maggiie stiefvater: the scorpio races

8/13/2019 Maggiie Stiefvater: The Scorpio Races

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THE

SCORPIO

RACES

MAGGIE STIEFVATER


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To Marian,

who sees horses in her dreams


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Conens

Ti"e Pa#e

$edi%aion

Pro"o#&e' (ine )ears Ear"ier

Cha*er One

Cha*er Two

Cha*er Three

Cha*er Fo&r

Cha*er Fi+e

Cha*er Si

Cha*er Se+en

Cha*er Ei#h

Cha*er (ine

Cha*er Ten

Cha*er E"e+en

Cha*er Twe"+e

Cha*er Thireen

Cha*er Fo&reen

Cha*er Fi-een

Cha*er Sieen

Cha*er Se+eneen

Cha*er Ei#heen

Cha*er (ineeen

Cha*er Twen.

Cha*er Twen./One

Cha*er Twen./Two


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Cha*er Twen./Three

Cha*er Twen./Fo&r

Cha*er Twen./Fi+e

Cha*er Twen./Si

Cha*er Twen./Se+en

Cha*er Twen./Ei#h

Cha*er Twen./(ine

Cha*er Thir.

Cha*er Thir./One

Cha*er Thir./Two

Cha*er Thir./Three

Cha*er Thir./Fo&r

Cha*er Thir./Fi+e

Cha*er Thir./Si

Cha*er Thir./Se+en

Cha*er Thir./Ei#h

Cha*er Thir./(ine

Cha*er For.

Cha*er For./One

Cha*er For./Two

Cha*er For./Three

Cha*er For./Fo&r

Cha*er For./Fi+e

Cha*er For./Si

Cha*er For./Se+en

Cha*er For./Ei#h

Cha*er For./(ine

Cha*er Fi-.

Cha*er Fi-./One


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Cha*er Fi-./Two

Cha*er Fi-./Three

Cha*er Fi-./Fo&r

Cha*er Fi-./Fi+e

Cha*er Fi-./Si

Cha*er Fi-./Se+en

Cha*er Fi-./Ei#h

Cha*er Fi-./(ine

Cha*er Si.

Cha*er Si./One

Cha*er Si./Two

Cha*er Si./Three

Cha*er Si./Fo&r

Cha*er Si./Fi+e

Cha*er Si./Si

A&hor0s (oe

A%1now"ed#mens

A2o& he A&hor

Co*.ri#h


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PRO3OG4E'(I(E )EARS EAR3IER


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SEA(

I is he -irs da. o- (o+em2er and so, oda., someonewi"" die5

E+en &nder he 2ri#hes s&n, he -ri#id a&&mn sea is a"" he %o"ors o- he ni#h' dar1 2"&e and

2"a%1 and 2rown5 I wa%h he e+er/%han#in# *aerns in he sand as i0s *&mme"ed 2. %o&n"ess

hoo+es5

The. r&n he horses on he 2ea%h, a *a"e road 2eween he 2"a%1 waer and he %ha"1 %"i--s5 I is

ne+er sa-e, 2& i0s ne+er so dan#ero&s as oda., ra%e da.5

This ime o- .ear, I "i+e and 2reahe he 2ea%h5 M. %hee1s -ee" raw wih hewind hrowin# sand

a#ains hem5 M. hi#hs sin# -rom he -ri%ion o- he sadd"e5 M. arms a%he -rom ho"din# &*wo ho&sand *o&nds o- horse5 I ha+e -or#oen wha i is "i1e o 2e warm and wha a -&""

ni#h0s s"ee* -ee"s "i1e and wham. name so&nds "i1e s*o1en insead o- sho&ed a%ross .ards o-

sand5

I am so, so a"i+e5

As I head down o he %"i--s wih m. -aher, one o- he ra%e o--i%ia"s so*s me5 He sa.s, 6Sean

7endri%1, .o& are en .ears o"d5 )o& ha+en0 dis%o+ered i .e, 2& here are more ineresin#

wa.s o die han on his 2ea%h58

M. -aher do&2"es 2a%1 and a1es he o--i%ia"0s &**er arm as i- he man were a res"ess horse5The. share a 2rie- e%han#e a2o& a#e resri%ions d&rin# he ra%e5 M. -aher wins5

6I- .o&r son is 1i""ed,8 he o--i%ia" sa.s, 6he on". -a&" is .o&rs58

M. -aher doesn0 e+en answer him, 9&s "eads his &is%e sa""ion awa.5

On he wa. down o he waer, we0re 9os"ed and *&shed 2.men and 2. horses5 I s"ide 2eneah

one horse as i rears &*, is rider 9er1ed a he end o- he "ead5 4nharmed, I -ind m.se"- -a%in#

he sea, s&rro&nded on a"" sides 2. he %a*ai"" &is%e : he waer horses5 The. are e+er. %o"or

o- he *e22"es on he 2ea%h' 2"a%1, red, #o"den, whie, i+or., #ra., 2"&e5 Men han# he 2rid"es

wih red asse"s and daisies o "essen he dan#er o- he dar1 (o+em2er sea, 2& I wo&"dn0 r&sa hand-&" o- *ea"s o sa+e m. "i-e5 3as .ear a waer horse rai"in# -"owers and 2e""s ore a

man0s arm ha"- -rom his 2od.5

These are no ordinar. horses5 $ra*e hem wih %harms, hide hem -rom he sea, 2& oda., on

he 2ea%h' $o no &rn .o&r 2a%15

Some o- he horses ha+e "ahered5 Froh dri*s down heir "i*s and %hess, "oo1in# "i1e sea -oam,

hidin# he eeh ha wi"" ear inomen "aer5

The. are 2ea&i-&" and dead"., "o+in# &s and hain# &s5

M. -aher sends me o-- o #e his sadd"e%"oh and arm2and -rom anoher se o- o--i%ia"s5 The

%o"or o- he %"oh is mean o a""ow he s*e%aors -ar &* on he %"i--s o ideni-. m. -aher, 2&


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in his %ase, he. won0 need i, no wih his sa""ion0s 2ri""ian red %oa5

6Ah, 7endri%1,8 he o--i%ia"s sa., whi%h is 2oh m. -aher0s name and mine5 6I0"" 2e a red %"oh

-or him58

As I re&rn o m. -aher, I am hai"ed 2. a rider' 6Ho, Sean 7endri%158 He0s dimin&i+e and wir.,

his -a%e %ar+ed o& o- ro%15 6Fine da. -or i58 I am honored o 2e #reeed "i1e an ad&"5 3i1e I2e"on# here5 ;e nod o ea%h oher 2e-ore he &rns 2a%1 o his horse o -inish sadd"in# &*5 His

sma"" ra%in# sadd"e is hand/oo"ed, and as he "i-s he -"a* o #i+e he #irh a -ina" , I see

words 2&rned ino he "eaher' O&r dead drin1 he sea5

M. hear is 9er1in# inm. %hes as I hand he %"oh om. -aher5 He seems &nse"ed as we"", and

I wish I was ridin#, no him5

M.se"- I am s&re o-5

The red &is%e sa""ion is res"ess and snorin#, ears *ri%1ed, ea#er5 He is +er. ho oda.5 He wi""

2e -as5 Fas and di--i%&" o ho"d5

M. -aher #i+es me he reins so ha he %an sadd"e he waer horse wih he red %"oh5 I "i%1 m.

eeh : he. ase "i1e sa" : and wa%hm. -aher ie he ma%hin# arm2and aro&nd his &**er

arm5 E+er. .ear I ha+e wa%hed him, and e+er. .ear he has ied i wih a sead. hand, 2& no

his .ear5 His -in#ers are %"&ms., and I 1now he is a-raid o- he red sa""ion5

I ha+e ridden him, his %a*a""5 On his 2a%1, hewind 2eain# me, he #ro&nd 9arrin#me, he sea

s*ra.in# o&r "e#s, we ne+er ire5

I "ean %"ose o he sa""ion0s ear and ra%e a %o&ner%"o%1wise %ir%"e a2o+e his e.e as I whis*er

ino his so- ear5

6Sean $oes he no "oo1 h&n#r. o

.o&>$o .o& hin1 .o&0d "oo1 -inewih ha"- a -a%e>8

?& I 9&s "oo1 a he sa""ion0s s=&are *&*i", and he "oo1s 2a%1, his head &rned s"i#h". awa.

-romme5 I ho*e he0s remem2erin# wha I o"d him' $o no ea m. -aher5

M. -aher ma1es a noise in his hroa and sa.s, 6I hin1 .o& sho&"d #o &* now5 Come here and

:8He s"a*s m. sho&"der 2e-oremo&nin# &*5

He is sma"" and dar1 on he 2a%1 o- he red sa""ion5 A"read., his hands wor1 %ease"ess". on hereins o 1ee* he horse in *"a%e5 The moion wiss he 2i in he horse0s mo&h@ I wa%h his

head ro%1in# o and -ro5 I0s no how I wo&"d ha+e done i, 2& I0m no &* here5

I wan o e"" m. -aher o mind how he sa""ion s*oo1s o he ri#h, how I hin1 he sees 2eer

o& o- his "e- e.e, 2& insead I sa., 6See .o& when i0s o+er58 ;e nod o ea%h oher "i1e

sran#ers, he #ood/2.e &n*ra%i%ed and &n%om-ora2"e5

I amwa%hin# he ra%e -rom he %"i--s when a #ra. &is%e horse seies m. -aher 2. his arm and

hen his %hes5

For one momen, he wa+es do no aa%1 he shore and he #&""s a2o+e &s do no -"a* and he#ri. air in m. "&n#s doesn0 es%a*e5


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Then he #ra. waer horse ears m. -aher -rom his &neas. *"a%e on he 2a%1 o- he red sa""ion5

The #ra. %anno 1ee* is ra##ed #ri* on m. -aher0s %hes, and so m. -aher -a""s o he sand,

a"read. r&ined 2e-ore he hoo+es #e o him5 He was in se%ond *"a%e, so i a1es a "on# min&e

2e-ore he res o- he horses ha+e *assed o+er he o* o- his 2od. and I %an see i a#ain5 ?.

hen, he is a "on#, 2"a%1/and/s%ar"e smear ha"-/s&2mer#ed in he -roh. ide5 The red sa""ion

%ir%"es, ha"-wa. o a h&n#r. %rea&re o- he sea, 2& he does as I as1ed' He does no ea hehin# ha was m. -aher5 Insead, he sa""ion %"im2s 2a%1 ino he waer5 (ohin# is as red as

he sea ha da.5

I don0 hin1 o-en on m. -aher0s 2od. sr&n# o& hroh he reddenin# s&r-5 Insead, I

remem2er him as hewas 2e-ore he ra%e' a-raid5

I won0 ma1e he samemisa1e5


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CHAPTER O(E


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P4C7

Peo*"e sa. m. 2rohers wo&"d 2e "os wiho& me, 2& rea""., I0d 2e "os wiho& hem5

4s&a""., i- .o& as1 someone on he is"and where he. %ome -rom, he. sa. somehin# "i1e

Ro&nd a2o& S1armo&h or ?a%1 side o- This2., he hard side or Sone0s hrow -rom Tho""a5

?& no me5 I remem2er 2ein# sma"", %"&%hin# m. -aher0s "ined hand, and some wind/2eaen

o"d -armer who "oo1ed "i1e he0d 2een d o& o- he sod as1in#, 6;here .o& -rom, #ir">8 I

answered, in a +oi%e oo "o&d -or m. in. -re%1"ed se"-, 6The Conno"". Ho&se58 He said, 6;ha0s

ha, now>8 And I re*"ied 2a%1, 6;here we Conno"".s "i+e5 ?e%a&se I0m one58 And hen : I am

si"" a 2i em2arrassed a2o& his *ar o- i, as i s*ea1s o a 2"a%1 *ar o- m. %hara%er : I

added, 6And .o&0re no58

Tha0s 9&s hewa. hin#s are5 There are he Conno"".s, and hen here0s he res o- hewor"d :

hoh he res o- he wor"d, when .o& "i+e on This2., is no +er. "ar#e5 ?e-ore "as -a"", i was

a"wa.s his' me, m. .o&n#er 2roher, Finn, m. o"der 2roher, Ga2e, and o&r *arens5 ;ewere a

*re. =&ie -ami". a"o#eher5 Finn was a"wa.s *&in# hin#s o#eher and a1in# hem 2a%1

a*ar and sa+in# an. s*are *ars in a 2o &nder his 2ed5 Ga2e wasn0 a he %on+ersaiona"is,

eiher5 Si .ears o"der han me, he sa+ed his ener#. -or #rowin#@ he was si -ee a"" 2. he a#e

o- hireen5 O&r dad *"a.ed he in whis"e, when he was home, and o&r moher *er-ormed he

mira%"e o- he "oa+es and -ishes e+er. e+enin#, hoh I didn0 rea"ie wha a mira%"e i was &ni"

shewasn0 aro&nd5

I wasn0 ha we were &n-riend". wih he res o- he is"and5 ;e were 9&s -riend"ier wih

o&rse"+es5 ?ein# a Conno"". %ame -irs5 Tha was he on". r&"e5 )o& %o&"d h&r a"" he -ee"in#s

.o& "i1ed, so "on# as .o& weren0 h&rin# he -ee"in#s o- a Conno"".5

I0s midwa. hroh O%o2er now5 3i1e a"" a&&mn da.s on he is"and, i 2e#ins %o"d 2& warms

and #ains %o"or as he s&n rises5 I #e a %&rr.%om2 and a 2r&sh and I 1no%1 he d&s o& o-

$o+e0s d&n hide &ni" m. -in#ers warm &*5 ?. he ime I sadd"e her &*, she0s %"ean and I0m

#r&22.5 She is m. mare and m. 2es -riend, and I 1ee* waiin# -or somehin# 2ad o ha**en o

her, 2e%a&se I "o+e her oo m&%h5

As I *&"" &* her #irh, $o+e *&shes her nose ino m. side, 9&s sh. o- a ni*, and *&""s her head2a%1 =&i%1".@ she "o+es me, oo5 I %an0 ride "on#@ soon I0"" ha+e o %ome 2a%1 and he"* Finn

ma1e %oo1ies -or he "o%a" sho*s5 I a"so *ain ea*os -or he o&riss, and sin%e he ra%es are

%omin# &*, I ha+e more han enoh orders 2a%1ed &*5 A-er he ra%es, here0"" 2e no more

+isiors -rom he main"and &ni" s*rin#5 The o%ean is 9&s oo &n%erain a hin# when i0s %o"d5

Ga2e wi"" 2e o& a"" da., wor1in# a he S1armo&h Hoe", #ein# he rooms read. -or he ra%e

s*e%aors5 ;hen .o&0re an or*han on This2., i0s hardwor1ma1in# endsmee5

I didn0 a%&a"". rea"ie here wasn0 m&%h o he is"and &ni" a -ew .ears a#o, when I sared

readin# ma#aines5 I doesn0 -ee" i o me, 2& This2.0s in.' -o&r ho&sand *eo*"e on a ro%1.

