Page 156 of Wind Rider

“Awaken.”

Instantly, the stone warmed in her hand. River stared into its faceted surface. Concentrating with all of her will, River spoke to the blue tourmaline, with Anjo echoing.

“Mighty Teller Stone, I ask for your clarification.”

Mighty Teller Stone, my Rider is in need.

“Help me to focus.”

Help her focus.

“Help me to understand my stallion Riders.”

Speak to her with the voice of stallions.

“Help me to be wise.”

My Rider is wise.

“And always, always, help me to know what is best for my Herd.”

“The Herd first and always!”

Within the stone, images swirled in a sea of cerulean crystal. First she saw Jasper, his kind, open face nodding at her in agreement. Many of the Riders behind him were also nodding in agreement, though had River glanced up from the Teller Stone she would have seen that not one of them had actually moved.

The image swirled within the crystal again, and when it cleared it showed Clayton. In the stone he was no longer standing beside Jasper, but he’d pushed the older man out of the way and had taken his place. He was staring to his right with a look of rage. The crystal followed his gaze to show Ghost before it refocused on Clayton. Under the influence of the crystal, the image that was reflected showed Clayton’s rage, but as River kept studying him she realized she was seeing more than anger. Clayton was afraid.

With a jolt River understood exactly what her childhood friend feared. Clayton believed Ghost would win if he entered the Run. If he didn’t believe that, Clayton wouldn’t be bothered at all by Ghost’s rivalry. And as River continued to commune with the stone, she understood more and more.

If Ghost and I win, Clayton is going to try to split the Herd!

River knew she was right. She could feel it through the stone, and shealso knew Clayton well enough that she didn’t doubt for an instant that he was capable of leading a revolt within the Herd.

And if Ghost does not compete and Clayton wins?River silently asked the Teller Stone.

The scene within the stone shifted again to show Clayton shouting and red-faced as she stood up to him. And then another scene swam into focus. Riders were behind Clayton—young men and Skye, along with the small clique of girls that followed her almost everywhere. And everyone with Clayton had expressions filled with anger and hate as they glowered at the rest of the Herd where they stood behind River and Anjo—holding steady and true.

He and his followers are not good for our Herd.

Anjo’s voice drifted through the stone just before it went blank.

River blinked, and her focus returned to the here and now. She closed her fist around the Teller Stone and bowed her forehead to press against it, publicly showing her appreciation and respect for the power it had shared with her. Holding it in her lap, she met Jasper’s gaze and announced:

“What I saw in the Teller Stone solidified the decision I’d already made. In one month, on the last day of summer, Ghost will be competing in the Stallion Run, and I will ride him!”

“Yes! I’m so glad!” April’s voice came from somewhere behind River, and as she clapped and cheered, Jasper joined her—nodding his head and smiling. The rest of the stallion Riders applauded, too, some more enthusiastically than others.

Except for Clayton. He did not move. And he only took his narrowed gaze from River when Ghost reared and neighed triumphantly.

River ignored Clayton and smiled at the Riders. “You only have about a month until the last day of summer, so practice up, Riders. You’re going to have to compete against a prime stallion’s brawn and the brains of a Lead Mare Rider.”

She turned Anjo with slight pressure from the inside of her calf and the mare galloped from the field, with Ghost at their heels. They didn’t need to jump over the gate again, as April had left it open when she joinedher sister. As soon as they were out of view of the stallion Riders, River stopped Anjo and slid quickly from her back, walking toward Ghost, who trotted to her, his ears pricked and attentive.

“Anjo, ask Ghost if he really wants to win the Stallion Run.”

Before her mare could relay his answer, Ghost snorted and tossed his head. River smiled. “I think that’s a yes.”

It is. Ghost wants to win the Run.