tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117178152009-12-19T04:53:31.508-05:00In this sequel to The Crystal Pony, we explore the bond between the Princess Auria and the Stablemaster's son, Rigel, while following the children through an adventure filled with danger and excitement.Gayzehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845614357402180322noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11717815.post-1111882843045826952005-03-26T19:15:00.000-05:002005-03-26T19:35:07.023-05:00

IntroductionChapter One: THE SHADOWChapter Two: NIGHT TERRORSChapter Three: SABOTAGE!Chapter Four: YRREN'S FURYChapter Five: CONFRONTATIONChapter Six: QUEEN ALEIAChapter Seven: IN CHAINSChapter Eight: ABDUCTIONChapter Nine: THE SEARCH BEGINSChapter Ten: THE CHIMERAChapter Eleven: MOTIVE AND MADNESSChapter Twelve: THE TRIALChapter Thirteen: HAPPILY EVER AFTER Note: comments are enabled after

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Welcome!I'm pleased to honor the request of readers of The Crystal Pony by publishing the first of two sequels, The Bondchildren. These stories are very dear to my heart, for the characters you will get to know are more than just the imagination of an adult writer. Aury, Rigel, Clairvoyant and company were in fact my own "imaginary friends" of childhood. I hope that meeting the Chimopotamian

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A buffet had been set in the conservatory. The stained-glass garden doors were flung wide to let in the late afternoon sunshine. The lowering sun painted the horizon with glaring brilliance; even the sky was celebrating the day's victory. Rigel enjoyed the breeze that cooled his face as he gazed at the golden lace edging the clouds. The tangy scent of jasmine brushed his mind as it drifted

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Rigel sat in the overstuffed chair at the head of the Princess's bed. He was frustrated. The longing to take her hand nearly overwhelmed him, and his thoughts clung to her drowsy mind. Attendants hovered around the child. Clarion and Aleia oversaw the medics and healers as they poked and prodded and tended to her frail body. The ancient Palace Mage, his pale eyes ringed with dark, tired

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"Why?" The old sorcerer's voice cracked with painful regret as he stared down upon his blood kin. Poseidon writhed on the floor in the grasp of the magical field, his features twisted with madness. "Poseidon, why?" "It should have been me!" The man rolled onto all fours and snarled into the face of his uncle. "I'm your blood. It should have been me!" Clarion shifted his gaze for an instant

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"Rigel, wake up, dear." A soft, worried voice brushed his conscious, and something cool and moist smoothed the heat from his face. The stars that spun all around him slowed and began to lose their brilliance. Gone was Clarion's beacon. Gone was the touch of Clairvoyant's powerful mind. For a moment Rigel feared that the wizards had abandoned him in the blackness of the universe. "Rigel.

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Yrren trembled in fear and fury as his pacing fell into step behind Rigel's. His strong hand landed upon the boy's shoulder, forcing him to turn and face him. Rigel thought he was going to be struck again. The look the youngster met in the King's violet eyes was fierce and frightening--but the anger was not directed toward him. "Young man, I am sorry. This is no one's fault but mine. If I

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"Let me take that." Altair reached for the bale of hay that hung by its twine from Rigel's shackled hands. "Will you cut that out? There's nothing wrong with my body--it's the magic that these things are hurting." He spun from his brother's outstretched arms and tossed the heavy bale to the top of the stack. Rigel paused for a moment, and then turned back to Altair, the expression on his

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Rigel, Primrose perched lightly on his shoulder, was on his way up the stairs when Clairvoyant's mental voice touched his thoughts. "Meet me under the elm." The stable boy startled, nearly unseating the cat, who dug her claws into his back to catch herself. "Yow, Prim," he whispered. He turned to retrace his steps, passing Altair on his way to bed. "Where you going?" the pale twin asked,

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"Rigel." He spun toward the musical voice. His heart stopped in his breast, then surged ahead in double-time. Queen Aleia moved from the shadows into the afternoon sunlight. Her enchanting face was touched with sadness, and she stretched a slender hand toward him. Rigel was horrified by the thought that she had overheard his outburst. His soul contracted in shame. He would never forgive

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"He's crazy, that's what his problem is." Rigel's response to Clairvoyant's attempt to comfort him came forth like an angry growl. They were in Dreamdancer's stall. The stable boy squatted before the mare, kneading her injured leg with strong, gentle hands. "Ho, little Dancer-- I'm sorry, baby." His voice went tender as he soothed the pony, who had startled at his harsh tones. He dipped his

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"Aleia! Take Aury to her chambers," the King commanded. "Zale and the boy--to my meeting room." He vanished, leaving a rippling wake of anger in the air. Queen Aleia reached for Auria and pulled her gently from the stable boy's arms into her own. Rigel's touch slid down her arms and lingered on her trembling hands. She looked into his face--her dainty mouth twitched and her eyes pleaded

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"I want Altair to saddle Dreamdancer this morning." Zale's tone was stern as he forced the pony's lead from Rigel's grasp. He walked away from the boy with stiff, angry strides. "You take care of the twins' geldings." "Why?" Rigel called after his sire, letting his emotions overcome caution. His onyx eyes flared as Zale turned back toward him. "Stay away from her, Rigel. She's trouble to

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It was sunset. The late chores were done. The horses, fed and content, were tucked into clean, fresh stalls for the night. It was the hour every horseman looks forward to--the hour of rest. Rigel brooded in silence, chin upon his knees, in the shadow of the stud barn.Beside him lounged a boy with a guitar, strumming softly and humming to himself in a rich tenor. His hair was the color of the

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There is a place where magic is reality and dreams come true, and physical laws no longer rule. It stretches far and wide across a fleecy cloud-covered landscape and magic teases the soul with every breath of its sweet, crystal air. Chimopotamia, the Kingdom is called, and the events that take place there are often as unusual as its name.Deep in the heart of that Kingdom rises a castle, its

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