%ra# 9&in# -rom he sea, ho&rs -rom he main"and5 I0s a"" %"i--s and horses and shee* and one/ra%1 roads windin# *as ree"ess -ie"ds o S1armo&h, he "ar#es own on he is"and5 The r&h

is, &ni" .o& 1now an. di--eren, he is"and is enoh5


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A%&a""., I 1now di--eren5 And i0s si"" enoh5

So I am&* and ridin#, m. oes %o"d inm. s%r&--. *addo%1 2oos, and Finn is siin# in heMorris

in he dri+e, %are-&"". a**".in# 2"a%1 a*e o a ri* in he *assen#er sea5 The ri* was a #i- -rom

P&--in, he 2arn %a5 A "eas Finn has now "earned o ne+er "ea+e he windows ro""ed down5

He0s *reendin# o "oo1 anno.ed wih he re*airs, 2& I %an e"" ha he is a%&a"". %heer-&" o 2e

doin# i5 I is a#ains Finn0s %ode o re+ea" oo m&%h ha**iness5

;hen he sees me ridin# $o+e, Finn #i+es me a -&nn. "oo15 On%e &*on a ime, 2e-ore "as .ear,

ha -&nn. "oo1 wo&"d0+e %han#ed ino a s". smi"e and hen he wo&"d0+e #&nned he en#ine and

wewo&"d0+e ra%ed, me on$o+e, him in he %ar, hoh he was e%hni%a"". oo .o&n# o dri+e5 A

"o oo .o&n#5 I didn0 maer, hoh5 ;ho was #oin# o so* &s> So we wo&"d ra%e, me

hroh -ie"ds, him on he roads5 Firs o he 2ea%h had o ma1e he oher0s 2ed -or a wee15

?&we ha+en0 ra%ed -or near". a .ear5 (o sin%e m.*arens died on he 2oa5

I &rn $o+e awa., ma1in# "i"e %ir%"es in he side .ard5 She0s ea#er and oo 2ris1 o %on%enrae

his mornin#, and I0m oo %o"d o ma1e her so- and ro&nd on he 2i5 She wans o #a""o*5

I hear he Morris0s en#ine re+5 I &rn in ime o see he %ar #o earin# down he "ane,

a%%om*anied 2. a *&-- o- i""/ad+ised eha&s5 I hear Finn0s whoo* a momen "aer5 He *o1es his

head o& he window, -a%e *a"e &nder his d&s. hair, smi"in# a #rin ha shows e+er. ooh he

has5

6Are .o& waiin# -or an in+iaion>8 he %a""s5 Then he rereas 2a%1 ino he %a2 and he en#ine

re+s hi#h as he shi-s #ears5

6Oh, .o&0re on,8 I e"" him, hoh he is -ar, -ar o& o- earsho5 $o+e0s ears swi+e" 2a%1 oward

me and hen *ri%1 oward he road, =&i+erin#5 I is a wi"d, %oo" mornin#, and she 2are". needso 2e as1ed5 I *ressm. %a"+es ino her sides and %"&%1 m. on#&e5

$o+e "ea*s ino a%ion, hoo+es di##in# &* ha"- %ir%"es o- dir 2ehind her, and we ear a-er Finn5

Finn0s *ah is no m.ser.@ he has o -o""ow he roads, and here0s on". he main one, headin#

ino S1armo&h *as o&r ho&se5 I0s no he srai#hes wa., hoh5 I winds aro&nd *a%hwor1

-ie"ds *roe%ed 2. sone wa""s and hed#es5 There0s no sense -o""owin# his ser*enine *ro#ress,

mar1ed 2. a rai" o- d&s5 Insead, $o+e and I ear a%ross he -ie"ds5 $o+e is no "ar#e : none o-

he na&ra" is"and horses are, as he #rass isn0 #rea : 2& she0s s%o*e. and 2ra+e5 So she and I

hrow o&rse"+es o+er hed#erows awi"", so "on# as he -ooin#0s #ood5

;e sha+e o-- he -irs %orner, s*oo1in# se+era" shee*5 6Sorr.,8 I sa. o hem o+er m. sho&"der5

The ne hed#erow %omes &* whi"e I0m mindin# he shee*, and $o+e has o wis herse"- in a

h&rr. o "a&n%h herse"- o+er5 I hrow o& reins in he wor"d0s wors re"ease 2& a "eas 1ee*

-rom 9er1in# on her mo&h, and she &%1s her "e#s &* i#h 2eneah her and sa+es &s 2oh5 As

she %aners awa. -rom he hed#e, I #aher &* he reins a#ain and *a her sho&"der o show ha

I noi%ed her res%&in# &s, and she i*s her ear 2a%1 o show she a**re%iaes ha I %ared5

Then i0s sai"in# a%ross a -ie"d ha &sed o ho"d shee* 2& now ho"ds s%r&22. heaher waiin# o

2e 2&rned o--5 The Morris is si"" a "i"e ahead o- &s, a dar1 sha*e in -ron o- a ower o- d&s5 I0m

no worried a2o& his "ead@ o #e a %ar down o he 2ea%h, he0"" ha+e o eiher a1e he road

hroh own, wih is shar* ri#h an#"es and %rossin# *edesrians, or ma1e a deo&r aro&ndhe own, "osin# se+era" min&es and #i+in# &s a #ood %han%e o %a%h &*5


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I hear he Morris hesiae a he ro&nda2o& and hen oom oward own5 I %an a1e he road

aro&nd S1armo&h and a+oid an. more 9&m*in# : or I %an s1ir hroh he +er. ed#e o- he

own, *o**in# hroh a -ew 2a%1 #ardens and ris1in# 2ein# seen 2. Ga2e a he hoe"5

I %an a"read. ima#ine 2ein# he -irs o %har#e ono he 2ea%h5

I de%ide o ris1 Ga2e seein# me5 I0s 2een "on# enoh sin%e we did his ha he sod#. o"d"adies %an0 %om*"ain oo m&%h a2o& a horse *assin# hroh heir .ards, as "on# as I don0

s=&ash an.hin# &se-&"5

6Come on, $o+e,8 I whis*er5 She %har#es a%ross he road and hroh a 2rea1 in a hed#erow5

Here here are ho&ses "oo1in# "i1e he. #rew o& o- he ro%1, and %"&ered 2a%1 #ardens -&"" o-

*ossessions ha ha+e s*i""ed o& o- he ho&ses, and on he oher side o- hem, a sre%h o- so"id

sone ha no horse sho&"d ha+e o %aner on5 The on". wa. a%ross is o ear hroh a ha"-/

doen .ards and *as he hoe" on he oher side5

I ho*e ha e+er.one0s 2&si". a wor1 a he *iers or in heir 1i%hens5 ;e 2&rs hroh he

#ardens, ha"- "ea*in# o+er whee"2arrows in he -irs, a+oidin# a %ro* o- her2s in he se%ond, and#ein# 2ar1ed a 2. an e+i" errier in he hird5 Then, ine*"i%a2"., o+er an o"d, em*. 2ah&2 in

he -ina" .ard, andwe0re o-- down he road o he hoe"5

O- %o&rse, here is Ga2e, and he sees me insan".5

He0s swee*in# he wa"1 in -ron o- he hoe" wih a mi#h. *&sh 2room5 The hoe" is a

-or2iddin#, i+./%o+ered 2&i"din# 2ehind him, he "ea+es %& in nea s=&ares o "e he s&n ino

he windows wih heir 2ri#h 2"&e si""s5 The hei#h o- he hoe" 2"o%1s he mornin# "i#h and

%ass a dee*er 2"&e shadow on he sone wa"1 he swee*s5 Ga2e "oo1s a"" and #rown/&* wih

his 2rown 9a%1e sre%hed a%ross his 2road sho&"ders5 His #in#er2"ond hair %ree*s down he

2a%1 o- his ne%1, a "i"e "on#, 2& he is si"" handsome5 I -ee" a s&dden s&r#e o- -ier%e *ride hahe is m. 2roher5 He so*s wha he0s doin# o "ean on he end o- he 2room and wa%h me

%aner 2. on $o+e5

6$on0 2emad


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"oo1s 2a%1 o me, shie"din# his e.es5 I %an see ha his -a%e is worried, so I n&d#e $o+e ne o

he %ar5 I "e o& he reins so ha she %an #rae whi"e we sand here, 2& she doesn0 "ower her

head5 Insead, she, oo, &rns her #ae oward he o%ean, a h&ndred .ards ahead o- &s5

6;ha>8 I as15 I ha+e a si%1 -ee"in# inm. soma%h5

I -o""ow he "ine o- his e.es5 I %an 9&s see a #ra. head hr&sin# is wa. a2o+e he s&r-, so -arawa. and so %"ose o he %o"or o- he ossed o%ean ha I %an a"mos 2e"ie+e I0m ima#inin# i5

?& Finn0s e.es wo&"dn0 2e so "ar#e &n"ess he was %erain5 S&re enoh, he head emer#es

a#ain, and his ime I see dar1 nosri"s 2"ow so wide ha I #"im*se a in#e o- red in hem, e+en

-rom here5 Then he res o- he head -o""ows, and he ne%1, %rim*ed mane *ased o is s1in 2.

sa" waer, and hen he *ower-&" sho&"ders, #"isenin# and dam*5 The waer horse s&r#es -rom

he o%ean and #i+es a mi#h. "ea*, as i- he -ina" se*s o+er he in%omin# ide are a he

o2sa%"e o o+er%ome5

Finn -"in%hes as he horse #a""o*s down he 2ea%h oward &s, and I "a. a hand on his e"2ow,

hoh m. own hear is h&m*in# inm. ears5

6$on0 mo+e,8 I whis*er5 6$on0/mo+e/don0/mo+e/don0/mo+e58

I %"in# o wha we0+e 2een o"d o+er and o+er : ha he waer horses "o+e a mo+in# ar#e@

he. "o+e he %hase5 I ma1e a "is o- reasons i won0 aa%1 &s' ;e0re moion"ess, we0re no

near he waer, we0re ne o he Morris, and he waer horses des*ise iron5

S&re enoh, he waer horse #a""o*s *as &s wiho& *a&se5 I %an see Finn swa""owin#, his

Adam0s a**"e 2o22in# in his s1inn. ne%1, and i0s so r&e, i0s so hard no o -"in%h &ni" i0s "ea*

2a%1 ino he o%ean on%emore5

The.0re here a#ain5

This is wha ha**ens e+er. -a""5 M. *arens didn0 -o""ow he ra%es, 2& I 1now he sha*e o- he

sor. nonehe"ess5 The %"oser i #es o (o+em2er, he more horses he sea s*is o&5 Those

is"anders who mean o ra%e in -&&re S%or*io Ra%es wi"" o-en #o o& in #rea h&nin# *aries o

%a*&re he -resh %a*ai"" &is%e, whi%h is a"wa.s dan#ero&s, sin%e he horses are h&n#r. and si""

sea/mad5 And on%e he new horses emer#e, i0s a si#na" o hose who are ra%in# in he %&rren

.ear0s ra%es o 2e#in rainin# he horses he. %ah he .ears 2e-ore: horses ha ha+e 2een

%om*arai+e". do%i"e &ni" he sme"" o- he -a"" sea 2e#ins o %a"" o he ma#i% inside hem5

$&rin# he monh o- O%o2er, &ni" he -irs o- (o+em2er, he is"and 2e%omes a ma* o- sa-e

areas and &nsa-e areas, 2e%a&se &n"ess .o&0re one o- he riders, .o& don0 wan o 2e aro&ndwhen a %a*a"" &is%e #oes %ra.5 O&r *arens ried hard o shie"d &s -rom he rea"iies o- he

&is%e horses, 2& i was im*ossi2"e o a+oid i5 Friends wo&"d miss s%hoo" 2e%a&se an &is%e

horse had 1i""ed heir do# o+erni#h5 $ad wo&"d ha+e o dri+e aro&nd a r&ined %ar%ass on he

wa. o S1armo&h, e+iden%e o- where a waer horse and a "and horse had #oen ino a -i#h5

The 2e""s a S5 Co"&m2a0s wo&"d rin#midda. -or he -&nera" o- a -isherman %ah &nawares on

he shore5

Finn and I don0 need o 2e o"d how dan#ero&s he horses are5 ;e 1now5 ;e 1now i e+er.

da.5

6Come on,8 I sa. o him5 Sarin# o& o sea, his hin arms 2ra%in# him &*ri#h, he "oo1s +er..o&n#, 9&s hen, m. "i"e 2roher, hoh he0s rea"". %ah in ha sran#e no/man0s/"and

2eween %hi"d and man5 I -ee" he s&dden &r#e o *roe% him -rom he #rie- ha O%o2er is


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#oin# o 2rin#5 ?& i isn0 rea"". he #rie- o- his O%o2er I ha+e o worr. a2o&@ i0s ha o- an

