone mountain that jutted up from the Diern badlands bordering the eastern edge of their home, Thildin Valley. He’d injured his leg and lost some fingers, and nearly his life, to the frost wraiths in the process. He had always claimed with a twinkle in his brown eyes that reckless curiosity had driven him up that frozen rock. Why or how the stallion had been there remained a mystery.

Having been given the duty as caretaker over the horses was proof of the elves’ tremendous gratitude--it was an honorable charge that was usually given exclusively to elves. Echo’s dad was the first human to be granted the post.

That had been before Echo or her siblings had been born. She’d been coming to the valley with her family to watch the newborns for fourteen years, her brother, Brecker, for sixteen, and her sister, Mari, for eleven. They each took turns giving the new foal a name, and today it was her turn.

The sun stretched over the hills, embracing the animals in the warmth of light. The rest of the herd stood a good distance away, their coats glistening different colors like a collection of jewels. A magnificent blood bay horse, the stallion, trotted back and forth as he guarded the mare and foal. His mane and tail danced in a flowing manner, like black silk, as he kept close watch over every movement in the valley, ready to protect and defend. Echo noticed her dad watching the stallion as if entranced; the horse had always had a strange effect on him.

All attention turned to the mare as she licked the small chestnut mass until its fuzzy hair was clean. The foal released a strange squeak, attempting to use its voice for the first time. Echo and her sister looked at each other and giggled. Echo! Mari! their dad whispered as he put a finger from his good hand to his lips as signal to keep quiet; however, a youthful twinkle played in his eyes, betraying his enjoyment of the moment. Their mother’s face beamed as she rested her cheek against her husband’s shoulder, her blond hair brushing his face. She held parchment and a pen, ready to log every detail. Checking the position of the sun, she jotted down the time of birth.

The foal attempted to stand as the mare nickered encouragingly. The tiny new horse made a valiant effort to rise from the ground before collapsing. The mare rubbed its neck affectionately with her soft muzzle. The foal rested for a moment and then slowly forced itself to move. Echo gritted her teeth, feeling the foal’s struggle as if it were her own. As the newborn strained, Echo found herself cheering it on in her mind, wishing it to feel her strength and encouragement. You can do it! Stand up!

With one great heave, the foal was standing on straight but shaking legs set a little too far apart. Wide blinking eyes surveyed the area with wary curiosity. Flecks of brilliant white trailed from its forehead until they converged with a lopsided star on the bridge of its nose, just above the tiny nostrils; its mane and tail, as white and soft as summer clouds, complimented the design. The foal seemed frozen as it stared straight ahead--directly at Echo. A strange excitement washed through her as she gazed back into those glassy eyes. It was a simple, beautiful moment. She almost felt connected…

The moment was broken as Echo’s dad whispered, Nice straight legs--very strong.

The foal lowered its head and, with great effort, moved its legs until it had turned a complete circle. It was a filly. As she turned again, the sunlight reflected strangely on the filly’s back, causing Echo to gasp. She swore, just for a moment, she saw a small set of shimmering wings sprouting from the foal’s back. But it was gone in an instant. It must’ve been a trick of the light, she thought.

The filly made its way to the nickering mare and began to nurse. As the life-giving liquid strengthened the young horse, Echo’s dad turned to her and whispered, Well, it’s your turn, Echo. What will you name her?

She didn’t even give it a thought. Shimmer, she said.

Echo’s brother snorted, Shimmer? That’s about the dumbest name I ever heard! Why not ‘Gold Star’ or ‘Morning Comet’ or…

Brecker! their mother scolded quietly. Brecker shrugged and shook his black hair.

Feeling unusually firm about her decision, Echo looked into Brecker’s face. Her name is Shimmer.

Echo and her family weren’t the only ones watching the morning miracle. Behind them, a curious being melded with the trees, observing every detail; and, opposite from where they stood, a strange shadow lurked among the crags at the border of the Diern Badlands--a shadow with bright orange, all-seeing eyes.

