Free The Eye of Elicion: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol 1 by Rachel Ronning Page A

else,” said Justin.
    “You watched?”
    “Some, I got out of class early and knew you would be here.”
    “Well, admittedly, I only deserve some of the credit. Ash did all the work.”
    “Ash?” asked Justin quickly, suddenly very interested.
    “Yes, the horse I was riding.”
    “Ok,” replied Justin, trying to figure out a way to nonchalantly find out more information without giving any himself. “How did she do most of the work?”
    “I introduced myself, just like with the moonstones and she instructed me on what to do. We had a deal. She would run through the cones and I did my best not to fall off.”
    “I’m glad you two had a lovely chat.”
    “Oh, we did. I can’t wait until next class. Do all the horses talk?”
    “Yes and no,” replied Justin carefully. “All animals talk; not all people listen. Nor are they always able to communicate.”
    “You can talk to them, can’t you?” asked Lucy.
    “Yes, I have talent in that area. In fact, where I work is with the magical creatures. That’s where I picked up the talent.”
    “Can I come to work with you sometime? I’m curious to see what other animals I can talk to.”
    “Sure,” said Justin slightly surprised, but pleased. “Just remember that not everyone can talk to animals. Don’t expect that others do.” He didn’t want her to know how rare it was that she could talk so well with her mind so early, or even that she could do so at all. It might hamper her growing abilities to know what was usual and not. “By the way, where are we going?”
    “Oh, there’s some time before dinner, and I’m disgusting. I’m going to take a quick shower before dinner,” replied Lucy. She reeked of sweat, horse, and dirt.
    “Ok, I’ll meet you in the Dining Hall.” Justin turned and walked the other direction. He paused, turned around, and came back. “It might be better if you didn’t tell other people you can talk to horses, even Maya and Gavin.”
    “Ok,” agreed Lucy, even though she thought it was odd. Why did it matter if people knew?
    Justin could see that she was going to need more than that, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem to be catching on quickly. The more you seem to be able to do, the more people will expect of you. Also, the more surprised people will be if you are unable to do something.”
    “Like shoot a bow?”
    “Like shoot a bow,” Justin agreed. “That could end up being a lot of pressure on you, and it is only your second day of classes.”
    “True.” That line of reasoning made sense. “I’ll keep it a secret for now, but I’ll still keep talking to horses if that’s ok. It’ll make my riding class easier.”
    “By all means keep talking to horses. I’m not telling you to ignore a gift. Please practice it. I’m just advising you not to shout about what you can do.”
    By this time they had reached Lucy’s room. She smiled to Justin and entered.
    Justin walked down the hallway thinking hard. Lucy was showing more and more promise by the day. It had taken him weeks of concentrating to talk before he had gotten a response from a lemur. Sometimes, even if animals heard you, they did not trust you enough to answer back. Sometimes, when they answered back, you were not listening hard enough to hear them. It had taken him a year to master the skill. At present he had not found an animal he could not talk to. Lucy, out of fear of failure, had called out to a horse, and it had responded. As far as Justin was aware, he and Nerek (the Creature’s teacher) were the only people here who could do it. He knew other people here could talk mind to mind, but people to animal was rare. Justin was highly intrigued by Lucy.
    He was quiet and pensive until dinner. Then, he returned to his charming self. To the best of his knowledge, the happy, tired, and freshly bathed Lucy had not noticed his odd behavior. At least, he hoped not. He was waiting for her to try mind reading some time and end up successful at it.