She swallowed. She was not going to give the stallion to the evil creature, but she had no means to fight. The knife on her belt was useless against an axe.
She did the only thing she could think of, although it broke her heart to do it.
“No!” She shouted. The stallion broke out of his trance and reared at her outburst. “I’ll not let you have him!”
She threw the rope over Stardust’s neck and slapped him hard on the rear end. The stallion squealed as he reared high in the air. When his front feet hit the ground, he burst into a run away from the Seeker.
“You idiot girl!” The Seeker snarled. He charged, raising his axe to strike her.
Anwen stumbled backwards but tripped over her feet. Falling to the ground with a cry, she rolled to her back and pulled out her knife.
The Seeker pounced on her. The blade flashed in the sunlight as it dropped toward her head. She yelled louder. A sudden wind blew dirt in her face, and a horse screamed a warning.
Stardust came back!
Hooves pounded on the ground. The Seeker turned away from Anwen.
Anwen rolled to the side to grab her knife and struggled to stand. She got to her feet, only to stare in disbelief again. A black Archippi, a winged horse of Adoyni, fought the Seeker. His long wings were tucked by his side while he used his front feet to attack the Seeker.
Are all the myths of old coming true today?
The Seeker roared and swung his axe with a force strong enough to kill if it struck the black neck. Anwen screamed a warning, but the Archippos was faster.
The black winged horse reared high in the air. Using his front hooves, he hit the Seeker on the shoulder. This time the monster roared with pain.
But the Seeker didn’t stop. He swung the axe and launched himself at the Archippos. Anwen yelled again, and this time she let loose her knife.
It flew through the air and got the Seeker in the neck. But the Seeker’s tough skin broke the blade, and the knife dropped uselessly to the ground.
The Archippos dodged the axe again and leaped forward to bite the Seeker’s arm. The Seeker roared in agony and dropped his weapon.
The Seeker leaped through the air to grab his axe. Lunging to his feet, it turned to the black Archippos and yelled, “Get out of my way!”
You will depart from here and never return! A voice rang in Anwen’s head. The stallion is under Adoyni’s protection, and you have no authority.
“Seiten desires the horse,” the Seeker protested. “Give him to me!”
The Archippos twitched an ear. By orders of Adoyni, Lord of all of Eltiria. Now, be gone!
The Seeker yelled in anger, but there was a flash, and the creature vanished in the trees.
Anwen stared as the Archippos snorted, horse-like, and shook his head.
“Th. . . Thank you, sir,” she said.
Your appreciation should go to Adoyni. The black’s voice rang in her head. For He is the one who sent me. And please, I am Daeron.
Anwen shifted on her feet. “Adoyni sent you for me? Why? I’m not anyone special.”
All are special and loved by the Creator, Daeron said. Why else did He allow his only Son Lesu to suffer and die for everyone?
Anwen considered the question. But before she could answer, Daeron continued speaking.
But come. Let us gather that brave stallion. The voice in her head was filled with humor.
Daeron let out a short squeal.
“Stardust? He’s probably far away,” she said.
Daeron didn’t answer. Instead, the sound of hooves trotting grew louder, and the grey stallion burst into the meadow.
Seeing the Archippos and Anwen, the stallion stopped and dropped his head with a long snort. Anwen waited for Daeron to do something, but it seemed like the two horses were having a conversation without her. After some time, Daeron shook his head. His long black mane fell out of his eyes.
He now understands that you were trying to save him, he said. And he is thankful.
As if Stardust knew what Daeron said, he trotted to Anwen and pushed his head into her chest. She grinned and scratched his ears.
Now go the way I will show you, brave stallion, Daeron said. Friends will be along shortly to take care of you.
“Friends?” Anwen questioned. “Why can’t I go with him?”
He is needed for a special task. One only he can do.
“You avoided my question,” Anwen pressed.
Stardust snorted and spun on his back legs. He trotted out of the meadow, favoring his leg, but Anwen knew he would be fine.
When Stardust disappeared in the trees, Daeron continued talking. I did avoid your question. You will not go with him because you will go with me.
Anwen lost all ability to talk.
You are also needed for a special task only you can do. Come now.
“Wh... what for?”
There’s no time. I’ll inform you as we journey. Now get on. We are already late, and they are waiting for you.
“But, I can’t just leave! And Stardust...”
Now, girl! This is not an invitation. This is an order! One you dare not ignore.
Anwen swallowed. She always felt a bit nervous when getting on a new horse, but this was far, far worse. Of course, he would fly. How would she stay on?
I’m waiting. Daeron’s voice had a touch of impatience. And so is the King.
The longer she thought about flying over the mountains with nothing to hold her in, the harder it would be to get on. She took a deep breath and swung onto Daeron’s wide back.
She had barely gripped with her knees when Daeron burst into a run. The force caused her to fall backwards enough that her balance was off. Her face grew red.
He must think I don’t know how to ride.
Anwen pushed herself forward and leaned over Daeron’s neck, determined not to be caught off guard again.
He’ll see. I can ride anything!
Daeron’s laugh rang in her head. Hang on!