Chapter 2

Two Years Later

Echo cursed herself for not paying attention to her surroundings while she could still see. With her fingers, she pressed the soft, earth-colored cloth that blindfolded her eyes, causing shocks of colorful designs to disrupt the oppressive blackness. She trembled as she leaned against a spongy trunk of a canopy tree, the tangy scent of the tree’s oblong white fruit teasing her nostrils. Sound flooded her ears as birds and insects sang, buzzed, and chirped noisily around and above her. Her soft green, light-weight shirt stuck to her back where droplets of sweat had formed.

The voice of the elvish instructor, Dorian, reverberated through Echo’s mind, Use every sense in your possession to identify and confront an opponent—every sense except sight. If you encounter a shadow dweller, chances are you could be fighting in darkness. Even though some shadow dwellers took on more solid forms, many were as their name implied--shadows. Echo’s stomach knotted at the thought of confronting a shadow dweller. She hated darkness and the things that lurked in it. How could anyone ever fight a shadow anyway?

The sixteen-year old strained her ears for any unusual sounds. Other than the incessant bird song, she heard nothing but the fingers of the wind combing through the thick, mushroom-like canopy of leaves and branches overhead.

The rhythm of Echo’s heart increased as a foul scent insulted her nostrils. And--she caught and held her breath--footsteps! She quickly but silently released her breath, remembering Dorian’s warning, Never hold your breath in tense situations. You might forget to breathe again and lose consciousness.

Tightening her grip around a short, wooden staff, Echo attempted to calm herself and pay attention. The footsteps were barely noticeable, but closer now. Her heart sent electric pulses through her veins and her muscles tensed.

Echo yelled suddenly and thrust her staff into her opponent. From the sound of the shouting voice, she determined her adversary was male.

Sorry! Echo shouted and then felt a hard jab to her ribs. Gasping, she doubled over, but raised her staff in time to block the next blow. With catlike reflexes, she made three more solid connections with her staff.

Sorry! Sorry! Oh, sorry! she apologized with every hit.

Echo thought she heard a whisper of a laugh and then--nothing. A tickling sensation rippled down her spine as vulnerability washed over her. She jerked around at the sound of a bird fluttering in the branches. Her heart pounded in her ears, dulling her sense of hearing. The pungent scent was still there, though. Her adversary remained close, and she remained blind. Panic reared in her chest, pounding its sharp hooves against her heart. I can’t do this!

Suddenly, Echo’s legs flew out from beneath her, and her back slammed into the ground, knocking the wind out of her. Some type of cold, hard weapon pressed against her chest.

Too slow! You’re dead, human! the cocky voice of an elf danced over Echo’s face.

Before Echo could react, the weight of her adversary suddenly lifted from her body, accompanied by a growl she recognized as her brother’s. Breathing heavily, Echo removed the scarf from her green eyes.

Brecker was still blind folded, but seemed to hear every movement as he kept his staff pointed directly at the elf that had sparred with Echo; the elf, Thalen, who was also Brecker’s friend, wore the hide of a vonima beast--a hideous, smelly, buffalo-like creature. Echo shuffled against the dirt as she scrambled to a standing position. Stay back, Echo! I’ll take care of this, Brecker stated.

Feeling her cheeks redden, Echo muttered through clenched teeth. I didn’t need your help.

Brecker was completely focused on the elf. With blindfold still intact, he sparred with his adversary for several minutes. In spite of her anger, Echo couldn’t help but admire her brother’s crisp movements. He never missed a beat, and the recently over-confident elf struggled to keep him at bay.

Before Brecker could finish his assault, Dorian appeared with Echo’s elf friend, Alena, and halted the exercise. Alena looked as if she’d been bruised on the arm by Brecker’s staff. He must’ve sparred with her before coming to Echo’s rescue.

After Dorian halted the exercise, Brecker removed the scarf from his sweating face, ruffling his short, onyx hair and revealing a scowl directed at Echo. You won’t ever be able to do this if you’re afraid to cause pain, Echo!

She cast her gaze to the ground, ashamed and irritated with herself. She’d failed another important test. She couldn’t help it, though. Echo wanted to become a defender to stop others from causing pain. It just felt wrong for her to inflict pain on others.

