Season of the Blue Star Read online

  It was on the third day that your father found what he was seeking. Close to the mountains the land becomes less flat as the ground naturally undulates, creating long shallow valleys rising to narrow hilltops. On foot now, Quaid led his horse up one of the hills, and from the ridgeline he spotted about forty horses peacefully grazing below. Quaid, ensuring he was down-wind so as not to give himself away, moved in for a closer look. He would not usually have been so cautious around wild horses, especially as he recognised this herd, but there was something different here. He felt it deep within, a nervousness he could not explain.

  Quaid lay close to the ground, concealed in the tall grasses, watching for a long time as the herd grazed contentedly, unaware of his presence. After a time Quaid began to doubt himself and wondered if his reservations were misplaced. He could see nothing out of the ordinary and began to see no reason why he should not ride down for a closer look, when suddenly he heard a thunderous boom, which froze him where he lay and sent his horse fleeing in the opposite direction. The sound wave echoed off the mountains and resonated in his ears. To his complete surprise, however, the herd seemed untroubled by the noise and continued to graze.

  Then in the distance Quaid saw the unmistakable figure of a horse galloping in his direction. He immediately saw how fast the animal moved and it quickly covered a huge distance. As it reached the herd the stallion pounded its front legs into the ground, sending jagged columns of rock jutting out of the soil. A huge bang, louder than before, followed instantaneously. The sound wave echoed again off the mountains and Quaid felt as though thunder was exploding all around him. This time the herd was noticeably disturbed but it was clear the horses were used to this behaviour. Quaid knew at once he was witnessing a Hybridia.

  He felt an overwhelming urge to approach this animal, as if his thoughts and movements were not under his control. He slowly stood up and began to walk down the gentle slope. When the herd saw him they began to move away, yet the grey stood firm. Quaid kept his head lowered and eyes away from the horse, as he knew looking at the horse was threatening behaviour. As he got closer he sensed the tremendous power of the animal. The air around seemed charged with energy and every fibre of his being felt as though it were on fire. Your father was skilled in the art of horse husbandry, and had trained wild horses from that very herd before. He spent most of the day there, employing all of his skills to build trust with the animal. Finally the horse lowered his head and approached him. Quaid placed his hand on the horse and a surge of energy passed through him, creating an immediate and permanent bond between the two.

  Quaid spent another two days and nights on the Lundar Plains training the Hybridia he had named Tremor. The young horse had supreme intelligence, and training him was not a difficult task, except when Tremor would occasionally unleash his considerable powers.

  When Quaid returned he was tired but extremely pleased with his achievement. I had never before seen such a creature. No more than a year old, he was more powerfully built than any horse of similar breed. His coat was the brightest grey, almost white, and from a distance that is how he appeared. What was astonishing for a horse of that colour was his dark brown mane and jade-coloured eyes. The horse was infused with the power of the earth and it was as if his body shimmered with that energy. His eyes, especially, told of his uniqueness. They were bright green, full of life, and these, more than anything else gave a sense of the spirit within. Tremor had the ability to shatter rock and stone with a touch. By pounding his feet he could create localised earthquakes that would knock a man off his feet. He was considerably faster than even the quickest horse in my stables and Quaid learned new skills and discovered new talents every day.

  Word spread quickly and within a month your father was made a Storm Scout, the first ever from Greywood. I saw Tremor develop into an incredible horse but Quaid's Storm Scout duties meant that they were often away, so I did not see them as much I would have liked. It is something I always regret, for a little over three years later the Iron Wars took them both away for good.

  The wind rose up and set the arbour alive as the immense canopies rocked to and fro, returning Kyy to his senses. He did not feel the gale directly as he was protected by the vast forest and he stood amidst the undergrowth, suddenly absorbed by the rustling of leaves overhead. It sounded as if an ocean was sending its waves crashing in around him. Kyy revelled in this sensation. He loved when nature sparked his senses so much that he was overcome and lost in the moment. This sensation lasted only a few seconds and soon the wind died down, bringing with it the stillness and peace of an ancient wilderness. The winds that seemed to signal change faded out. Now the only noises, apart from his own gentle footfalls, were the calls of insects and birds which blended and faded into the background helping to create the ambiance of the forest. Kyy realized that he had allowed himself to stray considerably from the forest road.