He run to the edge of the cliff and extended his wings.
As the ground disappeared from under them, Anwen heard herself yelling. Daeron soared through the air and then beat his giant wings.
Anwen stopped screaming as he climbed higher into the clouds. His long black mane whipped her face, and the air grew colder. But her fear had slipped away with the disappearing ground. This was the ride of her life.
This was where she belonged!
***
Chapter Five
Geona’s Hopes
Geona paced and peered out the window while Mama read the story. If it was good enough, she could go help in the barn. It wouldn’t be as good as riding, but at least the day wouldn’t be a total waste.
“Hm,” Mama put down the last paper. “This is a good story, Geona! You did a great job with the action and plot. However, I’d like to see more of the world and religion as the assignment requested. You only briefly mentioned Adoyni. You didn’t mention anything about this new religion of Zoria that’s completely against Adoyni. On top of that, the geography was weak, and you didn’t mention anything about culture.”
“But it’s a story!” Geona argued. “I couldn’t fit everything in and keep it interesting.”
“I guess that might be true.” Mama flipped through the papers. “Geona, I know you’re excited about us moving to Shalock Stables, but you know it’s not going to be like this, right?”
Geona glanced at the window. A large cloud of dust grew bigger on the horizon.
Papa’s coming in with the horses!
“Geona,” Mama called her name again. “You won’t see Archippi there. And you won’t be rescuing horses. Most of the stories we hear of the Razors are just stories. And you mostly certainly won’t be riding Archippi.”
“But,” Geona said. “You say that the Archippi exist and that they’re servants of Adoyni, right?”
Mama nodded.
“Then why not?” Geona pushed. “The tales alway
s speak of the Archippi coming from the Razors. And why couldn’t I get a horse there? There’s horses everywhere!”
“It’s just not going to happen,” Mama said and put down the paper. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up and then be severely disappointed. It’s going to be just like here. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see who is right - you or me.”
Geona grinned. “I just have a feeling that living at Shalock Stables is going to be a great adventure.”
“I hope not!” Mama laughed. “We have enough adventure between you and Tristan getting into trouble! Now go help Papa. He’ll need you to help calming down those young horses and getting them into their stalls.”
Geona shot out of the house and only slowed as she got to the large arena where the two year olds were herded. But the story lingered in her head. Would she ever get her own horse? Did Adoyni hear her when she prayed for one?
No matter what Mama said, she was sure that Shalock Stables was going to be filled with great adventure!
The Ride Continues...
Book 2
Anwen’s Quest
Fiction on Fire
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2016 Vicki V. Lucas
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, posted on any website, or transmitted in any form or by any means—digital, electronic, scan, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in printed reviews and articles.
For more information, visit www.vickivlucas.com.
Chapter One
The Spark
Geona led the last yearling to the barn. The young bay filly snorted at the stall door and balked. Her front legs were planted firmly at the entrance.
“Easy, girl,” Geona soothed. She stopped urging the horse forward and stroked the soft neck. “No one is going to hurt you here.”
The filly dropped her head to sniff the floor of the barn and exhaled loudly. Geona grinned. The horse wasn’t being bad. She was just being careful. Papa would say she was sensitive, and the other hands would say she was a handful.
“You’ve got the spark, don’t you?” Geona whispered. “You know, only special horses do. It means you’re smart and full of life. If I could have a horse, I’d choose one just like you.”
The bay filly bumped Geona gently with her head. Geona smiled. No, the filly wasn’t bad. Just scared. She scratched the horse’s ears and straightened the tangled black mane.
“Making friends already?” Papa asked.
The filly jerked back at the sound of Papa’s voice, but she relaxed under Geona’s hand.
Geona grinned at Papa. He was wearing his old riding hat. She couldn’t even tell what color it used to be. It had lost its color long before she could remember. “She’s got the spark. Doesn’t want to go into the stall too quickly.”
“Ah, a sensitive one,” Papa winked. “More trouble, just like her mother.”
Geona shot him a quizzical glance.
“Her mother is Moonlight Dancer,” Papa continued.
“Oh, her!” Geona laughed. “I have to admit she was sensitive. Remember how she spooked at your hat every single day?”
Papa groaned. “And how I gave up getting her used to it, so I didn’t wear it and got sunburned?”
Geona chuckled and asked for the filly to enter the stall. The bay paused to consider the risks and then obeyed. Geona eased off the halter and joined Papa in the aisle of the barn. She slid the stall door shut.
“Papa?”
“Yes?” Papa had turned to study the other colts and fillies in the barn.
“Well, none of Moonlight Dancer’s foals have sold very well. In fact, Master Melchior said last year that if this filly didn’t sell well, he was going to sell Dancer as well!”
“Uh huh.” Papa nodded, but she could tell he really wasn’t listening.
“Well, maybe I could buy this filly! I could work in the barn for coin. I know everything. You wouldn’t even have to train me how to do anything cuz I already know. I could clean stalls, clean the tack, groom the horses. I could even exercise them. I know you wouldn’t let me ride the more valuable ones, but I could exercise all the others. Master Melchior would...”
“Geona.”