O%o2er a"read. "on# #one5

Finn doesn0 answer, 9&s d&%1s 2a%1 down ino he Morris and sh&s he door wiho& "oo1in#

a me5 I0s a"read. a 2ad da.5 And ha0s 2e-ore Ga2e #es home5


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CHAPTER T;O


18/322

SEA(

?ee%h Graon, he 2&%her0s son, has 9&s s"ahered a %ow and is drainin# he 2"ood ino a

2&%1e -or me when I hear he news5 ;e are sandin# in he .ard 2ehind he 2&%her0s, he

so&nd o- o&r "a%1 o- %on+ersaion am*"i-ied 2. he e%ho o- o&r -oose*s on he sone aro&nd

&s5 The da. is 2ea&i-&" and %oo", and I0m res"ess, shi-in# -rom -oo o -oo5 The sones 2eneah

me are &ne+en, *&shed &* 2. roos -rom rees no "on#er in e+iden%e, and sained, oo, 2rown

and 2"a%1, in dos and s*"aers and ri+&"es5

6?ee%h, did .o& hear .e> The horses are o&,8 Thomas Graon addresses his son, emer#in#

-rom he o*en door o- his sho*5 He had sared ino he %o&r.ard 2& *a&ses mid/sride when

he sees me5 6Sean 7endri%15 I didn0 rea"ie .o& were here58

I don0 sa. an.hin#, and ?ee%h #r&ns, 6Came 2. when he heard I was s"aherin#58 He

#es&res o he %ow0s %or*se, whi%h now han#s, de%a*iaed and "e#"ess, -rom a ri*od o- wood5

The #ro&nd0s awash wih 2"ood -rom where ?ee%h was s"ow o *"a%e he 2&%1e 2eneah he

%ow5 The %ow0s head "ies o-- o he ed#e o- he .ard, &m2"ed ono is side5 Thomas Graon0s

mo&h wor1s as i- he0d "i1e o sa. somehin# o ?ee%h a2o& he s%ene, 2& he doesn05 This2. is

an is"and we"" *o*&"aed 2. sons disa**oinin# heir -ahers5

6$id .o& hear, hen, 7endri%1>8 Thomas Graon as1s5 6Is ha wh. .o&0re here and no on a

horse>8

I am here 2e%a&se he new men ha Ma"+ern has hired o -eed he horses are a-raid a 2es

and in%om*een a wors, and he ha. has 2een *oor and he %&s o-mea e+enworse5 There0s

2een no 2"ood o s*ea1 o- -or he %a*ai"" &is%e, as i- 2. reain# hem as re#&"ar horses he

#rooms ho*e o ma1e hem so5 So I am here 2e%a&se I ha+e o do hin#s m.se"- i- I wan hem

done *ro*er".5 ?& I 9&s sa., 6I hadn0 heard58

?ee%h s"a*s he dead %ow a--a2". on he ne%1 and i*s he 2&%1e his wa. and ha5 He doesn0

"oo1 a his -aher5 6;ho did .o& hear -rom>8

I don0 rea"". %are a2o& he answer o his =&esion@ i doesn0 maer who heard or who saw

wha, on". ha he %a*ai"" &is%e are %"im2in# o& o- he sea5 I %an -ee" in m. 2ones ha i0sr&e5 So his is wh. I -ee" res"ess5 This is wh. Corr *a%es 2e-ore his sa"" door and wh. I %an0

s"ee*5

6The Conno"". 1ids saw one,8 Thomas Graon sa.s5

?ee%h ma1es a noise and s"a*s he %ow a#ain, more -or em*hasis han -or an. *ra%i%a"

*&r*ose5 The Conno"".s0 sor. is one o- he more *ii-&" ones This2. has on o--er' hree %hi"dren

o- a -isherman, or*haned wi%e o+er 2. he %a*ai"" &is%e5 There are *"en. o- sin#"e mohers o

2e had on he is"and, heir men #onemissin# in he ni#h, so"en awa. 2. eiher a sa+a#e waer

horse or 2. he em*aion o- he main"and5 P"en. o- sin#"e -ahers, oo, wi+es sna%hed -rom

he shore 2. s&dden". *resen eeh or seied 2. o&riss wih "ar#e wa""es5 ?& o "ose 2oh*arens in one 2"ow: ha0s &n&s&a"5 M. sor. : -aher %o"d in he #ro&nd, moher "os o he

main"and: is %ommon enoh o ha+e 2een -or#oen "on# a#o, whi%h is -ine 2.me5 There are


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2eer hin#s o 2e 1nown -or5

Thomas Graon wa%hes so&nd"ess". as ?ee%h hands o-- he 2&%1e o me and 2e#ins o

inde"i%ae". 2&%her he %or*se5 I doesn0 seem "i1e here sho&"d 2e an ar-&" wa. o 2&%her a

%ow, 2& here is, and his is no i5 For se+era" "on#momens, I wa%h ?ee%h %ar+e 9a##ed "ines,

#r&nin# o himse"- a"" he whi"e : I hin1 he ma. 2e r.in# o h&m5 I am mesmeried 2. he

&er &nawareness o- he enire *ro%ess, he %hi"d"i1e *"eas&re ?ee%h a1es in a 9o2 i"" done5Thomas Graon and I %a%h ea%h oher0s e.e5

6He "earned his 2&%herin# -rom his moher, no me,8 Thomas Graon e""s me5 I don0 =&ie

smi"e, 2& he seems #rai-ied 2.m. res*onse an.wa.5

6I- .o& don0 "i1e how I do i,8 ?ee%h sa.s, no "oo1in# &* -rom his wor1, 6I0d raher 2e a he

*&2, and his 1ni-e -is in .o&r hand, oo58

Thomas Graon ma1es a mi#h. so&nd ha %omes -rom somewhere 2eween his nosri"s and

he o* o- his mo&h@ i is a so&nd ha, o me, e--e%i+e". *ro+es he e.mo"o#. o- ?ee%h0s

#r&ns5 He &rns awa. -rom ?ee%h and "oo1s a he red/i"ed roo- o- one o- he 2&i"din#s-"an1in# he %o&r.ard5 6So I e*e% .o&0"" 2e ridin# in he ra%e his .ear,8 he sa.s5

?ee%h doesn0 res*ond, 2e%a&se o- %o&rse his -aher is s*ea1in# ome5 I re*"., 6I e*e% so58

Thomas Graon doesn0 answer ri#h awa., 9&s %onin&es #ain# a he e+enin# s&n "i#hin#

he roo- i"es o 2ri""ian oran#e/red5 E+en&a""., he sa.s, 6)es, I e*e% ha0s whaMa"+ern as1s

o- .o&, hen58

I ha+e wor1ed in he Ma"+ern )ard sin%e I was en, and some *eo*"e sa. ha I #o he 9o2 o& o-

*i., 2& hose *eo*"e are wron#5 The Ma"+erns0 "i+e"ihood and heir name are &nder he roo- o-

heir sa2"e : he. e*or s*or horses o he main"and : and he. won0 ha+e an.hin#%om*romisin# ha, -ar "ess somehin# as h&maniarian as *i.5 I0+e 2een wih he Ma"+erns

"on# enoh o 1now ha he Graons do no %are -or hem, and I 1now ha Thomas Graon

wans me o sa. somehin# ha wi"" a""ow him o 2eer des*ise ?en9amin Ma"+ern5 So I a""ow a

"on# *a&se o di--&se he wei#h o- his =&esion, and hen I sa., wih a ra"e o- he 2&%1e

hand"e, 6I- i0s a"" ri#h, I0"" se"e he a%%o&n -or his "aer his wee158

Thomas Graon "ahs so-".5 6)o& are he o"des nineeen I0+e e+er me, Sean 7endri%158

I don0 re*"., 2e%a&se he is *ro2a2". ri#h5 He e""s me o se"e he a%%o&n his Frida. as &s&a",

and ?ee%h #i+es me a *arin# #r&n as I "ea+e he %o&r.ardwih he 2"ood5

I need o 2e hin1in# a2o& 2rin#in# he *onies in -rom he *as&re and ad9&sin# he

horoh2reds0 -eed and how I wi"" 1ee* m. "i"e -"a a2o+e he sa2"e warm oni#h, 2& I am

hin1in# o- he news Thomas Graon 2roh5 I am here on -irm #ro&nd, 2& *ar o- me is

a"read. downon he 2ea%h, and m.own 2"ood is sin#in# I0m so, so a"i+e5


20/322

CHAPTER THREE


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P4C7

Tha ni#h, Ga2e 2rea1s he on". r&"e we ha+e5

I am &nam2iio&s wih dinner, 2e%a&se we don0 ha+e an.hin# oher han dried 2eans, and I0m

si%1 o- 2eans5 I ma1e an a**"e %a1e and -ee" raher +ir&o&s a2o& i5 Finn is anno.in# me 2.

s*endin# he a-ernoon in he .ard in1erin# wih an an%ien, 2ro1en %hain saw ha he %"aims

someone #a+e him 2& ha he *ro2a2". *&""ed o& o- someone0s r&22ish 2e%a&se i had #ears5

I0m %ross 2e%a&se I0m inside 2. m.se"-, whi%h ma1es me -ee" "i1e I oh o 2e id.in#, and I

don0 wan o id.5 I s"am aro&nd a "o o- drawers and %&*2oards whi"e sor o- messin# o+er he

eerna"". -&"" sin1, 2& Finn doesn0 hearme or *reends no o5

Fina""., 2e-ore he s&n %om*"ee". +anishes o+er he hi#h #ro&nd in he wes, I hrow o*en he

side door and sand here "oo1in# a Finn meanin#-&""., waiin# -or him o "oo1 &* and sa.

somehin# o me5 He is a"" 2&%1"ed o+er he o* o- he %hain saw, whi%h "ies dismem2ered in

-ron o- him, *ie%es s*read idi". o+er he *a%1ed dir o- he .ard5 He wears one o- Ga2e0s

sweaers ha, whi"e se+era" .ears o"d, is si"" oo "ar#e -or him5 He has he s"ee+es do&2"ed 2a%1

ino -a, *er-e%". e+en %&--s, and his dar1 hair is m&ssed ino an oi". rooser ai"5 He "oo1s "i1e

an or*han, and hama1es me %ross, oo5

6Are .o& #oin# o %ome in and ea he %a1e whi"e i si"" remem2ers 2ein# warm>8 I so&nd a

"i"e 2ra., 2& I don0 %are5

Finn sa.s, wiho& "oo1in# &*, 6In a min&e58 He doesn0mean a min&e and I 1now i5

6I0m #oin# o ea i a"" m.se"-,8 I sa.5 He doesn0 re*".@ he0s "os in he m.ser. o- he %hain saw5

I hin1, 9&s -or ha momen, ha I hae 2rohers, 2e%a&se he. ne+er rea"ie when somehin#

is im*oran o .o& and he. on". %are a2o& heir own hin#s5

I0m a2o& o sa. somehin# ha I mi#h 2e em2arrassed a2o& "aer when I see Ga2e wa"1in#

his 2i%.%"e hroh he d&s1 oward &s5 (eiher o- &s sa.s hi o him as he o*ens he .ard #ae,

*&shes his 2i%.%"e hroh, and %"oses i a#ain, Finn 2e%a&se he is se"-/in+o"+ed, and me 2e%a&se

I am anno.ed a Finn5

Ga2e *&s his 2i%.%"e awa. in he "i"e "ean/o 2. he 2a%1 o- he ho&se and hen %omes o

sand 2ehind Finn5 Ga2e a1es o-- his s1&""%a* and ho"ds i in his arm*i, his arms %rossed,

word"ess". wa%hin# wha Finn0s doin#5 I0m no s&re Ga2e %an a%&a"". e"" wha i is ha Finn

has e+is%eraed in he 2are". here 2"&e "i#h o- e+enin#, 2& Finn ro%1s he 2od. o- he %hain

saw s"i#h". o #i+e Ga2e a 2eer +iew5 This a**aren". e""s Ga2e e+er.hin# he needs o 1now,

2e%a&se as Finn "oo1s &*, i"in# his %hin oward o&r o"der 2roher, Ga2e 9&s #i+es a "i"e nod5

Their &ns*o1en "an#&a#e 2oh enran%es and in-&riaes me5 6There0s a**"e %a1e,8 I sa.5 6I0s si""

warm58

Ga2e remo+es his s1&""%a* -rom his arm*i and &rns ome5 6;ha0s dinner>8

6A**"e %a1e,8 Finn %ommens -rom he #ro&nd5


22/322

6And %hain saw,8 I re*".5 6Finn made a "o+e". %hain saw o #owih58

6A**"e %a1e0s -ine,8 Ga2e sa.s, 2& he so&nds ired5 6P&%1, don0 "ea+e he door o*en5 I0s %o"d

o& here58 I se* 2a%1 so ha he %an wa"1 ino he ho&se, and as he does, I noi%e ha he sin1s

o- -ish5 I hae i when he ?erin#ers ha+e him %"eanin# -ish5 Hema1es he who"e ho&se sme""5

Ga2e *a&ses in he door5 I sare a him hen, a he wa. he sands, his hand on he door -rame,his -a%e &rned oward his hand as i- he is s&d.in# his -in#ers or he %hi**ed red *ain 2eneah

hem5 The wa. his -a%e "oo1s seems -ar awa., "i1e a sran#er0s, and I s&dden". wan o h him

"i1e I &sed o when I was sma""5 6Finn,8 he sa.s, his +oi%e "ow, 6when .o& #e ha o#eher, I

need o a"1 o .o& and 7ae58

Finn "oo1s &*, his -a%e sar"ed, 2& Ga2e is a"read. #one, disa**eared *as me ino he room he

si"" shares wih Finn des*ie o&r *arens0 room 2ein# em*.5 Eiher Ga2e0s re=&es or his &se o-

m. rea" name has #oen Finn0s aenion in a wa. ha m. a**"e %a1e %o&"dn0, and he 2e#ins

o assem2"e he *ars ra*id"., d&m*in# hem ino a 2aered %ard2oard 2o5

I -ee" &nse"ed whi"e I wai -or Ga2e o emer#e -rom his room5 The 1i%hen has &rned ino hesma"", .e""ow *"a%e ha i 2e%omes a ni#h when he dar1ness o&side *resses i sma""er5 I

h&rried". wash o-- hree *"aes ha ma%h and %& a -a *ie%e o- a**"e %a1e -or ea%h o- &s, he