  Ever since he was a child he had been drawn to the forest lake which now lay just beyond the tightly packed trees ahead. Wildflowers carpeted the forest floor until they melted into the trees that ringed the lake. He hadn't planned to visit the lake on this journey but knew that this diversion would not cost him too much time. He would still be able to reach the stables by nightfall. Akura Lake was a beautiful secluded area that Kyy visited often throughout his life. He had a deep reverence for this place and had spent much time staring into the cool waters that reflected the colours of the world so perfectly. The trees of Greywood grew right up to the edge of the lake, and surrounded it, creating a natural amphitheatre of wood and water. The lake was fed by an underground spring and was on high ground compared to the majority of Greywood. The river that carried the water away from the Akura Lake was born out of a waterfall narrow and high, a hundred feet above the lower forest. From this gap where the river began Kyy could see over the treetops of Greywood once he arrived at Akura Lake. An ocean of leaves and life flowed and interacted with effortless complexity and almost infinite abundance. Such a huge ecosystem exalted nature's brilliance. Animal and plant life synced so closely that their energies merged, separated and merged again just out of the eyes' comprehension. The creatures of Greywood thrived in the dense forest; their range and diversity was quite staggering and the complexity of their interdependence astonishing. Some of the grey leviathans seem to touch the sky and the sea of patchwork green stretched to the horizon. All this splendour welcomed Kyy as he sat by the lake, took off his boots and bathed his feet in the waters. Dragonflies zoomed and darted across the clear water chasing down prey, as the sunlight reflected off their slim bodies in deep greens and blues. All along the edge overhanging branches reached out to the water, touching it in places. The forest was also reflected in the lake and at times the surface would resemble a giant mirror until it was disturbed briefly by the fish coming to the surface. Here the sun was free to shine, no longer obscured by the dense forest all around and it felt warm and pleasant on Kyy's face. The lakeside was alive with the energy of so many living things and vibrant with colour and spirit. In this setting Kyy could easily imagine that a dragon could appear again from the lake as it had done when he was a young boy. It had been this experience that drew him now to this place and had done throughout his life. As he sat touching the crystal blue water, gently letting the ripples emanate from his fingers. This place, now more than ever, felt like home and it was here more than anywhere else that his spirit could rest. He took deep cleansing breaths and like the gentle waves of a calm ocean, with each breath peace washed over him.

  Because it had happened so early in his development it was now difficult for Kyy to remember what he was like before he had encountered the dragon. The abilities he acquired felt as if they had always been part of him and it troubled him sometimes that people did not see things as he did. This resulted in Kyy feeling isolated and slightly out of place in his community. He possessed a heightened sense of nature, an ability to perceive the energy that flows freely and constantly through the natural world with a flue
ncy and complexity that was quite staggering. The spirits' influence bound him to the earth in such a tangible way that he felt it like a second skin. His experience with the dragon had shown to him an alternate reality, a world of pure love and energy as valid and real as the one he lived in. Kyy could not immerse himself fully in this world for long, but it seemed that when he faded back from the Realm of the Spirit many bridges of light stretched out to bind one world to the next, creating a permanent link between them. Now when Kyy experienced things in the physical world he also gained a strong sense of their spirit and energy. His body felt more connected to the earth; he was a direct extension of it and moving through the forest and even through the water became much easier after his encounter with the dragon. He wondered if the dragon had awoken an inherent ability in him, or if it had bestowed it fully as a gift. As Kyy sat there contemplating such things he became conscious of the sun's course through the sky. He was behind schedule and the need to get moving was made even more pressing due to the change he could see in the weather. From his vantage point he could see the clouds gathering on the horizon, a tempestuous mass growing in shade and vigour. Already the distant trees were consumed in darkness and the plains and entire forest would soon be under a heavy shadow. The temperature had dropped slightly and the wind picked up. It was still pleasant by the lake but Kyy knew he would be lucky to reach his grandfather's house before the storm that was now brewing and had seemed to come out of nowhere reached him. He did not mind being out in such conditions for a short time but he was aware that his grandfather would be worried and he had enough to concern him without adding a lost grandson to the list. Kyy, continued his journey in haste.