As if reading her thoughts, Brecker continued, If you don’t cause the enemy pain, they’ll be more than happy to dish it out to you. I can’t always protect you. His tanned face softened as he put his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her. She knew he meant well, but irritation tapped Echo’s shoulder under her brother’s touch. She wished his opinion didn’t affect her so much. You have some amazing skills when it comes to training. I’ve seen you fight impressively. But if you don’t get over this softness, you’ll never make a great defender.

Observe the trees, Dorian’s gentle voice interrupted. With his continuous, contagious smile, their elf instructor was always ready with a lesson. He gazed at them with reflective eyes set on a thin, young-looking face with high cheek bones and arched brows; his hair was shorter than most of the male elves, but was still long enough to occasionally fall in his face and to curl from behind his pointed ears and long neck. The smooth color of his hair and sparkling eyes reminded Echo of melted chocolate. His long, lean frame was distinctively elf. No human would ever be as graceful.

Something pliable is able to endure much more resistance than something hard and brittle. These trees, Dorian gestured with his hands and everyone gazed up at the umbrellas of the canopy trees, have weathered centuries of terrible windstorms and other hardships because their trunks are soft and flexible, and their roots run deep. He smiled warmly at Echo, causing his thin brows to arch higher on his forehead. Learn to use pliability to your advantage, and you will be unbreakable.

Echo felt her spirits rise, in spite of the disgruntled look on her brother’s face. She would prove to Brecker, and herself, that she could become a great defender.

Later, as the group strode back into the elf city of Thildin, Echo’s younger sister, Mari, waved cheerily to them from the same stone path Echo and Brecker had raced over earlier that morning. She quickly stopped waving so her right hand could help balance the usual stack of books she carried in the crook of her left arm.

Echo smiled as Brecker affectionately whispered a teasing, Here comes the walking library! Mari walked through the elf city, its sand-stone pillars solid and polished from centuries of weather and articulately formed by the skilled hands of the elf architects; the pillars seemed alive as birds and butterflies fluttered in, out, and around creeping vines that embraced them. Simple but beautiful fountains sparkled cheerily, making music of their own design. The sun shot beams of light through the trees, illuminating the city with a warm glow. Elves of every age smiled and nodded at them as they passed.

As the group approached, Mari asked, How was your training session? Were you late? I heard Dad talking to you this morning. Do you think Mom heard? A mischievous gleam shone in her light brown eyes.

Their dad had confronted Echo and Brecker in the hall that morning. They’d been sneaking out during insanely early hours to defender-train with the elves. Another early morning? he’d said, nearly causing the two teens heart failure. Then he’d chuckled, a sound as refreshing as water rolling over rounded pebbles, and spoke of one of the strange devices from the Other World where he’d been raised, I wish I had a camera! You should see your expressions!

Look Dad, we just… Brecker began, but lost his words--something very uncharacteristic of him.

Oran shook his salted dark hair and said, You don’t have to say anything. Just don’t treat me like I’m stupid, okay? He’d turned to retrace his path to the upper level of their home before he stopped and turned to them again. You’d better get going. Dorian will be waiting. He’d pointed a finger at each of them in turn, Just don’t be late for chores. And, be careful, Brecker, he’d said firmly, focusing his attention on his only son. I’m counting on you to look after your sister. I don’t want anyone getting hurt--and I don’t want to have to explain things to your mother just yet.

Echo knew her mother, Kiani, didn’t completely trust the elves. Aside from fearing their unusual magical gifts, the human villagers felt the elves hadn’t come to their aid when they’d needed it in the past. Many believed the elves would someday use their knowledge and skills to take over the village where Kiani had been born and raised. Echo disagreed.

On top of her mistrust of the elves, Kiani wasn’t fond of the dangers of defending. Her father owned the inn at one of the three villages that formed a crescent along the western edge of Thildin Valley. She’d heard countless stories of defenders dying in battle. Sadly, the one defender’s story Kiani could never forget was her brother’s. He’d died fighting a sorcerer.

Bringing her mind to the present and ignoring Mari’s questions, Echo asked her, So when are you going to join us? Shae Vale could always use more defenders.

Brecker shook his head, half smiling. You know you’re fighting a losing battle.

