Page 124 of Wind Rider

“Can you see who that is?” April asked.

“It’s Skye and Scout.”

April shook her head. “No wonder the cheer wasn’t very loud. The only people who want her to win are Clayton and his friends.”

River lifted her chin. “She’snotgoing to win.” She gazed at the crowd. There were more people there than River had expected. She saw a lot ofRiders from the other branches of Herd Magenti, as well as clusters of people and horses—mostly stallions—wearing the colors of other Herds.

River understood why, and she should have expected it. Only members of Herd Magenti could compete for Lead Mare and Rider, but any stud horse over the age of three could compete for Herd Stallion—he and his Rider didn’t need to be from Herd Magenti.Of course there are strangers and their stallions here. They want to see who will win, and whether they join the competition for Herd Stallion and Rider will depend on if they approve of the winner.

They will approve of us. There will be many stallions competing on the last day of summer,Anjo said, sounding a little snobbish, though it made River smile. Then her mare added,But Ghost could beat them all—and he should.

River didn’t respond. She agreed with her mare about Ghost. He was growing into an exceptional stallion.

But he didn’t have a Rider, and River wasn’t convinced allowing him to join the Stallion Run would be the best thing for Herd Magenti—even if the Mare Council agreed to allow her to ride him during the competition.

A flash of gold caught River’s eye, and she saw Ghost standing on a little rise behind the bulk of the crowd. He tossed his head and reared.

Ghost sends us a mare’s luck,Anjo said.

I’ll take all the luck we can get.

The space before them opened to show the starting line. There were twelve teams entered in the Mare Test, and River quickly counted that eleven of them were there already. Some of the mares were prancing restlessly, but they were younger horses. Doe and the older mares waited calmly, with their ears pricked, saving their energy.

Dawn on her Echo had taken position in front of the starting line, facing the contestants. River knew the moment Echo spotted Anjo. The Lead Mare lifted her head, and neighed a welcome.

“Mother can’t show favoritism, but Echo definitely can,” River said.

Echo shows us great respect by welcoming us,Anjo said.

April touched her sister’s leg. “I want you to look at the crowd. Everyone who is wearing an amethyst necklace is doing so in support of you. I would’ve told you before, but the Herd wanted to surprise you. Be smart. Be safe. And may a mare’s luck be with you, Riv.”

River squeezed her sister’s hand. “Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you right back. Now, go win this Test and take the place that is meant to be yours in our Herd.”

“Anjo, let’s show them that we’re worthy of leading Herd Magenti.”

Anjo’s tail lifted and she trotted forward, picking her hooves up as if she were in the mud trap, arching her neck, and neighing an answering greeting to her Lead Mare. River sat deep in the trail saddle she’d chosen to use for the Test. It was lightweight—really not much more than a blanket pad with a horn and stirrups, with a saddle pack strapped behind it. The pad would make the daylong ride more comfortable for Anjo, and the stirrups would help River keep her seat if she had to ask Anjo to go up and down steep ridges, or over jumps.

As soon as the crowd caught sight of the silver mare prancing to the starting line, a great cheer sounded, startling River with its passion and intensity. Her eyes scanned the crowd of smiling, happy faces, and she was deeply moved by how much amethyst she saw winking at her from around the necks of her Herd.

They support us!Anjo didn’t sound as surprised as River felt, but equally pleased.

Then let’s show them we appreciate their support!River silently communicated with her mare.

Yes! Let’s!

River knew her mare well enough to grip her with her thighs, which was a good thing because Anjo reared, pawing the air cheekily as River waved to the cheering crowd.

Then Anjo pranced into the only open position left and River met her mother’s gaze. She knew she would never forget the unspoken emotions that passed between them in that moment. She saw her mother’s love—and beyond that River saw her pride and her confidence. And she hopedthat her mother could see just as clearly the love and gratitude within River’s gaze.

Dawn raised one hand, and the Herd went silent.

“Today, on the last day of spring in this year that Echo and I step down as your Lead Mare-and-Rider team, I am gratified to see such a strong group of Candidates. Twelve teams! With representation from Herd Magenti East.” Dawn paused as a cheer went up from Herd East visitors. “And Herd Magenti West.” Another cheer. “As well as Herd Magenti South.” Clapping and whoops drifted across the prairie. “Herd Magenti North.” More clapping. “And our ownHerd Magenti Central!” The Rendezvous Site exploded in whistles and cheers and applause. But one lifted hand from their Lead Mare Rider, and the exuberant crowd fell into a watching silence again.

“When Echo and I began the Test we ran against five other teams. The fact that there aretwelveworthy pairs before me illustrates the prosperity and strength ofallbranches of Herd Magenti.” The crowd roared their agreement. “I know whoever is named your Lead Mare-and-Rider team at the end of this day will continue to strengthen and grow our Herd, and will lead us into another era of prosperity.” Dawn met River’s gaze and smiled. “I feel nothing but excitement about our future.”

After the crowd quieted, Dawn faced the line of Riders and mares. She had a purple flag in her hand that bore the standard of Herd Magenti, which was a cluster of crystals embroidered so that the threads glistened.