Page 58 of Wind Rider

Clayton couldn’t keep his eyes from Ghost. “River, if they’re wrong about him—then what else are they wrong about?”

“What do you mean? And who’s ‘they’?” she asked as she worked.

“The Mare Council, of course. They make all the laws. And—no disrespect meant to your mother—but maybe it’s time we change things,” Clayton said.

“Change how?”

“Well, maybe more people should have a say in Herd law.”

“Every Herdmember has a say in Herd law,” said River.

“There has always been a Lead Mare and her Rider, and they’re always in charge—with theMareCouncil’s blessing and backing,” said Clayton.

“Yeah, that’s what I was saying. The entire Herd votes in the Mare Council.”

“Well, maybe some of us want more than a vote. Maybe it’s time more people have a say.”

River felt a chill spider down her spine. “And by more people you mean men.”

River hadn’t phrased it as a question, but Clayton didn’t seem to notice and answered anyway.

“Yes, and that sounds good to me!”

“I’m sure it does.” Again, Clayton paid no attention to the tone of her voice.

“And, thanks to you,he’sgoing to be what begins the change.” He pointed at the stallion, who gave him a suspicious side-eye look.

River said nothing as she finished dressing Ghost’s mane and they took the well-kept path that led to Herd Magenti. Clayton kept spewing traitorous thoughts all the rest of the way back, as if plotting to supplant generations of leadership and Herd stability was a good thing—a normal thing, a thing everyone was talking about. River’s stomach tightened. What if she didn’t know about it because no one wanted to say anything around her? River’s anger began to simmer.

We won’t let him destroy our Herd,River told Anjo.

No. We will not,sounded her filly’s already familiar voice in her mind.

CHAPTER 11

PRESENT DAY—UMBRIA RIVER

Mari was amazed at how much easier it was to paddle up the river during the day, especially during a day with no wind and a cloudless, cerulean sky. There was even one point when the Earth Walker women began a spring growing song, teaching the words to the rest of the group so that eventually everyone was singing along.

It felt good. It felt like family.

“Is it a bad thing to admit that I’m having fun?” Mari asked Nik’s back. The Pack had been rearranged and divided into boats so that strengths were spread around and weaknesses were compensated for, but the two of them still shared one of the smaller boats—the kind that was outfitted with paddles instead of oars and had ballasts on either side so that Laru and Rigel could ride comfortably.

“I’m glad someone is,” Nik muttered, but he shot a smile over his shoulder at her and added, “If I have to be on the water, there’s no one else I’d want to be with.”

She used her paddle to splash a little water on him. “You do truly loathe the water, don’t you?”

“I absolutely do,” he said firmly. “When we get to the Wind Rider Plains I hope I never have to be on the water again.”

“You will bathe, though, won’t you?”

“For you, Moon Woman, I will continue to bathe.”

Laru sneezed and made a low, sarcastic sound in his big chest, causing Mari to laugh. “I think he’s saying you smell.”

“Traitor,” Nik teased his Shepherd.

“How do your wounds feel?” Mari asked.