Echo shrugged and looked expectantly at her sister for an answer. Mari pursed her full lips into a thin line before answering, Why would I want to waste my time hitting and stabbing things? Discussing things in a civil manner would be much more productive. She flipped back her long, dark blonde hair as if to emphasize her point.

Sorry, Mari, but as much as I would like to agree with you, most beings lack the intelligence to discuss anything in a civilized way. Physical aggression is the only thing they understand, Brecker commented.

Well, that explains why you enjoy physical aggression so much, Mari stated, giving her brother a wide smile. Echo laughed, admiring her sister’s sharp wit. Brecker looked unhappy.

The rest of the morning was filled with lessons on elvish writing, music, and history. Their instruction was another of the elves’ show of gratitude--their father had been promised that his offspring would be brought up to know more about the elves than most humans.

Echo found the history lessons intriguing. Dorian did his best to touch on all the history of Shae Vale, their world. Subjects ranged from the first dragon sightings to the Doon Wars to the fall of the great elf king, Elrohir, and to the rise of the evil sorceress, Degus. She was the main inspiration for Echo and Brecker’s decision to become defenders. Polluting the lands, water supplies, and the minds of the inhabitants of Shae Vale, Degus was powerful and full of darkness. The effects of her work had seeped into the Thildin valley, corrupting the once good people of the tri-villages and causing darkness and mistrust to flourish. She was also blamed for the increased attacks by shadow dwellers; kelpies, hags, doons, water wraiths, and other frightening creatures that lived in physical or spiritual darkness—or both—and preyed on the weaknesses of others.

Brecker was reading a weathered scroll intently. He raised his head, setting his eyes on Dorian thoughtfully. History seems to repeat itself a lot, he said.

Dorian replied, History can be similar to the moon cycle or the rising and setting of the sun; what once occurred can very well occur again. There must be a balance of dark times and of light times.

So, all the bad things that have happened will happen again? Brecker waved at the parchment and shook his head. The shadow dwellers were defeated but King Elrohir’s cousin Lagos, who was an evil sorcerer, rose up. Then Lagos was defeated, only to be replaced by an even more formidable foe, Degus.

Dorian smiled, You have good insight, Brecker. But you have overlooked the positive. The past also gives hope for the future, Dorian said.

How do you mean? Echo asked to the furious sound of her sister’s pen capturing every word on parchment.

Just as Elrohir’s cousin was defeated in his time, Degus will eventually meet her own demise. And, like the moon cycle, there will be a time of light after the darkness.

Brecker asked, But, if history keeps repeating itself, won’t she just be replaced by some other dark force? Isn’t there some way to stop this mad cycle? Why can’t we stop it if we know it’s going to happen? His face was set and ready for a debate.

Dorian was thoughtful for a few seconds before answering, Those are excellent questions. Let me respond by asking you a few questions of my own. Can you stop the moon, even though you know it will reach a time of darkness? He looked at each of them in turn and continued, Can you foretell who will be the next villain? Will you be able to predict when that villain will decide to make his move? There may be a time of peace, a time of light, when Degus is gone. It could be a hundred years before the next villain arises.

Dorian’s face sobered as he gazed into Brecker’s eyes. Who is to say what may drive someone to become evil? Most darkened souls were not always that way. Many were led into the darkness by lies and temptations. Once good folk, for whatever reasons, become entangled with forces beyond their ability to resist. Anyone can become evil as all have darkness within them. Predicting who will choose to become evil is a gift not even our most insightful watchers possess.

Well, I would think weeding out those who steal, murder, and live in the shadows would eliminate several of the greatest candidates, Brecker commented. Why not take the filth from the world while taking the next greatest villain out at the same time?

Brecker! Mari scolded. She looked at her brother as she stated passionately, Not everyone who steals or murders is evil. Sometimes they’re caught in circumstances beyond their control. Sometimes, they’re just lost and alone. Sometimes they just need someone to care about them, to love them, someone to understand them.

Brecker rolled his eyes, Oh, please! Let me get my violin! I swear, Mari, you’re softer than Echo! You won’t be able to save anyone with books and talking.

