The Ashen Wrath (Watty's SHORTLIST recipient 2018) CHAPTERED VERSION

*46

       

Sheln let us ride Lansred back to Zone 28. The white stallion was twice as fast as Rastin, even while carrying two riders.

"Whoa!" I called out. The village still wasn't in sight, but if we rode any closer Daun might not make it back to her ranch before the drones arrived. As soon as Lansred stopped, I hopped off.

"We can go a little further, Danth. Lansred's so fast, you might even make it in time!"

"No," I said. "I'm not going to risk you getting caught. I have the cloak," I said, pulling it tighter around me. "I'll be alright."

Daun jumped off the horse and hugged me tight, slipping inside the cloak with me. "You look ridiculous," she said, her voice ringing with anxiety.

I kissed her tenderly than forced myself away. "Hurry, you have to go!"

Daun mounted Lansred with her usual grace. "Alright. Come back to me Danth."

"I swear it."

I watched Daun ride back the way we came, hoping it wouldn't be the last time I saw her. After taking a deep breath, I pulled up the hood of the cloak and ran toward my village.