The Blue Mountains

[Ithaeliel]

Ender rode swiftly through a maze of trees and brambles. Her mount was indeed fast, faster than many horses she had ridden in her day. But the speed of the mare didn't compensate for the fact that Ender had totally forgotten a light, and, because the moon was new, she often would run into things that she would have normally not. But she could still hear, and when the pounding of the mare's hooves suddenly echoed behind, she heard it. Stopping short, she beckoned her mount to hide (it wasn't hard; the horse's coat was dark as well as the sky) and crouched behind a tree, sword drawn. The heavy steps of another horse grew louder and louder, going more slowly all the while. As the head came into view, Ender readied herself for a spring. Seeing the rider's face, she relaxed. It was Mattius.

"I thought you might follow me here," she said as she approached.

Mattius retained a serious expression. "We musn't waste any more time. We have to find Calentoliel quickly."

The two rode on for another long mile in the darkness before Ender caught scent of something familiar. "We've not far to go. In fact, she should be..." she trailed off as she caught sight of a limp figure lying on the ground, a dry trickle of blood on the corner of her mouth.