  Chapter 2

  Storms

  "It is in the darkness that one finds the light."

  -Meister Eckhart

  A BRILLIANT FLASH OF sheet lightning cast the darkening forest in brilliant light for an instant. Massive trunks and abundant scrub reflected the storm's first volley so briefly that it seemed unreal. Kyy, still making his way through the giant trees, was almost at the forest's edge and would soon be out and exposed on the upper plains beyond Greywood. The sun had at last fallen from its golden throne to the west, and the evening was darker than normal. The atmosphere was now governed by the storm that was sweeping in from the mountains.

  Kyy loved watching storms. He loved their power and mystery and how the world changed so completely when they occurred. Kyy focused on one of nature's most dazzling displays, as the forest fell away to fully reveal the spectacular sky over the Lundar Plains. It was if a great battle was being fought in the sky, the dark vanguard of the storm probing the still bright sky of the west for weakness. Twisted black shapes extended like sky bound blades, cutting into the lighter clouds. They in turn would fight against the encroaching storm. The retreating sun's last defenses swirled around the dark clouds, diluting their intensity so that at the battle's edge the distinction between dark and light was no longer apparent. All shades intertwined in a beautiful dance indistinguishable from one another, creating patterns so varied and spectacular that one could stare at the scene for a hundred years and still see new and wonderful images.

  Having such a view made the distance underfoot melt away, and without realizing it, Kyy had covered a large amount of ground. With the evening dew now heavy on the grass, the tall stems shimmered in silver and in many shades of green. The grasses moved like an ocean in the ever-increasing breeze, catching the last of the light as mesmerizing wave patterns danced across the plains. Kyy's summer boots and trousers quickly became soaked by the knee-length grass. The road would have been a more comfortable path, but a longer one, and Kyy was eager to reach the stables. As he reached the top of a small hill, the Thoria Stables came into view.

  The roof of the large barn appeared first; it would be empty now, awaiting the hay that would be stored there over the winter. The stables stood to the right of the barn and housed the horses which had made Ealdar so well respected. The farmhouse was of similar height to the stables and stood across the courtyard. It was the oldest building on the farm, having stood for over a hundred years, but the craftsmanship was such that the house showed no signs of disrepair. The lantern on the porch was lit, as were the ones in the yard and stables. It was comforting for Kyy to look upon this place. On his return a warm sense of happiness spread through him like the heat from a fire.

  The lights from the farmyard shone in complete contrast to the sky. The darkness now prevailed entirely and the storm hung above the farm like an ominous beast waiting to unleash its fury upon the land. As Kyy climbed the wooden fence and touched softly down on the other side the rain began. It was as if a key which opened the dark clouds had been turned, and sheets of heavy rain cascaded down. Within seconds Kyy was utterly soaked, despite running the remaining distance to the house. He bounded up the steps to the shelter of the porch and turned to look out into the midst of the storm. This was only the edge of the weather front and already the rain was torrential. The wind had picked up considerably, racking the buildings and sending the mist from the rain swirling so that visibility was quite poor. Kyy composed himself before knocking gently and entering.

  Ealdar stood by the stove and smiled as his weather-beaten grandson entered. His wolfhound, Rumble, lay by the fire and pricked his ears as the heavy wooden door creaked open. He had been restrained up until this point by his master but when Kyy entered, the shaggy grey dog bounded over to him.

