[Judge Simon]

Now that he didn't have to worry about the hobbit falling off his horse, Shade was able to play around a little more. He urged his horse to a full gallop and began to criss cross through the trees and around Aranel's horse. She smiled and played back.
"Want to Race?" Shade shouted to her.
"I can assure you that you will lose!"
"I don't think so" Shade took off and he heard Aranel's horse right behind him. He stood up in his stirrups to look around at Aranel.
"Look Out!" she shouted looking distressed. Shade turned back around and saw a huge tree branch zooming toward him. He threw himself deep into the saddle and raced underneath it. The horses raced out of the forest and into a grassy plain. Shade saw that ahead Radae had set down possibly because Collette had complained of being hungry. Shade spurred his horse on, but Aranel came along side and then pulled to the front. She raced past Shade and made it to Radae first. Shade came up and halted his horse
"I told you that I would win" Aranel said.
"Only because I let you," Shade said but there was laughter in his voice as he jumped from his saddle.
"Radae, have seen any sign of our other compainion?" Shade said as he fell into the grass. His wounds were acting up again but he made no mention of them. He breathed in the air deeply and awaited a response.

[ October 26, 2002: Message edited by: Judge Simon ]