Echo’s blood burned her veins at her brother’s insensitivity. Before Mari cast her eyes to her paper, Echo could see tears forming. Turning to Brecker, she said quietly, Not everyone is evil, Brecker. Some people are just stuck in bad situations.

Brecker’s laugh insulted her emotions. "Don’t be such an adanian," he said, using the slur for someone with the mind of an infant.

"You rhether, Mari hissed back another insulting elvish name meaning monster".

Stop! Dorian stated quietly, but with such powerful firmness, they all jumped. One thing is certain, a family divided cannot stand as strongly as one united. We will discuss this at another time when you are all willing to do so in a mature manner.

He looked out at the sun and then at the teens. His expression resumed its usual brightness. I have been granted permission by your parents and my elders to accompany you to the village of Ulway. Mari, what is the human name for this village? Dorian questioned, smiling warmly at Mari.

Mari looked up, blinked back her tears, and returned Dorian’s smile. Twilight, she stated softly, her eyes shining.

Right you are! Very good, Mari. Dorian gave her a wink, causing her cheeks to flame, and then continued, Perhaps we will dine at your grandfather’s inn, if he’ll have me.

Later, they trotted their horses on the road leading toward Ulway in the brightness of the late morning. Echo’s mind raced with a million come-backs she should’ve used against Brecker earlier. But the beauty of the day slowly dissolved such thoughts, and she soon found herself smiling.

Their steeds were fine horses, but didn’t compare with the ones Echo’s dad tended. Echo’s mount, a delicate dappled grey, nickered as the trees around Thildin opened to the valley ahead of them. Echo’s smile widened at the scene as she breathed deeply and stretched; after the closeness of the trees, the openness was welcomed.

Emerald grass rippled as the breeze tickled the belly of Thildin Valley where the elves’ special herd grazed during the day. The green was interrupted occasionally by contrasting sand-stone formations, their earthen tones glowing golden in the sunlight. Next to them, a sparkling river, Wyrra, or New Memory, gurgled cheerfully over rounded stones; dragon flies and pixies zipped playfully over the water and among the delicate silver blossoms of the curatrees—trees that looked as if giant oaks had been shrunk to three feet; the trees’ rare and precious sap could cure almost any injury.

Ahead in the distance beyond the valley, the buildings of Ulway could be seen; their walls were made from various colored, rounded stones from the river. The river also provided stones for the buildings in the village, Silmah, or Starlight, which rested on the southern edge of the valley. And, to the north, the river, Wynia, or New Life, provided similar stones for the village, Auri, or Sunlight. The two rivers converged at Ulway, making that village a center of commerce and a place of rest for weary travelers--including defenders.

Several heads lifted and shrill neighs echoed as the elven horses sounded their greetings from the valley. Echo’s heart leapt at the sight of Shimmer. It had been two years since she’d been born, and Echo had made a point of spending as much of that time as possible with her horse. She’d assisted her dad in Shimmer’s training, which was still incomplete. These special horses were never used for mundane riding. In fact, she wasn’t entirely sure what their purpose was.

Echo felt Shimmer’s excitement as the horse reared, neighed, and cantered up to them, her flaxen mane and tail dancing behind her like milky flames. Her coat shone in the sun like pure gold. Shimmer had grown tall, and her muscular, graceful form helped her move as smoothly as a sun beam across the earth. Her large eyes were bright with excitement and curiosity as she sidled up to them.

Echo laughed as Shimmer shoved affectionately against her leg with her delicate head. Watch it! You’ll knock me off! She stroked Shimmer’s silk-smooth forehead, resisting the urge to leap onto the horse’s back and soar across the ground at lightning speed. She pulled her gaze away from her equine companion and surveyed the rest of the herd. In her opinion, none of them compared to Shimmer.

Brecker released a sharp whistle, calling the horse he claimed as his. He’d named the colt at its birth the year before Shimmer was born. A fiery creature, both in color and personality, Midnight Sun was Brecker’s joy. He’d named the horse after it’d been born at the very strike of midnight; but under the bright full moon, his coat had shone fiery like the sun. Brecker was very proud of the