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A fast thumping of hooves was heard from behind, Atharen turned his head, only to see a green blur that looked vaguely like Roryn speed past him. Atharen shouted and spurred his horse into a gallop again, forgetting that Crystal was behind him, Crystal let out a small cry of fear as the horse jolted into movement, but she soon got into position for the gallop as Atharen and Roryn sped towards Jacobe's Run. Atharen was gaining, but the retired ranger was holding them far behind still. Atharen smiled widely as he saw Roryn galloping, all anger he'd felt at him went, as was often the case. Roryn still enjoyed the thrill of the race, and wouldn't let his relatively old age hold him back.
Roryn looked back to see Atharen and Crystal several metres behind him, and Maen and the rest catching up as fast as they could. Ferethor and Aelimur weren't galloping, but cantering slowly, talking. It was the first occasion Roryn had had cause to doubt the integrity of the two guards, but he shrugged and turned around, back to the race. He saw the rabbit hole a second too late. His horse caught a foot in it, stumbling and bucking before continuing at the run, Roryn was thrown by the sudden jolt, but managed to keep hold of the reigns, and had a leg over the horse's haunches.
Atharen looked in horror as Roryn fell, his predicament was now very serious, one wrong move would mean he fell right off...
Roryn cursed as he hung there, several times he tried to pull himself up onto the saddle again, but failed and fell back. Each time his grip on the reigns loosening. He gave one last tug, and managed to right himself, but he was still out of balance and his horse, aware of its lack of rider, had slowed. Atharen stopped beside him, and they were joined a few seconds later by Maen.
"Roryn you fool!" Atharen almost shouted. "I was worried about you!"
"So was I, Atharen." Roryn quipped back, as he turned his horse to face back to the others. Looking sideways at Atharen he smiled and laughed. Atharen joined in. "Perhaps we shouldn't have any more silly races?" asked Maen. "Excellent idea." Replied both Atharen and Roryn simultaneously. This time it was Maen that laughed. "We'll wait for the others. And remember, Roryn, I'm not Maen while we're in Jacobe's Run". Roryn nodded as he watched the others pull up...
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