Page 126 of Wind Rider

Anjo dropped to a canter and then a swift, but restful trot that ate up the remaining miles, which brought them to one of their favorite summer cooling-off spots, Willow Lake. For the past three summers River and Anjo had been enjoying the deep, spring-fed waters, which remained cool even when the prairie turned brown from unrelenting heat and rainless days.

“Straight across,” River said.

Of course. We have no time for play today. Lift the saddlebags or my mash will be ruined.

“Oh, that’s right. Thanks for reminding me.” River turned and quickly pulled the tie that held the saddlebags and shifted them so that they rested up on Anjo’s neck.

As the mare entered the water River kicked out of the stirrups, so that as soon as Anjo began swimming she slipped into the water beside her mare, careful to stay away from her pumping legs and hooves while she held on to her mane, swimming with her and keeping the saddlebags in place above the waterline.

Willow Lake was not huge, probably only a couple miles wide, but it was also not simply a pond—and it was deep. As the team moved out into the middle of the cool water, River spotted another team leaving the lake. Even wet, the grulla’s distinctive coloring was impossible to miss.

“I see Luce and Blue in front of us, but not far.”

Alani and Doe must be in front of them.

“Unless they chose to go around the lake.”

They are too experienced for that—whether Doe likes to swim or not. Though I do not understand why she would not like to swim. It is quite nice.

“Water horse,” River said affectionately. “But I agree with you. I like to swim, too.”

Almost at the bank. You should mount.

River slid back into the saddle, holding the saddlebags up and dry. As soon as Anjo was on dry land she turned and hastily refastened the bags. “Ready!”

Anjo sped off, taking an easy curve to the right, which led to a steep climb up the side of a ridge. The mare didn’t hesitate but attacked the ridge, moving fast, but holding her head low so that she could pick her way around rocks and holes. When they reached the summit they paused for an instant and could see that Luce and Blue had already made their way to the bottom and were approaching Bitter Creek.

River blinked sweat from her eyes so that she could be sure she was seeing correctly—and she was.

“Anjo, we don’t get to swim the creek. They’ve built a bridge over it.”

The mare snorted and tossed her head.I do not like bridges.

“You don’t have to like it. You just have to cross it. Let’s get down there. Luce and Blue are almost to it already.”

River leaned back, balancing carefully and being sure she wasn’t a hindrance to Anjo as the mare sat on her hocks, sliding most of the way down the steep ridge. They galloped abruptly to the right to arrive at the newly built bridge just as Luce was taking her shirt off Blue’s head andremounting her mare on the other side. Luce turned her head to glance behind, and her eyes widened at the sight of River and Anjo. She cued her mare and the two sprinted away.

River kneed Anjo to the bridge. The creek wasn’t wide—more of a stream really—and except for climbing up and down very steep banks, crossing it would have been nothing for Anjo. But during the past month the Mare Council had been secretly building the Mare Test course, and this bridge was brand-new. It was a suspension bridge, swaying gently in the wind. About the width of a horse, wood planks made the floor of it. The sides were completely open except for a single rope on either side at about the height of Anjo’s chest.

Looks like it will fall.

“I can dismount and cover your head with my shirt like Luce did for Blue and lead you across.”

Do you think it will fall?asked her mare. Anjo didn’t feel frightened to River, just concerned.

“No,” she said firmly. “I know it won’t. The Mare Council wouldn’t build the bridge if it could break and hurt one of us. That’s not what this Test is about.”

If you trust it—I trust it.

And just like that Anjo stepped out onto the bridge. She took her time crossing it, but the mare didn’t falter. She didn’t spook. She remained as true and steady as her trust in her Rider.

When they reached the other side River threw her arms around Anjo’s neck. “You did great! You’re perfect!”

Let us get away from here. I do not like bridges. Especially bridges that move.

“There! I see the purple ribbon on the tree. We need to take the trail to the left.”

There is no trail to the left. Only another ridge with trees.