2i##es one -or Ga2e5 Sein# hem o& on he a2"e, hree "one". *"aes where on%e here

wo&"d0+e 2een -i+e, de*resses me, so I 2&s. m.se"- ma1in# some min ea o #o wih hem5 As I

arran#e and rearran#e he ea%&*s 2. o&r *"aes, i o%%&rs o me, oo "ae, ha min ea and

a**"e %a1emi#h no #o o#eher5

?. hen Finn has 2e#&n he *ro%ess o- washin# his hands, whi%h %an a1e %en&ries5 Paien".

and si"en". he "ahers his hands wih he 2ar o- mi"1 soa*, wor1in# 2eween ea%h -in#er and

r&22in# ea%h "ine in his *a"m5 He 1ee*s doin# i when Ga2e emer#es in -resh %"ohin# 2& si""

sme""in# o- -ish5

6This is ni%e,8 Ga2e e""s me as he *&""s o& his %hair, and I0m re"ie+ed, 2e%a&se nohin# is

wron#, e+er.hin# wi"" 2e -ine5 6Min sme""s #ood a-er oda.58

I r. o hin1 o- wha M&m or $ad wo&"d0+e said o him hen@ -or some reason, o&r a#e

di--eren%e -ee"s "i1e a massi+e +oid 9&s now5 6I hoh he. had .o& #ein# he hoe" read.

oda.>8

6The. were shorhanded a he *ier,8 Ga2e sa.s5 6And ?erin#er 1nows I0m =&i%1er han

Bose*h58

Bose*h is ?erin#er0s son, oo "a. o 2e =&i%1 a an.hin#5 Ga2e o"d me on%e ha we sho&"d 2e

#rae-&" -or Bose*h0s ina2i"i. o hin1 o- an.hin# 2& himse"-, 2e%a&se i is wh. Ga2e has a 9o25

I0m no #rae-&" a he momen, hoh, 2e%a&se Ga2e sme""s "i1e -ish sin%e Bose*h is a -e%15

Ga2e ho"ds his ea 2& doesn0 drin1 i5 Finn is si"" washin#5 I si down am. *"a%e5 Ga2ewais a

-ew more 2eas and hen sa.s, 6Finn, enoh, o1a.>8

Finn si"" a1es anoher min&e o rinse, 2& hen he sh&s o-- he a* and %omes and sis a%ross

-romme5 6$o we si"" sa. #ra%e i- i0s on". a**"e %a1e>8

6And a %hain saw,8 I sa.5

6God, han1 .o& -or his %a1e and Finn0s %hain saw,8 Ga2e sa.s5 6Are .o& ha**.>8


23/322

6God, orme>8 I as15

6God0s a"wa.s ha**.,8 Finn sa.s5 6)o&0re he one who needs *"easin#58

This sri1esme as in%redi2". &nr&e, 2& I re-&se o rise o he 2ai5 I "oo1 a Ga2e, who0s "oo1in#

a his *"ae5 I as1 him, 6So, wha>8

O&side, I hear $o+e whi%1erin# where he *as&re mees he .ard@ she wans her hand-&" o-

#rain5 Finn "oo1s a Ga2e, who0s si"" "oo1in# a his *"ae, *ressin# his -in#ers ino he o* o- he

a**"e %a1e as i- he0s %he%1in# he e&re5 I am s&dden". aware o- how omorrow, he

anni+ersar. o- o&r *arens0 deahs, has 2een "oomin# inside me, and how i ne+er o%%&rred o

me o hin1 ha imi#h 2e he same -or =&ie, so"id Ga2e5

He doesn0 "i- his e.es5 He sim*". sa.s, 6I0m "ea+in# he is"and58

Finn 1ee*s his #ae on Ga2e5 6;ha>8

I %an0 s*ea1@ i0s "i1e he0s said i in a di--eren "an#&a#e, and m. 2rain has o rans"ae i 2e-ore I

%an &ndersand i5

6I0m "ea+in# he is"and,8 Ga2e e""s &s, and his ime he saemen is -irmer, more rea", hoh

he si"" doesn0 "oo1 a eiher o- &s5

Finnmana#es a who"e senen%e -irs5 6;ha wi"" we dowih a"" o- o&r hin#s>8

I add, 6;ha a2o& $o+e>8

Ga2e sa.s, 6I0m "ea+in# he is"and58

Finn "oo1s "i1e Ga2e has s"a**ed him5 I 9& m. %hin o& and r. o #e Ga2e o mee m. e.es5

6)o&0re #oin# o #o wiho& &s>8 Then, m. mind *ro+ides an answer, a "o#i%a" one, one ha

#i+es him an e%&se, and I #i+e i o him5 6So .o& aren0 #oin# "on#5 )o&0re 9&s #oin# -or :8 I

sha1e m. head5 I %an0 hin1 o- wha hewo&"d 2e #oin# -or5

Ga2e -ina"". "i-s his -a%e5 6I0mmo+in# awa.58

A%ross -romme, Finn is %"in#in# o he ed#e o- he a2"e, his -in#eri*s *ressed ino he wood so

ha he.0re whie on he +er. ends 2& 2ri#h red oward he 9oins@ I don0 hin1 he0s aware o-

i5

6;hen>8 I sa.5

6Two wee1s58 P&--in is mew"in# aro&nd his -ee, r&22in# her %hin a#ains his "e# and %hair, 2&

Ga2e doesn0 "oo1 down or a%1now"ed#e her5 6I *romised ?erin#er I0d sa. ha "on#58

6?erin#er>8 I sa.5 6)o& *romised ?erin#er .o&0d sa. ha "on#> ;ha a2o& &s> ;ha0s #oin#

o ha**en o &s>8

He won0 "oo1 a me5 I0m r.in# o ima#ine how we %an s&r+i+e wih one "ess earnin# Conno"".

and one more em*. 2ed5

6)o& %an0 #o,8 I sa.5 6)o& %an0 #o so soon58 M. *&"se is %"&22in# inside m. %hes and I ha+e o

*ress m. 9aw sh& o 1ee*m. eeh -rom %haerin#5

Ga2e0s -a%e is &er". &n%han#ed, and I 1now ha I0m #oin# o re#re wha I sa., 2& i0s he


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on". hin# I %an hin1 o-, so I sa. i5

6I0m ridin# in he ra%es,8 I e"" him5 B&s "i1e ha5

(ow I ha+e 2oh m. 2rohers0 -&"" aenion, and m. %hee1s -ee" "i1e I0+e 2een "eanin# o+er a

ho so+e5

6Oh, %ome on, 7ae,8 Ga2e sa.s, 2& his +oi%e is no as s&re as i sho&"d 2e5 He ha"- 2e"ie+es me,

des*ie himse"-5 ?e-ore I sa. an.hin# e"se, I ha+e o hin1 a2o& i and de%ide i- I 2e"ie+e me5 I

hin1 o- his mornin#, m. hair #ed in he wind, he -ee" o- $o+e sre%hin# o& ino a #a""o*5 I

hin1 o- he da. a-er he ra%es, he red/sained sand hi#h &* on he 2ea%h where he o%ean has

.e o rea%h5 I hin1 o- he "as 2oas "ea+in# -or he winer, and Ga2e on one o- hem5

I %o&"d do i, i- i %ame o i5

6I am5 $idn0 .o& hear in own> The horses are %omin# o&5 Trainin# sars omorrow58 I am so,

so *ro&d ham.words so&nd -irm5

Ga2e0s mo&hwor1s, as i- he is sa.in# a"" sors o- hin#s wiho& *arin# his "i*s, and I 1now hahe is #oin# hroh a"" he %o&nerar#&mens in his head5 Par o- me wans him o sa. 6.o&

%an08 so I %an as1 6wh.>8 and he wo&"d ha+e o rea"ie ha he %an0 answer 62e%a&se .o&

mi#h "ea+e Finn 2. himse"-58 And he %an0 as1 6wh.>8 2e%a&se hen he0d ha+e o answer ha

=&esion as we""5 I sho&"d 2e -ee"in# +er. %"e+er and *"eased wih m.se"-, 2e%a&se i0s +er. hard

o render Ga2e s*ee%h"ess, 2& mos". m. hear is 9&s #oin# i*/i*/i* in m. %hes, +er.

sha""ow and -as, and I0m ha"- ho*in# ha he0"" sa. ha i- I don0 ride, he0"" sa.5

?& -ina"". he sa.s, 6A"" ri#h5 I0"" sa. &ni" a-er he ra%es58 He "oo1s %ross5 6?& no "on#er han

ha, or he 2oas wi"" so* r&nnin# 0i" s*rin#5 This is a rea"". s&*id hin# .o&0re doin#, 7ae58

He0s mad a me, 2& I don0 %are a2o& ha5 A"" I %are is ha he0s sa.in#, -or a "i"e whi"e

"on#er5

6;e"", so&nds "i1e we0"" need he mone., i- I win,8 I sa., r.in# o so&nd as ad&" and 2"as as

*ossi2"e, 2& hin1in# ha ma.2e i- I do win he mone., he won0 ha+e o "ea+e5 And hen I #e

&* -rom he a2"e and *& m. *"ae and ea%&* in he sin1, "i1e i was a norma" e+enin#5 Then I

wa"1 ino m. room, %"ose he door, and *& m. *i""ow o+erm. head so no one wi"" hear5

6Se"-ish 2asard,8 I whis*er, he words %"ose &nder he *i""ow%ase5

Then I 2&rs ino ears5


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CHAPTER FO4R


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SEA(

I amdreamin# o- he sea when he.wa1e me5

A%&a""., I am dreamin# o- he ni#h ha I %ah Corr, 2& I %an hear he sea in m. dream5

There is an o"d wi+es0 a"e ha %a*ai"" &is%e %ah a ni#h are -aser and sron#er, and so i is

hree in he mornin# and I am %ro&%hin# on a 2o&"der a he 2ase o- he %"i--s, se+era" h&ndred

-ee -rom he sand 2ea%h5 A2o+e me, he sea has made an ar%h in he %ha"1, he %ei"in# a

h&ndred -ee o+er m. head, and he whie wa""s h me5 I sho&"d 2e dar1, hidden -rom he

moon, 2& he o%ean re-"e%s "i#h o-- he *a"e ro%1, and I %an see 9&s we"" enoh no o

s&m2"e on he %oarse, 1e"*/%o+ered ro%1s on he -"oor5 The sone 2eneah m. -ee has more in

%ommonwih he sea-"oor han he shore, and I ha+e o a1e %are no o "osem. -ooin# on hes"i**er. s&r-a%e5

I am "isenin#5

In he dar1, in he %o"d, I am "isenin# -or a %han#e in he so&nd o- he o%ean5 The waer is

risin#, =&i%1". and si"en".@ he ide is %omin# in, and in an ho&r, his in%om*"ee %a+e wi"" 2e -&""

o- seawaer hi#her han m. head5 I am "isenin# -or he so&nd o- a s*"ash, -or he r&sh o- a hoo-

2rea1in# he s&r-a%e, -or an. hin ha a %a*a"" &is%e is emer#in#5 ?e%a&se 2. he ime .o& hear

a hoo- %"i%1 on he sones, .o& are dead5

?& here is nohin# 2& he eerie si"en%e o- he sea' no sea2irds a ni#h, no sho&s o- 2o.s on

he shore, no disan h&m o- a 2oa0s moor5 The wind is r&h"ess as i -inds me in he ar%h5

4n2a"an%ed 2. is s&dden -or%e, I s"i* and %a%h m. 2a"an%e a#ain on he wa"", m. -in#ers

s*"a.ed5 I h&rried". *&"" m. hand 2a%1: he wa""s o- he ar%h are %o+ered wih 2"ood/red 9e""ies

ha win1 and #"isen a me 2. he "i#h o- he moon5 M. -aher o"d me he. were %om*"ee".

harm"ess5 I don0 2e"ie+e him5 (ohin# is %om*"ee". harm"ess5

?e"ow me, he waer %ree*s 2eween he 2o&"ders as he ide %omes in5 M. *a"m is 2"eedin#5

I hear a so&nd, "i1e a 1ien mew"in#, or a 2a2. s%reamin#, and I -reee5 There are no 1iens or

2a2ies here on he 2ea%h@ here is on". me and he horses5 ?rian Carro"" has o"d me ha when

he is o& a sea a ni#h, he %an someimes hear he horses %a""in# o ea%h oher &nder hewaer, and i so&nds "i1ewha"e son#, or a widow wai"in#, or somehin# %h&%1"in#5

I "oo1 down o he waer in he dee*es %"e- o- he ro%1s 2e"ow me@ i has risen -as5 How "on#

ha+e I 2een sandin# here> The 2o&"ders in -ron o- me are a"read. nohin# 2& shin. h&m*s o-

ro%1 2are". a2o+e he 2"a%1 waer5 I am em*./handed, 2& I am a"so o& o- ime : I need o

&rn 2a%1 and *i%1m.wa. a%ross he seaweed/s"imed ro%1s whi"e I si"" %an5

I "oo1 a m. hand@ a hi%1 ri%1"e o- 2"ood has we""ed in m. *a"m and down 2eween he wo

2ones o- m. arm5 I #ahers, swe""s, dri*s so&nd"ess". ino he waer5 M. *a"m wi"" h&r "aer5 I

"oo1 a he waer where m. 2"ood disa**ears5 I am si"en5 The %a+e is si"en5

I &rn aro&nd and here is a horse5

I is %"ose enoh o sme"" he 2rin. odor o- i, %"ose enoh o -ee" he warmh o-- is si""/we


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s1in, %"ose enoh o "oo1 ino is e.e and see is di"aed s=&are *&*i"5 I sme"" 2"ood on is

