Page 134 of Wind Rider

Anjo flew over the prairie. This time the tears that flowed from River’s eyes were from the whipping of the wind. She’d run Anjo before, butthe mare had never shown this kind of speed. As River peered ahead she could see the distance between them and the other team disappearing so that as they pounded toward the finish line and the roar of the watching Herd engulfed them, Anjo’s muzzle was at Doe’s flank.

Four more strides and Anjo’s muzzle was at her competitor’s shoulder.

Just a few more strides—that’s all it would take and Anjo would pass Doe—but suddenly River saw her mother. Dawn was sitting tall and proud on Echo, with a huge purple flag raised over her head, and as they raced past her, Dawn threw down the flag, signaling that they’d reached the finish line—less than half a length behind Doe.

After that there was chaos. April was there, catching River as she began to fall out of the saddle—the pain in her ankle and foot finally having gone beyond bearable.

Anjo snorted and nuzzled River and she rested against her mare’s side. Unlike Scout, Anjo didn’t dissolve into panic or hysteria. Instead she flooded her Rider with comfort.

“Great Mother Mare, you look terrible! Where are you hurt?” April was running her hands over River, trying to find her wound.

“I’m fine. Gotta cool Anjo off.”

River! The Herd will help me. The Healers must see to you.

River blinked sweat and tears from her eyes, just then noticing that she and Anjo were surrounded by familiar faces—Herd members, all wearing amethyst around their necks.

“Riv, let us help you,” April said.

River nodded wearily. “It’s my right foot. It’s crushed. And I think my ankle is broken.”

“I’ve got her,” said a deep male voice.

River looked up to see Jasper, the Rider of the current Herd Stallion and father of Violet, River’s youngest sister, standing in front of her. He was a little younger than her mother, with just a touch of gray beginning at his temples—and he was known for his kindness. His stallion, Blaze, the biggest bay stud in the Herd, was standing a little way off, obviously wanting to get closer to his Rider, but Ghost had planted himself firmly between the stallion and Anjo.

“If you allow, I’ll carry you to the tent the Healers have set up not far from here.”

“Can I see the finish line from there?” River asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Then okay.”

As if she weighed nothing, Jasper lifted her gently. She heard Ghost snort, and spoke quickly to her mare. “Anjo, tell Ghost to behave. Jasper is helping me.”

Ghost is very worried.

“Hey, Anjo, everything is going to be okay,” April said, stroking her sister’s mare soothingly. “You and Ghost can come with me. I’ll take your tack off, get you some water, wipe you down, and then you can come right back and be with River.”

Slowly, Anjo let April lead her away as Jasper carried River to the Healers’ tent, which was just beyond the finish line. From there she watched her mother drop the flag for two more teams—Cybill and Xanthos from their own branch of Herd Magenti, and then Magenti West’s team of Lynette and her black mare Morgan.

As soon as they crossed the finish line, Echo galloped to the Healers’ tent.

“River!” Dawn slid off her mare and rushed to her daughter.

“Mother, I’m okay. And I’m so, so sorry.”

Dawn took her daughter’s hand, grimacing as she gazed down at River’s bloody foot. “Can you save it?” she asked the Healer.

River’s stomach tensed as she waited for the Healer’s response.

“It’s not as bad as it could have been. Her ankle is broken, but the foot itself is mostly bruised and lacerated. Looks like a horse stomped it.”

The Healer and Lead Mare Rider stared at River.

“Oh, no! Anjo didn’t do that. Scout did. But not on purpose. She was in a panic.” She gripped her mother’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Mother,” she repeated.

“My darling, I have no idea why you keep apologizing, but I must return to the finish line.” She kissed River’s sweaty forehead and gentlytouched her cheek. “I am proud of you and Anjo. Whatever happened out there, I know you did your best.”