“Please, Papa!”
“Geona.” Papa took off his hat and ran his dark hair. “You’re not buying this filly.”
Geona bit back the angry words that reared up like a young horse. The filly behind her found the grain and gulped it down.
“Then maybe I could buy Moonlight Dancer! If everyone knows her foals don’t sell, she’d really be cheap. I’ve worked with her already. She’d be a breeze to train to ride.”
“Geona,” Papa said again.
Geona studied the barn floor and traced lines in the dust. “I know.” The tears rose up, and she fought them, determined not to let them show where the hands would see her and laugh at her.
But the tears wouldn’t stop.
“I’ll just...” She swallowed. “I’ll just check on the filly again.”
“Geona,” Papa’s voice sounded sad. “We just don’t have any coin for a horse.”
She knew he wanted to explain and make it better. But she couldn’t take the sympathy right now. It would make her cry even more.
She pretended not to hear and slipped into the stall. The filly pricked her ears but stayed quiet. The smell of straw mixed with grain and horse sweat filled the air and soothed Geona’s sadness.
The filly was too engrossed in the grain to even flinch.
She has the spark, but she’s also a pig.
Geona grinned, despite her sorrow. She joined the horse and scratched her on her throat. The filly leaned into her. Geona ran a hand down the long neck to the strong back.
“If you were mine, we’d go on great adventures,” Geona whispered.
Outside the stall, the other hands were preparing to go home. She had to go. With a sigh, Geona patted the filly one last time and slipped into the twilight.
A few stars twinkled in the sky where it was the darkest. The last of the light of the sun hung over the horizon, tracing a pattern of the hills. The horses in the corrals around the barn were beginning to settle down.
Geona leaned on a fence and watched the shadows of two horses.
Why would Adoyni create me to love horses and not allow me to have one? She groaned. Maybe I’m going to be one of those people who end up doing something they hate.
But she didn’t want that. She wanted to be on the back of a horse, racing across the fields. She wanted to feel the joy of entering a barn filled with the pleasant smells of hay mingled with horses and hear the animals welcome her.
The sun’s light faded completely. She pushed off the fence and meandered home. Mama gave her a big hug when she returned, giving Geona a clue that Papa had told her about wanting to buy the filly.
She squeezed Mama back and gave Papa a small smile. “I understand,” she said.
Pap pulled her dark brown braid. “Someday, Geona. Don’t give up hope.”
She nodded. “Can I go to my room now?”
“Of course,” Mama said. “But blow out your candle in a bit.”
In her room, Geona flopped onto her bed. She did understand, and she wasn’t mad at Papa. She was just so tired of hearing the same answer. Of not having her own horse. Of always looking for rides and hoping someone would let her.
She sighed and rolled over to put her on the little table beside her bed. The parchment with her story from her school assignment lay on the table.
Anwen’s Invitation.
She stared at it. What would it be like to be invited by an Archippi on a great quest? What was Anwen going to do next?
Then she knew the answer. She grabbed up a quill and began to write.
Chapter Two
Anwen’s Flight
Anwen gripped the black Archippos with
her knees and risked a look down to the ground far beneath them. They had soared through the clouds. Now the white formations dotted the air like sheep in a large field.
Beneath the clouds, the mountains rose and fell like waves of the sea. Off to the south, the land flattened as it stretched toward the city. The large city of Northbridge had completely disappeared.
Anwen fought the black spots that rose up in her eyes and sat up quickly blinking.
If I fell...
She couldn’t even finish the thought. She leaned over Daeron’s neck and threw her arms around his neck.
“You’ve got to take me back,” she yelled over the wind, ignoring the mane that whipped her face.
Why are you shouting in my ears? Daeron asked.
“Because it’s loud! And high!”
Daeron chuckled. I can go much, much higher. Would you like to see what it’s like?
“No!” Anwen shouted. “You need to go much, much lower, and take me home. My work is there, and Stardust will need me.”
The gray stallion will be taken of. I have friends waiting for him. You need to forget about him for the time being. Now you must focus on the task at hand.
“What task at hand? I don’t even know what’s going on!”
Daeron stopped his ascension, leveled out, and glided on the air. Sit up. You have no need to fear. I will not drop you.
Anwen swallowed. Daeron actually sounded offended that she was afraid. She pushed herself up so she was sitting instead of clinging to his neck.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. You’ve got to remember I’ve never done this.”
Just like riding a horse.
“A horse with wings. Flying instead of running, and oh, there’s the apparent lack of reins or saddle. Otherwise, it’s completely the same!” Anwen rolled her eyes.
Eladar never said humans were this difficult.
Anwen thought Daeron didn’t mean to share that thought with her. She glared at the dark ears in front of her. “Just so you know, humans don’t like to be whisked away. I just caught that stallion, and I’ve never had my own horse, and now I have one. Then you come and say that I have to go with you. I mean, this is awesome. I’ve always wanted to ride on an Archippos. But Stardust needs me.”
Daeron banked to the left and then straightened out. I understand having to leave what you love. He will have to wait. This is much more important than him right now.
The Chronicles of Anwen Page 2