2reah5

And hen he.wa1e me5

I is ?rian and Bonahan Carro"", and heir -a%es 2oh s*e"" %on%ern5 ?rian0s -a%e wears he

radiiona" 2rand' -&rrowed e.e2rows, "i*s *&%1ered5 Bonahan0s %omes o& as an a*o"o#ei%smi"e ha %han#es sha*e e+er. -ew se%onds5 ?rian is m. a#e and I 1now him -rom he *iers@ we

2oh dea" wih he waer -or o&r "i+in# and so we ha+e hisor. o#eher, hoh we are no

-riends5 Bonahan is his 2roher, rai"in# ?rian in e+er. wa., in%"&din# 2rains5

67endri%1,8 sa.s ?rian5 6)o& &*>8

I am now5 I "ie here in m. 2&n1 "i1e I am ied o i and sa. nohin#5

Bonahan adds, 6Sorr. o wa1e .o&, mae58

6)o&0re he man,8 ?rian sa.s5 Thoh I0m -ee"in# no 1inshi* -or him now in he midd"e o- he

ni#h, I don0 mind ?rian5 He sa.s wha he means5 6There0s nohin# e"se -or i@ M&0s in a wor"do- ro&2"e5 He had a mind o wai &* -or one o- he %a*ai"" o %ome o& o- he waer and now

he0s #oenwha he as1ed -or and I don0 hin1 he "i1es i58

6I0s #oin# o 1i"" hem,8 Bonahan sa.s5 He "oo1s *"eased o ha+e 2een a2"e o sae somehin#

so o2+io&s 2e-ore ?rian %o&"d5

6Them>8 I e%ho5 I0s %o"d and I0m wide awa1e5

6M& and a 2&n%h o- his maes,8 ?rian sa.s5 6The.0re a"" in i, and he.0+e #o he %a*a"" sor

o- %ah, 2& he. %an0 "e i #o and he. %an0 2rin# i in58

(ow I0m siin#5 I don0 ha+e an. "o+e in he wor"d -or M& : a"so 1nown as Mahew Ma"+ern,

he 2asard son o- m. 2oss : or an. o- he #rooms who s%&rr. in s&2missi+e -riendshi* 2ehind

him, 2& he. %an0 "ea+e a horse an#"ed &* on he 2ea%h in whae+er -oo" ra* he.0+e

de+ised5

6)o&0re he one -or he horses, 7endri%1,8 ?rian sa.s5 6I re%1on someone0s #oin# o #e 1i""ed

&n"ess we -e%h .o& 2a%1 here58

?a%1 here5 (ow I &ndersand heir e*ressions@ he. were *ar o- his and he. 1now ha I0""

hin1 "ess o- hem -or i5

I don0 sa. an.hin# e"se5 B&s #e o& o- 2ed, *&""in# on m. o"d sweaer and sna%hin# &* m.

#rease/2"a%1/2"&e %oa wih a"" m. hin#s in is *o%1es5 I 9er1m. %hin oward he door, and he.

s%&rr. 2e-ore me "i1e sand*i*ers, Bonahan wren%hin# he door o*en so ha ?rian %an "ead he

wa. o& o- he sa2"e5

O&side, he wind is a "i+e, sar+in# hin#5 The s1. o+er S1armo&h is a d&"" 2rown, "i 2. he

sree"i#hs, 2& e+er.where e"se is in1.5 There is a 2i o- a moon, so i wi"" 2e 2ri#her 2. he

o%ean, 2& no m&%h5 ;e sri1e o& a%ross he -ie"ds, a1in# he srai#hes *ah o he 2ea%h5

There0s nohin# o& here 2& ro%1s and shee*, 2& i0s eas. enoh o -a"" o+er eiher o- hem5

6Tor%h,8 I sa., and ?rian -"i%1s on a -"ash"i#h and o--ers i o me5 I sha1e m. head5 I0"" need m.hands -ree5 ?ehind &s, Bonahan 9o#s and ri*s 1ee*in# &*wih o&r *a%e, ma1in# a 2eamo- "i#h

ar% %rai". as his -"ash"i#h/hand 9er1s5 I0m reminded o- m.moher *reendin# owrie words on


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he wa"" wih a -"ash"i#h when he sorm 1no%1ed o& o&r *ower5

6How -ar &* he 2ea%h>8 I as15 The ide wi"" 2e %omin# in in a -ew ho&rs, and i- he. are aro&nd

he *oin, a new %a*a"" &is%e wi"" 2e he "eas o- heir *ro2"ems5

6(o -ar,8 *ans ?rian5 He is no &n-i, 2& sren&o&s a%i+i. ends o wind him5 I- no -or heir

e*ressions ear"ier, I wo&"d0+e so**ed o "e him %a%h his 2reah5

I %an 9&s see where he hi""s s*"i and %"e- -or he *ah down o he sand : he "and is a dar1er

2"a%1 a#ains he s1. : and hen I hear a s%ream5 The wind %arries i o &s, hi#h and hin and

ra##ed, and i is im*ossi2"e o sa. wheher i is h&man or anima"5 The hairs on he 2a%1 o- m.

ne%1 *ri%1"e in a warnin# I i#nore as I 2rea1 ino a r&n5

?rian does no -o""ow m. "ead : I don0 hin1 he %an : and I sense ha Bonahan is orn

2eween sa.in# wih ?rian and a%%om*an.in#me5

6I need he or%h, Bonahan8 sho&s someone e"se, and his, I 1now, is M&, ho"din# he "ine ha "eads o

he horse0s ne%15 I %an e"" 2. he sha*e o- his si"ho&ee, he 2road sho&"ders and hi%1 ne%1

ha is 2oh ne%1 and %hin5 6;ho as1ed -or ha 2asard o %ome> Go 2a%1 o s"ee*, 1na%1er :

I0+e #o his &nder %onro"


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6M&,8 I sa.5 He doesn0 e+en &rn his head, 2& a "eas I said i5

The "ine ho"din# he horse0s *asern s&dden". sre%hes a& as he #ra. %a*a"" "&n#es oward

M&5 I am s*ra.ed wih sand and sma"" *e22"es -rom is hoo+es di##in# ino he 2ea%h5 Sho&s

*&n%h he air5 Pad#e ree"s and s on his "ine, wor1in# o o--%ener he horse5 M& is oo

2&s. wih his own we"-are o re&rn he -a+or5 The "ine aro&nd is ne%1 s&dden". s"a%1, he

horse 2a%1s oward Pad#e5 Is hoo+es dra# %ir%"es in he sand5 And hen he horse is onPad#e, eeh s&n1 ino his sho&"der, -ron "e#s reared &* and em2ra%in# him5 I seems

im*ossi2"e ha Pad#e wi"" no -a"" o he #ro&nd &nder he wei#h, 2& he horse0s #ri* on his

sho&"der ho"ds him &*ri#h -or a 2rie- momen 2e-ore i -a""s o is 1nees, Pad#e &%1ed

2eneah is %hes5

(owM& is ha&"in# he "ine aro&nd he horse0s ne%1, 2& i is oo "i"e, oo "ae, and wha is he

a#ains one o- he %a*ai"" &is%e>

Pad#e is 2e#innin# o "oo1 im*ro2a2"e@ somehin# a2o& him is sarin# o "oo1 "ess "i1e a man

and more "i1e mea5 I hear, *"aini+e"., -rom one o- he men' 67endri%158 I se* -orward, and

ri#h as I #e o he horse, I s*i on he -in#ers o- m. "e- hand and #ra2 a hand-&" o- is mane ais *o"", ri#h 2ehind is ears5 P&""in# a red ri22on -rom he *o%1e o- m. 9a%1e wih m. ri#h

hand, I *ress i o+er he 2ones o- he horse0s nose5 I 9er1s, 2& m. hand on is s1&"" and ne%1 is

-irm5 I whis*er in is ear and i sa##ers 2a%1, *&n%hin# a hoo- ino Pad#e0s 2od. as i sr#"es

o -ind is -ooin# a#ain5 Pad#e is no m. %on%ern5 M. %on%ern is ha I ha+e wo ho&sand

*o&nds o- wi"d anima" 2ein# he"d 2. a srin# and i has maimed wo men a"read. and I need o

#e i awa. -rom he res o- hem 2e-ore I "ose m. en&o&s #ri*5

6$on0 .o& dare "e ha horse #o,8 M& e""s me5 6(o a-er a"" his5 )o& 2rin# i 2a%1 o he

sa2"e5 $on0 "e his 2e a wase58

I wan o e"" him ha his is a waer horse, no a do#, and ha "eadin# i in"and, awa. -rom he

near". (o+em2er sa" waer, is a ri%1 I don0 -ee" "i1e *er-ormin# a he momen5 ?& I don0

wan o sho& o& "o&d and #i+e he horse an. more %a&se o remem2er ha I am ri#h ne o

i5

6$o wha .o& need o do, 7endri%1


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31/322

P4C7

I don0 hin1 ha I s"ee*, 2& I do, 2e%a&se in he mornin# m. e.es are si%1. and m. 2"an1es

"oo1 "i1e a mo"e has &nne"ed hroh hem5 The s1. o&side he window is he 2"&e o- a"mos/

da."i#h, and I de%ide ha no maer wha ime i is, I0m awa1e5 I s*end oo "on# sandin#

shi+erin# inm. s"ee*in# o* : he one wih he sra*s o- "a%e ha are 9&s a "i"e i%h., 2& ha

I wear an.wa. 2e%a&se M&mmade i : sarin# a he %onens o- m. dresser, r.in# o de%ide

wha o wear o he 2ea%h5 I don0 1now i- i wi"" 2e %o"d a-er I0+e 2een ridin# -or a whi"e and I

don0 1now i- I wan o #o down here dressed "i1e a #ir" when Bose*h ?erin#er is *ro2a2". #oin#

o 2e here "oo1in# ame "i1e h&r, h&r, h&r5

Mos". I0m r.in# no o hin1 #randiose hin#s "i1e' )o& wi"" remem2er his da. -or he res o-.o&r "i-e5

In he end, I 9&s wear wha I a"wa.s wear : m. 2rown *ans ha won0 %ha-e and m. %h&n1.

dar1 #reen sweaer ha M&m0s moher 1nied -or her5 I "i1e o hin1 o- M&m wearin# i@ i

#i+es he sweaer hisor.5 I "oo1 ino m. s*oed mirror and ma1e a -ier%e -a%e &nder m.

-re%1"es, m. e.e2rows srai#h a%ross o+er m. 2"&e e.es5 I "oo1 mess. and %ross5 I *&"" some o-

m. hair o& o-m. *on.ai", a%ross m. -orehead, r.in# o "oo1 "i1e someone oher han he #ir" I

#rew &* 2ein#5 Someone *eo*"e won0 "ah a when he. see me arri+e on he 2ea%h5 I

doesn0 wor15 I ha+e oo man. -re%1"es5 I drawm. hair 2a%1 ino he *on.ai" a#ain5

In he 1i%hen, Finn is a"read. &*, and he is sandin# a he sin15 He is wearin# he same sweaeras .eserda., and he "oo1s "i1e a man who has shr&n1 in he ni#h whi"e his %"ohin# *oo"ed

aro&nd him5 Somehin# sme""s sor o- 2ri"e and %ar2on/"i1e, a"mos #ood, "i1e sea1 or oas,

&ni" I rea"ie ha i0s a%&a"". a 2ad sme"", "i1e 2&rned *a*er and hair5

6Ga2e awa1e>8 I as15 I *eer &n%erain". ino he %&*2oard, o a+oid ha+in# o "oo1 a Finn5 I0m

no s&re I wan o a"15 3oo1in# in he %&*2oard, I0m no s&re I wan o ea, eiher5

6He0s a"read. #one o he hoe",8 Finn sa.s5 6I D here58 And wih his, he ses a m wih a

s*oon sandin# in i down on he a2"e5 I0s #o sains o- whae+er0s in i on he sides in s&%h a

wa. ha I 9&s 1now i0s #oin# o "ea+e a rin# on he a2"e, 2& i0s seamin# and I s&s*e% ha

i0s ho %ho%o"ae5

6)o&made his>8

Finn "oo1s a me5 6(o, Sain Anhon. 2roh i o me in he ni#h5 He was +er. *& o& I didn0

#i+e i o .o& ri#h hen58 He &rns 2a%1 aro&nd5

I am sho%1ed, 2oh 2. he rea**earan%e o- Finn0s h&mor and he #i- o- he ho %ho%o"ae5 I see

now ha he %o&ner is an a2so"&e mess o- *os ha Finn &sed o disi"" a sin#"e %&* o- %o%oa,

and I0m %erain now ha he odor han#in# on he air is he sme"" o- mi"1 s*i" on he ho 2&rner,

2& i doesn0 maer in he -a%e o- his inenion5 I sor o- ma1es m. "ower "i* no =&ie s&re o-

ise"-, 2& I %"am* m. eeh on i -or a momen &ni" e+er.hin#0s sead.5 ?. he ime Finn sisdown on he oher side o- he a2"e wih a m o- his own, I0m norma" a#ain5


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6Than1s,8 I sa., and Finn "oo1s &n%om-ora2"e5 M&m &sed o sa. he was "i1e a -aerie@ he didn0

"i1e o 2e han1ed5 I add, 6Sorr.58

6I *& sa" in i,8 Finn e""s me, as i- his e"iminaes he need o 2e #rae-&"5

I r. i5 I0s #ood5 I- here0s sa" in i, I %an0 ase i aro&nd he -"oain# is"ands o- *aria"". sirred

%o%oa5 The. disso"+e in m. mo&h in no/&n*"easan "&m*s o- *owder5 I %an0 remem2er i- Finnhas e+ermade %o%oa 2e-ore@ I hin1 he on". e+er wa%hed me5 6I %an0 e"" here0s sa" in i58

