Page 133 of Wind Rider

“Okay, back, Anjo—back!”

Slowly the powerful mare dug her hooves in and backed, little by little pulling Skye up over the lip of the gorge, where she collapsed, sobbing in pain. Scout was there, nuzzling her Rider and nickering incessantly.

River hopped over to her, meaning to help her unwrap the rope from her waist and then tie her arm into a sling, but Skye had other plans. She looked up at River, and wiped tears and snot from her filthy face.

“Go! You saved me. One of the judges will get to me soon enough. Look—there’s one.”

River followed Skye’s pointing finger to see that one of the judges was picking her way down the rocky slope, heading for them.

“Now go! Catch Alani and Doe; you still have time if Anjo can jumpthe gorge here—and I think she can. Youareour Lead Mare Rider—go claim your destiny!”

River didn’t hesitate. Anjo dropped to her knees and River threw herself on her mare’s back. Once astride she gazed across the wide gorge. Skye was right. Alani and Doe had lost time choosing the narrower crossing and they were only just then returning to the path that led to the final sprint to the finish line.

River didn’t need to ask Anjo if she could jump the gorge. That decision had already been made—not by River and arrogance, but by the mare herself. And River had complete confidence in Anjo.

Anjo whirled around and cantered back several yards. She paused there while River bent to put her injured foot in the stirrup. She gripped her mare with her thighs, grabbed two handfuls of mane, and leaned forward.

“I’m ready whenever you are!”

Then let us fly!

Anjo surged forward, heading toward the gorge in a fast, but controlled gallop. As the mare approached the jump, River could feel her powerful muscles gathering. Anjo’s ears were pricked forward and she showed absolutely no hesitation.

Anjo leaped! River lifted up from the saddle, staying low against Anjo’s neck and holding tightly to her mane. It seemed time suspended, because River was able to clearly see Skye waving at her and cheering as the open maw of the gorge passed beneath them. And then they were on the other side!

“Go! Go! Go! My brilliant, strong, beautiful girl!”

Anjo shot forward, eating up ground between them and the only other team in front of them.

Alani and Doe reached the black flag first. Alani was off Doe before the mare came to a stop, and began running at her side.

River steeled herself. Her foot was throbbing in time with her heartbeat, but she wasn’t going to let that get in the way of destiny.

They reached the black flag. Anjo slid to a halt and River gingerly dismounted, unable to put any weight on the foot.

You cannot run!

“I can and I will. I have an idea.” Moving quickly, River cut several long strips from the bottom of her shirt. Then she sat so that she could wrap them firmly around her broken ankle. Blood was oozing from inside her leather shoe, but River ignored it, and gritting her teeth against the pain she tied the bandage as tight as possible. Then she limped to Anjo’s shoulder, putting her arm around her mare’s neck. “Okay, let’s go.”

But you cannot run!Anjo was sniffing River’s wrapped foot.You bleed!

“We’re almost done. And, no, I can’t run by myself, but I can if you help me. I’m going to lean on you. If you trot I’ll keep up.”

I will always help you.

The two started out onto the flat, two-mile course. Anjo trotted and River, holding tightly to her mare’s neck, hobbled beside her. She tried not to keep staring at the backs of Alani and Doe as their lead lengthened.

I will catch them. Do not worry. Think only of your foot.

And that’s what River did. She stopped looking ahead. She went inside herself, focusing on keeping pace with Anjo—and on the strength and stability her mare was sharing with her—lending her support and love—so, so much love.

I see the second black flag. We are almost there.

River didn’t realize she was crying until she had to wipe her face to clear her vision. Her right leg was nothing but pain, and she couldn’t even touch her foot to the ground, but within just a few strides Anjo had stopped and dropped to her knees. With the last of her strength, River threw her leg over Anjo. The instant she was astride, Anjo stood.

“Catch them, Anjo!”

The powerful mare needed no more encouragement. For the first time that day she was able to truly run. River leaned forward, staying close to Anjo’s neck and balancing perfectly so that her mare would need only to concentrate on speed.