“Yes, I do. Hopefully it will not take too many years.”
She couldn’t help blurting, “Years!”
“I cannot tell for certain. You see, I am a genius and a poet. For me it’s the dream part that’s solid. The reality is what lacks certitude. That’s one reason why I need human help. Need you.”
125
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE .,.
This time she just stared at him.
“Tomorrow,” continued the horse easily, “you will not marry the man du Sable. Instead, you will sign the formal Control Contract and assume directorship of the Dan family business. You have the ability and brains to handle it. With my assistance the firm will prosper beyond the wildest dreams of your sire or any of the investors.
“In return, I will deed you a part of my dream, some of my poetry, and something few humans have had for millennia. I would not know of this last thing myself had I not chanced across it in the Imperial
archives.”
She was silent for a brief moment, then spoke
brightly,
“I have a few questions.”
“Of course.”
“First, I’d like to know if horses as a species are insane, or if you are merely an isolated case.”
He sighed, tossing his mane. “I didn’t expect words to convince you.” The long black hair made sailor’s knots with sunbeams. “Do you know the Meadows of
Blood?”
“Only by name.” She was fascinated by the mention of the forbidden place. “They’re in the Ravaged Mountains. It’s rumored to be rather a pretty place. But no one goes there. The winds above the canyon make it fatal to arrears.”
“I have a car outside,” the horse whispered. “The driver is mal and knows of a winding route by which, from to time, it is possible to reach the Meadows, The winds war only above them. They are named, by the way, for the color of the flora there and not for a bit of human history . . . unusual.