6Sa",8 Finn sa.s, 6ma1es %o%oa sweeer58

I hin1 his is a *re. s&*id hin# o sa., 2e%a&se how %o&"d somehin# no swee ma1e

somehin# sweeer, 2& I "e i *ass5 I sir m. %o%oa and mash a -ew o- he "&m*s o- %o%oa

a#ains he side o- hem wih he 2a%1 o- he s*oon5

Finn 1nows I don0 2e"ie+e him, hoh, and sa.s, 6Go and as1 a Pa"sson0s, hen5 I wa%hed

hemma1e he %ho%o"ae m&--ins5 ;ih sa"58

6I didn0 sa. I didn0 2e"ie+e .o&< I didn0 sa. an.hin# a a""58

He mashes a s*oon in his own %&*5 6I 1now .o& didn058

He doesn0 as1 me how "on# I0"" 2e #one oda., or how I0m #oin# o #e a horse o ride, or

an.hin# a2o& Ga2e5 I %an0 de%ide i- I0m #"ad no o a"1 a2o& i or i- i0s dri+in# me %ra. ha

he0s no5 ;e 9&s s"&r* down he res o- o&r drin1s, and when I #e &* o *& m. m in he

sin1, I -ina"". sa., 6I #&ess I0"" 2e #onemos o- he da.58

Finn #es &* and *&s his m ne o mine5 He "oo1s +er. serio&s, his ne%1 s1inn. and &r"e/

"i1e *o1in# o& o- he o+ersie sweaer5 He *oins o he %o&ner 2ehind me5 Amon# he wre%1

o- *os and dishes is a %&/&* a**"e, wih a 2i o- %r&m2s -rom he %o&ner s&%1 o one o- he%& ed#es5 6Tha0s -or $o+e5 I wan o %ome wih .o& oda.58

6)o& %an0 %ome wihme,8 I sa., wiho& e+en so**in# o hin1 a2o& how his words ma1e me

-ee"5

6(o e+er. da.,8 Finn sa.s5 6B&s oda.5 B&s he -irs da.58

I 2a"e momenari". wih he ima#e o- m.se"- emer#in# on he 2ea%h *ro&d and "onesome,

+ers&s he rea"i. o- arri+in# wih one o- m. 2rohers o wa%h -rom he side"ines and see how

i0s done5 6O1a.5 Tha wo&"d 2e #ood58

Finn #es his ha5 I #e m. ha5 I 1nied 2oh o- hemm.se"-, and mine is *aerned inwhie and

wo di--eren shades o- 2rown5 Finn0s is red and whie5 The.0re "&m*., 2& he. -i5

In o&r has, we sand amon# he wre%1a#e o- he 1i%hen5 For a momen, I see he room "i1e

an.one e"se mi#h see i5 I "oo1s "i1e e+er.hin# aro&nd Finn has %raw"ed o& o- he mo&h o-

he 1i%hen sin1 drain5 I0s a mess, andwe0re a mess, and nowonder Ga2e wans o "ea+e5

63e0s #o,8 I sa.5


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CHAPTER SI


34/322

SEA(

Tha -irs da., Gorr. has me %ome down o he 2ea%h 2e-ore an.one e"se o r. a *ie2a"d mare

he has dred#ed -rom he o%ean some indeerminae ime 2e-ore5 He is so %erain ha I wi""

wan her -or Ma"+ern ha he0s *ri%ed her hi#h enoh -or wo horses5 4nder he dar1 2"&e

ear". mornin# s1., he ide 9&s sarin# o *&"" 2a%1 -rom he sand, m. -in#ers -roen where

he. *o1e -romm. -in#er"ess #"o+es, I wa%h him ro her 2a%1 and -orh -or me5 Her hoo-*rins

are he -irs on he 2ea%h@ he ide has wi*ed he sand %"ean, remo+in# a"" ra%es o- M&0s

2o%hed e--ors he ni#h 2e-ore5

She0s sri1in#5 ;aer horses %ome in e+er. %o"or ha norma" "and horses do, 2&, "i1e "and

horses, mos are 2a. or %hesn&5 3ess o-en d&n or *a"omino or 2"a%1 or #ra.5 I0s +er. rare o-ind a *ie2a"d waer horse, e=&a"". 2"a%1 and whie, shar* whie %"o&ds a%ross a 2"a%1 -ie"d5 ?&

-"ash. %o"or doesn0 win ra%es5

The *ie2a"d mare doesn0 mo+e erri2".5 She has a #ood sho&"der5 3os o- %a*ai"" &is%e ha+e

#ood sho&"ders5 4nim*ressed, I wa%h 2"a%1 %ormorans s*in hroh he s1. a2o+e &s, heir

si"ho&ees "i1e sma"" dra#ons5

Gorr. 2rin#s he mare o me5 I hi%h m.se"- ono her 2a%1 and "oo1 down a Gorr.5 6She0s he

-ases %a*a"" &is%e .o&0"" e+er si on,8 he sa.s in his #rain. +oi%e5

Corr is he -ases %a*a"" &is%e I0+e e+er sa on5

?eneah me, he *ie2a"d mare sme""s "i1e %o**er and roin# seaweed5 Her e.e, &rned oward

me, wee*s seawaer5 I don0 "i1e he -ee" o- her : sin&o&s and hard o ho"d : 2& hen, I am

&sed o Corr5

6Ta1e her o&,8 Gorr. sa.s5 6Te"" me .o& %an -ind an.hin# -aser58

I "e her ro@ she min%es hroh he *a%1ed sand oward he waer, ears *inned o her mane5 I

h&m2 m. iron *ie%es o& -rom m. s"ee+es and ra%1 hem %o&ner%"o%1wise on her wihers,

ri#h on a hear/sha*ed s*o o- whie5 She sh&dders and wiss her 2od. awa. -rom m. o&%h5 I

don0 "i1e he &nhorse/"i1e i" o her head or he wa. ha she ne+er &n*ins her ears5 (one o-

he horses are o 2e r&sed5 ?& I r&s her "ess hanmos5

Gorr. &r#es me o #a""o* her5 Fee" her s*eed -or m.se"-5 I do&2 ha here is an.hin# she %an

do a a #a""o* o %on+in%e me ha wha she is "i1e a a ro is worh i5 ?& I "e o& her reins and

n&d#e her sides5

She is down he 2ea%h "i1e an os*re. di+in# -or a -ish5 ?reah"ess". -as5 And a"wa.s, a"wa.s

%ons%io&s o- he waer, an#"in# oward he sea5 And a#ain, ha sin&o&s, s"i**er. mo+emen5

She seems -ar "ess horse han sea %rea&re o me, e+en now, e+en in he dee* o- O%o2er, e+en

on dr. "and5 E+en wihmewhis*erin# in her ear5

?& she is -as5 Her srides ea he sand, and we *ass 2. he %o+e ha mar1s he end o- he

#ood s&r-a%e in on". se%onds5 The r&sh o- s*eed 2&rss hroh me, "i1e 2&22"es *o**in# on he

s&r-a%e o- waer5 I don0 wan o hin1 o- her as -aser han Corr, 2& she m&s 2e %"ose5


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An.wa., how %an I 1now, wiho& him here>

I0s 2e#innin# o #e ro%1.5 ;hen I mo+e o s"ow her, he *ie2a"d %o&rses &*ward in a rear, her

eeh sna**in#, *redaor.5

A"" o- a s&dden she sme""s o+erwhe"min#". o- he sea5 (o o- he 2ea%h, whi%h is wha mos

*eo*"e hin1 is he odor o- he sea5 (o o- seaweed, or o- sa", 2& o- .o&r head 2eneah hes&r-a%e, 2reahin# waer, "&n#s -&"" o- he o%ean5 The iron has no e--e% as we *e" oward he

waer5

M. -in#ers wor1 hroh her mane, .in# 1nos in hrees and se+ens5 I sin# in her ear, and a""

he whi"e m. inside hand &rns her in sma""er and sma""er %ir%"es, ea%h one awa. -rom he

waer5 (ohin# is s&re5

As we %har#e a%ross he sand, he ma#i% in her %a""s o me, insidio&s5 Pre%io&s "i"e o- m. 2are

s1in o&%hes her : a wris a#ains her ne%1, *erha*s, hohm. "e# is #&arded insidem. 2oos5

?& si"", her *&"se h&ms hroh me5 3&""in# me o r&s5 Com*e""in# me o 9oin her in he sea5

I0s on". a de%ade o- ridin# doens o- he waer horses ha a""owsme o remem2er m.se"-5

And on". 2are".5

E+er.hin# inme sa.s o a2andon he sr#"e5 F". wih her ino he waer5

Threes5 Se+ens5 Iron a%rossm. *a"m5

I whis*er' 6)o& wi"" no 2e he one o drown me58

I -ee"s "i1e min&es o s"ow her, o 2rin# her 2a%1 oward Gorr., 2& i0s *ro2a2". on". se%onds5

And a"" he whi"e her ne%1 si"" -ee"s sna1. o me and her eeh are si"" 2ared in a wa. ha no

"and horse wo&"d *resen hem5 She0s rem2"in# 2eneah me5

I0s hard o -or#e how swi- she was5

6$idn0 I e"" .o& she was he -ases hin# .o&0d e+er ride>8 Gorr. as1s5

I s"ide o-- her and hand him he reins5 He a1es hem wih a *&"ed e*ression on his a"read.

*&"in# -a%e5

I sa., 6This mare is #oin# o 1i"" someone58

6He. now,8 Gorr. o29e%s5 Then' 6The.0+e a"" 1i""ed someone58

6I wan no *ar o- her,8 I sa., e+en hoh *ar o- me does5

6Someone e"sewi"" 2&. her,8 Gorr. sa.s5 6And hen .o& wi"" 2e sorr.58

6Tha someone e"se wi"" 2e dead,8 I re*".5 6Throw her 2a%158

I &rn awa.5

?ehindme, I hear Gorr. sa., 6She0s -aser han .o&r red sa""ion58

6Throw her 2a%1,8 I re*ea, no &rnin# aro&nd5

I 1now hewon05


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CHAPTER SEVE(


37/322

P4C7

I didn0 re%1on ha i wo&"d 2e aw-&"5

?& he who"e is"and is %rammed ono he 2ea%h, i -ee"s "i1e5 Finn %on+in%ed &s o a1e he

Morris, whi%h *rom*". 2ro1e down, so we arri+ed a-er 9&s a2o& e+er.2od. e"se5 In -ron o-

&s, here are wo seas' one -ar/o-- o%ean o- dee* 2"&e and one seehin# mass o- horses and

men5 A"" o- hem are men, no a #ir" amon# hem &n"ess .o& %o&n Tomm. Fa"1 2e%a&se his "i*s

are so *re.5 The men are a ho&sand imes "o&der han he o%ean5 I don0 see how he. %an

rain or mo+e or 2reahe5 The.0re a"" sho&in# a he horses and a ea%h oher5 I0s "i1e a 2i#

ar#&men, 2& I %an0 e"" who0s mad a who5

Finn and I 2oh hesiae on he "on# s"o*ed *ah down o he 2ea%h5 The #ro&nd 2eneah o&r

-ee is &ne+en wih di+os -rom horses ha ha+e 2een "ed down a"read.5 Finn -rowns as he

"oo1s a he %o""e%ion o- *eo*"e and anima"s5 ?& m. e.e is %ah insead 2. a horse #a""o*in#

a he -arawa. ed#e o- he s&%1ed/o& ide5 I is 2ri#h red, "i1e -resh 2"ood, wih a sma"", dar1

-i#&re %ro&%hed "ow on is 2a%15 E+er. -ew srides, he horse0s hoo+es hi he +er. ed#e o- he

s&r- and waer s*ra.s &*5

The si#h o- he horse #a""o*in#, sre%hed o&, 2reah"ess". -as, is so 2ea&i-&" ha m. e.es

*ri%1"e5

6Tha one "oo1s "i1e wo horses s&%1 o#eher,8 Finn sa.s5

His o2ser+aion *&""s m. #ae awa. -rom he red horse and %"oser o he %"i--s5

6Tha0s a *ie2a"d,8 I e"" him5 The mare he0s #es&rin# o is snow. whie s*"ashed wih 2i#

*a%hes o- 2"a%15 (ear her wihers she has a sma"" 2"a%1 s*o ha "oo1s "i1e a 2"eedin# hear5 A

in. "i"e #nome o- a man in a 2ow"er ha is "eadin# her awa. -rom he ohers5

6Tha0s a *ie2a"d,08 mimi%s Finn5 I sma%1 him and "oo1 2a%1 o where he red horse and rider

were, 2& he.0re #one5

I -ee" sran#e". *& o&5 6I #&ess we sho&"d #o down,8 I sa.5

6Is e+er.2od. down here oda.>8 Finn as1s5

6S&re "oo1s "i1e i58

6How are .o& #oin# o #e a horse>8

?e%a&se I don0 ea%". ha+e an answer, he =&esion anno.s me5 I0m anno.ed e+en more when

I noi%e we0re 2oh sandin# in ea%". he same *osiion, so eiher I was sandin# "i1e m.

2roher or he was sandin# "i1e me5 I a1e m. hands o& o- m. *o%1es and sna*, 6Is his ridd"e

da.> Are .o& #oin# o as1 me =&esions a"" da.>8

Finn ma1es his mo&h and his e.e2rows ino *ara""e" "ines5 He0s +er. #ood a his -a%e, a"hoh

I don0 1now ea%". wha i means5 ;hen he was "i"e, M&m %a""ed him a -ro# 2e%a&se o- his


38/322

-a%e5 (ow ha he someimes has o sha+e, i doesn0 "oo1 som&%h "i1e an am*hi2ian5

An.wa., hema1es he -ro# -a%e and sid"es o-- ino he %ommoion5 For a momen, I hin1 a2o&

#oin# a-er him, 2& I0m s&dden". *ased o he #ro&nd 2. a shri"" wai"5

I0s he *ie2a"d mare5 She0s se*araed -rom he ohers, "oo1in# 2a%1 eiher oward hem or

oward he sea5 Her head0s hrown 2a%1, 2& she0s no whinn.in#5 She0s s%reamin#5

The 1eenin# %&s hroh he wind, he so&nd o- he s&r-, he 2&s"e o- a%i+i.5 I0s he wai" o-

an an%ien *redaor5 I0s one ho&sand mi"es awa. -rom an. so&nd ha a na&ra" horse wo&"d

ma1e5

And i0s horri2"e5

A"" I %an hin1 is' Is his he "as hin# m. *arens heard>

I am #oin# o "ose m. ner+e i- I don0 #e ono he 2ea%h ri#h now5 I 1now i5 I %an -ee" i5 M.