  Ealdar was wearing a long leather coat speckled with raindrops and quickly drying rivulets; his grandfather had no doubt been out checking the horses. The coat sat upon broad shoulders and he exuded a strength and confidence that immediately reassured Kyy. His complexion and dark hair defied his years. His face appeared chiseled rather than wrinkled, and although he was fairer than Kyy, an active lifetime working outdoors with horses certainly contributed to his comparatively youthful yet rugged appearance.

  'So you finally made it. I suppose you stopped off at the lake?' asked Ealdar rhetorically.

  Kyy nodded, wondering for a moment if his grandfather was annoyed with his diversion. He petted the dog roughly.

  'Ah, I knew you would. That place is a part of you, but you needn't have jumped in.'

  Kyy looked at himself and they both started to laugh.

  'How are you my boy? I've missed you.'

  'Me too.' Kyy answered as his grandfather embraced him.

  'We have a busy time ahead and the storm will do us no favours this night.'

  'How is Ashka?' asked Kyy.

  'The storm has made her a little nervous but she is strong. Your foal will arrive shortly. Let us go to her.'

  Kyy quickly changed into a long coat and new waterproof boots that Ealdar gave him and they went out to the stables. Rumble, content in the heat of the kitchen, remained by the fire.

  One of the reasons Kyy had made this journey at this time was to be at the farm for the arrival of the new foal that would be his. Ealdar wanted him to be involved from the beginning and to be present for all aspects of the horse's upbringing. It was both the quality of horse and Ealdar's training that made his horses among the very best in Calbura. Ashka was the only foal sired by Tremor before Quaid left Greywood.

  Ealdar and Kyy made their way quickly across the yard to the stables. All the horses were housed comfortably but, despite this, they were all agitated by the sounds of the storm. Ashka was in the largest stall. She was at the end of the stables, beside the back entrance that opened into the paddock. Past the paddock was the large grassland area where the horses could graze and be trained. A high wooden fence surrounded the entire grazing area. It protected the horses from thieves, wolves, or any other predator that occasionally would pass close to the stables.

  To Kyy, Ashka looked in excellent condition. She had inherited the colouration of her father; a beautiful light grey coat with dark brown mane and tail. Kyy very much liked the idea of having his own white horse just like his father. It would be somehow comfo
rting to create another common bond between them.

  Kyy had first learned to ride on Ashka. Unlike Tremor, she was of a calm and gentle temperament. She possessed none of Tremor's powers, as is the way with all Hybridia offspring. The legacy of the chosen is that they fortify their species with intelligence and strength which is passed down from one generation to another, but their powers are an anomaly entirely restricted to Hybridia themselves.

  It was raining as heavily as ever outside; the rain pounded the stable roof and the lightning was flashing even more frequently. Ashka was uneasy at first, but Kyy sensed her become calmer once Ealdar entered the stall. Just then a massive crash of thunder exploded all around. The deafening noise shook the air and seemed to resonate within every worldly particle. Kyy's ears rang and the horses were spooked and distressed. But in the chaos Kyy felt something calling out, a presence that lingered within the thunder's aftermath. It faded as the thunder clap rolled away, but left a strangely familiar sensation in Kyy. An inexplicable warmness occupied his core, but at the same time left him feeling utterly dazed.

  Ashka reared up with the initial blast and before the sound died away was pounding her feet on the stable floor, disturbing the freshly laid hay. Ealdar immediately placed his hands on her forehead and began to stroke her side gently to calm her down. Kyy, who was standing with a look of wonderment on his face, quickly came to his senses and joined his grandfather in calming the agitated mare. Kyy's touch seemed to have a positive effect on Ashka. The tension in her muscles eased and, despite the ever-present storm, she was eminently more relaxed. The other horses, however, were very distressed as the frequency of the lightning increased. Although not as powerful as the initial strike, the thunder was a constant threat to their wellbeing, as it caused them to buck and kick out. Ealdar left the stall to tend the other animals and his voice and touch began to soothe the restless horses. Kyy stood with Ashka, communicating his feelings to her and strengthening the bond of spirit between them.