"im2s -ee" "i1e seaweed5 I0m so wo22". ha I a"mos &rn m. an1"e on one o- he di+os "e- 2.

he hoo+es5 I0m re"ie+ed when he *ie2a"dmare so*s her %r.in#, 2& I si"" %an0 i#nore ha he%a*ai"" &is%e don0 e+en sme"" "i1e *ro*er horses as I #e %"oser o hem5 $o+e sme""s so-, a""

ha. and #rass and mo"asses5 The %a*ai"" &is%e sme"" "i1e sa" and mea and wase and -ish5

I r. o 2reahe hroh m.mo&h and no hin1 a2o& i5 There are do#s %areenin# aro&ndm.

"e#s and no2od. is "oo1in# where he0s #oin#5 Horses are %"awin# a he air and men are haw1in#

ins&ran%e and *roe%ion o he riders5 The.0re more ri"ed &* han erriers in a 2&%her sho*5

I0m #"ad ha Finn0s sormed o-- 2e%a&se he idea o- him seein# me oa"". 2ewi"dered seems

&n2eara2"e5

The r&h is, I ha+e a +er. roh idea o- how o #o a2o& se%&rin# a horse -or he ra%e wiho&

mone. &* -ron, 2& i0s mos". 2ased on hin#s ha we &sed o a"1 a2o& in s%hoo", when he

2o.s wo&"d a"" 2oas ha he. were #oin# o ride in he ra%es when he. #rew &*5 The. ne+er

rea"". did@ mos". he. 9&s mo+ed awa. o hemain"and or 2e%ame -armers, 2& heir 2i# *"ans

were a #ood so&r%e o- in-ormaion5 Es*e%ia"". sin%e m. -ami". was one o- he -ew ha didn0

-o""ow he ra%es5

6Gir"


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no he ni%es o- names5 Someimes he 2o.s wear hem i- he. wan o 2e seen as re2e"s5

Mos". i 9&s means he.0re *issers5

Tomm. sho&s, 6I didn0 hear .o& ri#h58

?& I 1now he did5 He 9&s doesn0 2e"ie+e wha he heard5 $ad on%e said *eo*"e0s 2rains are

hard o- hearin#5 I doesn0 maer i- Tomm.0s sone/%o"d dea- on a *"ae, hoh, 2e%a&se I%a%h a #"im*se o- a 2ow"er ha, on he head o- he "i"e #nome/manwho had he *ie2a"dmare

ear"ier5

6Than1s,8 I e"" Tomm., hoh he hasn0 rea"". he"*ed5 I "ea+e him 2ehind and wind hroh

he %rowd oward he #nome5 4* %"ose, he man does no "oo1 =&ie so shor, 2& he does "oo1

"i1e his -a%e has 2een hi so"id". a -ew imes wih a 2ri%1, wi%e o rea"". s=&ish i and on%e more

-or #oodmeas&re5

He is ar#&in# wih someone5

6Sean 7endri%1,8 s*is he mon#er, whi%h is a name ha so&nds -ami"iar -or some reason,

es*e%ia"". said in ha disdain-&" noe5 The 2ow"er/haed #nome doesn0 ha+e a #nome/"i1e

+oi%e a a""5 His +oi%e is "ined wih %i#aree smo1e and he *&s #ri. h0s a he 2e#innin# o- his

words5 6Heh5 His head0s ha"- -&"" o- sa" waer5;ha0s he sa.in# a2o& m. horses, now>8

6I don0 "i1e o re*ea i,8 re*"ies he oher -i#&re *o"ie".5 I0s $r5 Ha"sa", wih his shin. 2"a%1 hair

*ared nea". on he side5 I "i1e $r5 Ha"sa"5 He0s +er. "e+e"headed and he0s a +er. %om*a%, id.

sor o- *erson, who reminds me o- a drawin# o- a *erson insead o- an a%&a" *erson5 I waned

o marr. him when I was si5

6He0s %ra. as he o%ean,8 sa.s he 2ow"er/haed mon#er5 6Come now, i- .o& 2a%1 her, .o&0""

wan her58

6A"" he same,8 $r5 Ha"sa" sa.s, 6I0m a-raid I0m #oin# o ha+e o *ass58

6She0s -as as he de+i",8 he #nome sa.s, 2& he do%or is a"read. rereain#, and his 2a%1

doesn0 "isen5

6E%&se me,8 I sa., and m. +oi%e so&nds +er. hi#h o me5 The #nome &rns5 His misma%hed

-a%e is -earsome when ma%hed wih an irria2"e e*ression5 I r. o or#anie m. hohs ino

a res*e%a2"e/so&ndin# =&esion5 6$o .o& do -i-hs>8

Fi-hs is anoher hin# I "earned a2o& -rom he da.dreamin# 2o.s5 I0s #am2"in#, more or "ess5

Someimes a mon#er wi"" "e .o& ha+e a horse -or nohin# on he %ondiion ha whae+er .o&

win in he ra%e, he. #e -o&r/-i-hs o- i5 Tha0s no rea"". an.hin#, &n"ess .o& %ome in -irs5

Then .o& %o&"d 2&. he who"e is"and, i- .o& waned5 ;e"", a "eas mos o- S1armo&h, e%e*

-or wha ?en9aminMa"+ern owns5

The #nome "oo1s a me5

6(o,8 he sa.s5 ?& I %an e"" wha he rea"". means is (o -or .o&5

I -ee" a "i"e sha1. inside, 2e%a&se i hadn0 o%%&rred o me ha he. wo&"d sa. no : were

here haman. *eo*"e who wo&"d ride %a*ai"" &is%e ha he mon#ers %o&"d 2e %hoos.> I hear

m.se"- sa., 6O1a.5 Co&"d .o& *oin me oward someone e"se who mi#h>8 I add, h&rried".,6Sir,8 2e%a&se $ad on%e said ha sa.in# 6sir8 ma1es #en"emen o& o- r&--ians5


40/322

The #nome sa.s, 6?ow"er has5 As1 0em58

Some r&--ians sa. r&--ians5 ;hen I was .o&n#er, I wo&"d ha+e s*i on his shoes, 2& M&m had

2ro1enme o- he ha2i wih he he"* o- a sma"" 2"&e soo" and a "o o- soa*5

So I 9&s "ea+e wiho& sa.in# han1s : he was e+en "ess he"* han *re. Tomm. Fa"1 : and I

wind m. wa. hroh he %rowd "oo1in# -or he ne 2ow"er ha, on". o #e he same res&"s5A"" o- hem sa. no o he #in#er/haired #ir"5 The. don0 e+en %onsider i5 One -rowns and one

"ahs and one doesn0 e+en "e me -inishm. senen%e5

?. now i0s "&n%hime and m. soma%h is snar"in# a me5 There are *eo*"e haw1in# -ood o he

riders, 2& i0s e*ensi+e and e+er.hin# sme""s "i1e 2"ood and 2ad -ish5 There0s no si#n o- Finn5

The ide is sarin# o %ree* in and some o- he "ess 2ra+e so&"s ha+e a"read. "e- he 2ea%h5 I

rerea a 2i and *ress m. 2a%1 a#ains he %ha"1 %"i--, m. hands s*read o& on he %o"d s&r-a%e5

Se+era" -ee a2o+e m. head, he %ha"1 is "i#her, mar1in# where he waer wi"" rise in a -ew

ho&rs5 I ima#ine sandin# here &ni" i does, sa" waer s"ow". swa""owin#me5

Tears o- -r&sraion 2&rn 2ehind m. e.es5 The wors o- i is ha I0m sor o- #"ad he. a"" said no5These erri-.in#monsers are no a a"" "i1e $o+e, and I %an0 e+en sar o ima#ine m.se"- r.in#

one o&, m&%h "ess a1in# i home and rainin# i o ea e*ensi+e, 2"ood. mea insead o- me5

In he s&mmer, %hi"dren someimes %a%h dra#on-"ies and ie srin#s ro&nd hem, 9&s 2ehind

heir e.es, and "ead hem "i1e he. are *es5 Those dra#on-"ies are wha hese #rown men "oo1

"i1e wih he %a*ai"" &is%e5 The horses dra# hem aro&nd "i1e he. ha+e no wei#h whasoe+er5

;hawo&"d he. do ome>

I "oo1 o& a%ross he sea5 C"ose o he shore, he waer is &r=&oise in *"a%es where whie ro%1s

ha+e -a""en -rom he %"i--s ino he waer, and 2"a%1 where dar1 2rown 1e"* %o+ers he 2o&"ders5

Somewhere a%ross a"" hese 2&%1es o- waer are he %iies we0"" "ose Ga2e o5 I 1now we0""

ne+er see him a#ain5 I won0 maer ha he0s si"" a"i+e somewhere@ i wi"" 2e 9&s as 2ad as

M&m and $ad5

M&m "i1ed o sa. ha some hin#s ha**en -or a reason, ha someimes o2sa%"es were here

o so* .o& -rom doin# somehin# s&*id5 She said his o me a "o5 ?& when she said i o

Ga2e, $ad o"d him ha someimes i 9&s means .o& need o r. harder5

I a1e a dee* 2reah and head 2a%1 oward he on". 2ow"er ha who doesn0 a+oid m. e.e5 The

#nome5 He has on". one horse in his hands now' he *ie2a"d mare ha s%reamed ear"ier5

6Heh, .o&


41/322

her ha"er5 She is dro*/dead #or#eo&s and a2so"&e". #ian5 I -ee" I %o&"d sa%1 $o+e on o* o-

$o+e and on". hen 2e a2"e o "oo1 he *ie2a"d in her wi"d e.e5 She sin1s "i1e a %or*se washed

&* a-er a sorm5 She e.es one o- he "oose do#s ha dars aro&nd he 2ea%h5 Somehin# a2o&

her #ae is dee*". &nse"in#5

6Then .o& wo&"dn0 mind a1in# a #am2"e on her,8 I sa.5 I -ee" *e&"an 2& I r. o so&nd

2&siness"i1e5 I0s no he easies hin# in he wor"d r.in# o 2e reaed "i1e an ad&" d&rin# ane#oiaion when he idea o- dri+in# a s&%%ess-&" 2ar#ain is ma1in# .o& a "i"e si%1 o .o&r

soma%h5

6I0m no in hemood o %ome 2a%1 and %o""e%,8 hemon#er sa.s5

I %ross m. arms5 I *reend I0m Ga2e5 He has a wa. o- "oo1in# 2oh &nim*ressed and

disineresed when he0s rea"". 2oh o- hese hin#s5 I so&nd as 2ored as *ossi2"e5 6Eiher she0s

e+er.hin# .o& sa., or she isn05 I- she0s he -ases hin# on -o&r "e#s, don0 .o& r&s her o win

more han .o& %o&"d se"" her -or>8

The #nome e.esme5 6I0s no her I don0 r&s58

I #"ower a him5 6I was 9&s hin1in# he same hin#58

He #rins s&dden".5

6Ge &* on her, hen,8 he mon#er sa.s5 63e0s see wha .o& #o58 He 9er1s his head oward his

sadd"e, i**ed &* on is *omme" on he sand5

I a1e a dee* 2reah and r. no o remem2er her s%ream -rom ear"ier5 I r. no o hin1 a2o&

how m. *arens died5 I need o hin1 a2o& Ga2e and his -a%e when he said ha he was "ea+in#5

I -ee" "i1em. hands are -"&erin#, 2& he.0re =&ie si"" a m. sides5

I %an do his5


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CHAPTER EIGHT


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P4C7

Themon#er "eads hemare &* o one o- he 1e"*/%o+ered 2o&"ders -or me o &se as a mo&nin#

2"o%15 She -id#es aro&nd and aro&nd, ne+er =&ie %"ose enoh o i5 She won0 so* "oo1in# a

he do# ha0s ho+erin# aro&nd ineresed in someone0s re9e%ed 2rea1-as near her hoo+es5

Thewind is %o"d onm. ne%1 and m. oes are n&m2 "i"e sones in m. 2oos5

6She0s no #ein# an. si""er han his,8 he mon#er sa.s5 6Are .o& on or o-->8

M. hands are 2a""ed ino -iss o 1ee* hem -rom 2era.in# me5 A"" I %an hin1 o- is hose

massi+e eeh *&""in# m. *arens down ino he o%ean5 I0s no e+en -ear ha0s so**in# me

ri#h now5 I0s ima#inin# hem wa%hin# me -rom where+er he. mi#h 2e : Can he. see his

2ea%h -rom hea+en> Ma.2e he %"i--s 2"o%1 he +iew : and hin1in# a2o& wha he. wo&"d

sa.5 The.0d a"wa.s s%o--ed a he ra%es and he horses had 1i""ed hem in heir 2oa and now

here I was #oin# o #e on one o- hem o ride in he ra%es5 I %an 9&s ima#ine $ad0s -a%e and he

wa. a sma"" semi%ir%"e wrin1"e a**eared on his &**er "i* when he #o dis#&sed or

disa**oined5

Themare 9er1s her head &*@ he #nome is near". "i-ed -rom his -ee5

There has o 2e anoher wa.5 There has o 2e somehin# I %an do ha wi"" 1ee* me o-- his

horse5 ?& how %an I ride in he ra%es wiho& her>

I rea"ie hen ha Finn has a**eared -rom nowhere o sand 2eside he 2o&"der I0m 2a"an%ed

on5 He doesn0 sa. an.hin#5 His -in#ers are *in%hin# his &**er arms o+er and o+er a#ain as he

"oo1s &* ame, 2& he doesn0 seem o noi%e hem5

6So* ha,8 I e"" him, and he so*s5 I hin1 I0+emade &*m.mind5

6Gir"ie,8 he mon#er sa.s5 6Come on now58 The mare0s m&s%"es sh&dder 2eneah her s1in5

This isn0 who I am5

I sa., 6I0m sorr.5 I0+e %han#ed m.mind58

I 9&s ha+e ime o see him ro"" his e.es when e+er.hin# 2e%omes a 2"&r o- moion5 There is a

s&r#e o- 2"a%1 and whie, and a sho+e *&shes me -rom he 2o&"der5 M. 2reah #as*s o& in wo

massi+e *&--s as m. 2a%1 s"ams he #ro&nd5 Par o- m. -a%e #oes warm and we5 As he mare

rears a2o+e me, I rea"ie ha here is somehin# s%reamin# a he same ime I rea"ie ha he

weness on m. -a%e is 2"ood, %omin# -rom a2o+e, no -rom me5 $rainin# -rom he hin# in he

*ie2a"d mare0s 9aws5

I ro"" o& o- he wa. o- he hoo+es, s%r&22in# sand -rom m. e.es, r.in# o srai#hen5 Tr.in# o

#e m. 2reah 2a%15 Tr.in# o see5 The mare %ro&%hes, sha1in# her dar1 =&arr.5 She0s ri**in# i,

ho"din# *ar downwih a hoo-5 The sand *oo"s 2"ood5

I s%ream Finn0s name5


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(ow he mare osses *ar o- her +i%im ame, ears -"aened 2a%15 I ha"- #as*, ha"- so2, 9&m*in#

2a%1 -rom he 2"ood. 9oin5 There0s somehin# srin#. %omin# o& o- i, "i1e 9e"".-ish ena%"es5 I

wan o 9&s 1nee" down and so* hin1in#5

The *ie%e in -ron o- me is %o+ered wih shor, dar1 hair, maed wih sand and 2"ood5 I0s a

r&in, a"mos &nre%o#nia2"e5 I am in dan#er o- hrowin# &*5

I0s he do#5

Peo*"e are sho&in#, 6Sean 7endri%1


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CHAPTER (I(E


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SEA(

Tha e+enin#, "on# a-er e+er.one is dri+en in"and 2. he hi#h ide, I 2rin# Corr down o he

2ea%h5 O&r shadows are #ians 2e-ore &s@ his ime o- .ear, i #es dar1 a -i+e and he sand is

a"read. %oo"in#5 I "ea+e m. sadd"e and 2oos a he o* o- he 2oa ram*, where #rass si"" #rows

hroh he so- sand5 Corr0s e.es are on he o%ean as i s"ow". s"ides 2a%1 oward "ow ide5

;e "ea+e -resh *rins in he hard/*a%1ed sand he ide0s "e- 2ehind@ i is -ri#id a#ains m. 2are

-ee, es*e%ia"". when %o"d seawaer *resses o& o- he #ro&nd aro&nd m. s1in5 M. 2"isered

-ee we"%ome i5

End o- he -irs da., he end"ess -irs da.5 The 2ea%h has had is share o- %as&a"ies5 One 2o. -e""

o-- and 2"oodied his -orehead on a 2o&"der5 Anoher man #o 2ien, an im*ressi+e/"oo1in#

wo&nd, 2& nohin# a *in and a -ew ho&rs o- s"ee* won0 -i5 And hen here was he do#5 I

%o&"dn0 2e s&r*rised ha is maimin# was he *ie2a"d mare0s handiwor15

A"" in a"", here0+e 2een worse sars o he rainin#5

This e+enin#, he re#israion wi"" sar a Graon0s5 I0"" *& m. name and Corr0s here, hoh a

his *oin i -ee"s "i1e a -orma"i.5 Then here wi"" 2e a -rani% wee1 o- &n%erain is"anders and

o&riss r.in# o& horses o see i- he. ha+e he ner+e o r&". ra%e, and i- he. do, i- he. ha+e

he ner+e o ra%e on he horse he. ha+e 2eneah hem5 Horses wi"" 2e 2oh, so"d, 2arered5

Men 2e%ome owners, -i-hs, riders5 I0s a -r&srain# ime -or me5 Too m&%h ne#oiaion and no

enoh rainin#5 I0s a"wa.s a re"ie- when he -esi+a" ends he -irs wee1 and -or%es riders o

o--i%ia"". de%"are heir mo&ns5

Tha0s rea"". when "i-e 2e#ins5

Corr "i-s his head, ears *ri%1ed, ne%1 %&r+ed, as i- he0s %o&rin# he S%or*io sea5 I whis*er o

him and his "ead5 I0s me I wan him *a.in# aenion o, no he son# o- his *ower-&"

waer5 I wa%h his e.e, his ears, he "ine o- his 2od., o see whose +oi%e wi"" 2e more *oen

oni#h, mine or he o%ean0s5

He 9er1s his head oward me so -as ha I ha+e an iron rod o& o- m. *o%1e 2e-ore he0s

-inished his &rn5 ?& he wasn0 aa%1in#, mere". mo+in# o s&d. mewih his #ood e.e5

I r&s Corr more han an. o- hem5

I sho&"d no r&s him a a""5

His ne%1 is so-, hoh he s1in aro&nd his e.es is i#h, so ino he s&r- we #o5 I "e m. 2reah

o& in a r&sh as he %o"d waer %ree*s &* m. an1"es5 And hen we sand here, and I wa%h him

a#ain, seein# wha e--e% he ma#i% edd.in# aro&nd his an1"es has5 He shi+ers 2& doesn0

ense@ we ha+e done his 2e-ore and he monh is .o&n#5 I %&* a hand-&" o- sa" waer and i* i

ono his sho&"der, m. "i*s *ressed a#ains his s1in, whis*erin#5 Si"" he sands5 So I sand wih

him and "e he #ri. s&r- wor1 onm. ired -ee5

Corr, red as he s&nse, "oo1s o& o he o%ean5 The shore -a%es eas and so he "oo1s o& o


47/322

ni#h, dee* 2"&e and hen 2"a%1, he s1. and he waer mirror ima#es5 O&r shadows -a"" ino he

o%ean, oo, %han#in# %o"ors wih he 2rea1ers and -oam 2eneah hem5 ;hen I "oo1 a Corr0s

shadow, I see an e"e#an #ian5 ;hen I "oo1 o mine, -or he -irs ime, I seem. -aher0s shadow5

(o =&ie m. -aher0s5 M. sho&"ders don0 ha+e his s"i#h h&n%h, as i- a#ains *er*e&a" %o"d5

And his hair was "on#er5 ?& i is here in he ri#id *os&re, he %hin a"wa.s "i-ed, a horseman

e+en on he #ro&nd5

I am %ah o-- #&ard, so when Corr mo+es &* and awa., I do nohin#5 He is in a ha"-/rear

2e-ore I rea"ie i, 2& hen he 2rin#s 2oh his hoo+es down in he ea% same *"a%e he. "e-,

ma1in# a mi#h. wa"" o- waer s*ra. m. -a%e5 I sand here, sa" in m. mo&h, and I see ha his

ears are *ri%1ed ame, ne%1 ar%hed5

For he -irs ime in da.s, I "ah5 In res*onse o he so&nd, Corr sha1es his head and ne%1 "i1e a

do# sheddin# waer5 I 2a%1 &* a -ew se*s in he waer and he -o""ows me, and hen I %ome

a-er him and 1i%1 a s*"ash a his 2od.5 He win%es, "oo1in# dee*". wo&nded, and hen *aws o

s*"ash me in re&rn5 ?a%1 and -orh we #o : I ne+er ha+e m. 2a%1 o him : as he -o""ows me

and I him5 He *reends o drin1 he waer and osses his head in mo%1 dis#&s5 I *reend o

drin1 a hand-&" and hrow i a him5

Fina""., I am o& o- 2reah and m. -ee are sore -rom he *e22"es and he waer is near". oo

%o"d o 2ear5 I #o o Corr and he "owers his head, *ressin# his -a%e a#ains m. %hes@ he is warm

hroh m. soa1ed shir5 I ra%e a "eer on he s1in 2ehind his ears, o si"" him, and I r&2 m.

-in#ers hroh his mane, o si"" me5

(o oo -ar awa., I hear a disan s*"ash5 I %o&"d 2e a -ish, a"hoh i wo&"d ha+e o 2e sia2"e

-or me o hear i o+er he 2rea1ers5 I "oo1 o& o+er he sea as i &rns o 2"a%15

I don0 hin1 i is a -ish, and neiher does Corr, who is a#ain "oo1in# o& oward he horion5

(ow he rem2"es, and when I 2a%1 o& o- he s&r-, i a1es a "on# min&e o %on+in%e him o

-o""ow5 He a1es one s"ow se*, hen anoher, &ni" he waer is no "on#er o&%hin# him, and

hen he so*s, ri#id "e##ed5 He "oo1s 2a%1 o he sea, "i-s his head, and %&r"s 2a%1 his "i*5

I sna* he "ead shar*". and *ress he iron ino Corr0s %hes, 2e-ore he %an %a""5 ;hi"e he0s in m.

hands hewon0 sin# heir son#5

As I wa"1 2a%1 &* he #rad&a" s"o*e o he 2oa s"i*, I see si"ho&ees a he o* o- he road o

S1armo&h5 The. are sandin# a he rid#e where i mees he s1., 2"a%1 a#ains *&r*"e5 Thoh

he.0re disan, one o- hem is he &nmisa1a2". #ra%e"ess -orm o- M& Ma"+ern5 Their *os&re

is &ndenia2". ineresed in m. *ro#ress, so I0m war. as I ma1e m. wa.5

I doesn0 a1eme "on# o dis%o+er haM&Ma"+ern has *issed inm. 2oos5

The.0re "ahin# now on he rid#e5 I won0 #i+e M& he sais-a%ion o- m. dis#&s, so I i* he

2oos o& : his 2ea%h is oo #ood -or his &rine : and ie heir "a%es o#eher5 I "e hem han#

on eiher side o- he sadd"e on Corr0s 2a%1 and sar &* he s"o*e5 Thoh i0s near". dar1,

here0s si"" a "o o #e done@ I ha+e o 2e o Graon0s 2e-ore en5 The da. sre%hes o& in -ron

o-me, in+isi2"e in he dar1ness5

;e %"im2 in"and5

M. 2oos sme"" o- *iss5


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CHAPTER TE(


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P4C7

I0s 2een a "on# ime sin%e I0+e 2een in S1armo&h a-er dar1, and i reminds me o- he ime ha

$ad %& his hair5 For he -irs se+en .ears o- m. "i-e, $ad had dar1 %&r". hair ha was "i1e me :

in ha he o"d i -irs hin# in he mornin# wha he waned i o do and hen i wen and did

*re. m&%h whae+er i waned o do5 An.wa., when I was se+en, $ad %ame 2a%1 -rom he

do%1s wih his hair %"ose sha+en and when I saw him wa"1 in he door and 1iss m. moher on

hemo&h, I sared o %r. 2e%a&se I hoh hewas a sran#er5

And ha0s wha S1armo&h has done, a-er dar1' I0s &rned ino an enire". di--eren

S1armo&h -rom he one I0+e 1nown m. who"e "i-e, and I don0 -ee" "i1e "ein# i 1iss me on he

mo&h an.ime soon5 (i#h has *ained he enire own dar1 2"&e5 A"" o- he 2&i"din#s *ressa#ains ea%h oher and, %"in#in# o he ro%1s, *eer down ino he end"ess 2"a%1 =&a. 2eneah

hem5 Sree"i#hs ma1e 2ri""ian ha"os@ *a*er "i#hs %raw" a"on# wires ied o e"e*hone *o"es5

The. "oo1 "i1e Chrismas "i#hs or -ire-"ies, s*ira"in# &* oward he -ain dar1 o&"ine o- S5

Co"&m2a0s a2o+e he own5 There is a "e#ion o- 2i%.%"es "eaned a#ains wa""s, and more %ars

han I 1new eised on he enire is"and are *ar1ed a"on# he srees, sree"i#hs %ah in heir

windshie"ds5 The %ars ha+e dis#or#ed &n-ami"iar men and he 2i%.%"es ha+e 2&%1ed o-- ha"-/

-ami"iar 2o.s5 I0+e on". e+er seen his man. *eo*"e in he srees on -air da.s5

I0s ma#i%a" and erri-.in#5 I -ee" "os, and I0m on". in S1armo&h5 I %an0 ima#ine Ga2ema1in# his

wa. on he main"and5

6P&%1 Conno"".,8 sho&s a +oi%e ha I 1now 2e"on#s o Bose*h ?erin#er5 6Isn0 i *as .o&r

2edime>8

I *ar1 Finn0s 2i%.%"e as %"ose o he 2&%her0s as I %an #e i and "ean i a#ains hemea" rai" ha

is mean o 1ee* .o& -rom -a""in# ino he =&a. &n"ess .o& a2so"&e". mean o5 The waer sme""s

weird and -ish. oni#h and I *eer down o see i- here are an. -ishermen0s 2oas down here o

a%%o&n -or he sme""5 There0s nohin# 2& 2"a%1 waer and re-"e%ions, ma1in# i "oo1 "i1e here

is anoher S1armo&h s&2mer#ed &nder he sa" waer5

Bose*h %rows somehin# e"se ha I don0 *a. an. mind o5 In a wa., I0m #rae-&" ha Bose*h0s

here 2ein# an oa-, 2e%a&se he0s s&%h a -i&re o- "i-e here ha he ma1es e+er.hin# e"se seemmore -ami"iar5

M. head 9er1s as Bose*h *&""s m. *on.ai"5 I whir" aro&nd o -a%e him, hands on m. hi*s5 He

#i+es me his oo/2i# smi"e5 He is *im*". &nder his 2"ond hair5 His mo&h #oes whoo "i1e he0s

im*ressed ha I0m "oo1in# a him5

I r. o hin1 o- somehin# %a%h. o sa., 2& here0s nohin# 2& irriaion ha somehin# ha

w

maggiie stiefvater: the scorpio races

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