The Race

Lauren finished telling Amias and Odi everything that happened. "Do you think you can win?" Odi asked.

Lauren sucked in a deep breath. "I certainly hope so."

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William mounted his horse, a beautiful appaloosa. Lauren mounted Askari, next to him. Amias approached her. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Lauren nodded. "I've come this far. I have too much at stake to lose now." Amias nodded and stepped away from her.

The Knights of Evermore gathered on each side of the two riders. Amias and Odi stood at the front. Kalzin stepped forward. "We have marked out a path. Follow it and you will end up here at this spot. It shouldn't be too hard to find it if you stick together, which you probably will."

Lauren grabbed a hold of Askari's mane, not wanting to use a bridle. William looked over and smiled at her and mouthed Good luck.

Kalzin stepped forward. "Are you both ready?" he asked Lauren and William. They both nodded. "On your mark, get set GO!"

Lauren and William took off at the same time. They tore through the forest at the same pace. Lauren could see the red markers lining the path. She was going too fast to be able to tell what they were made of. She looked over at Will and she could tell that he wasn't trying his hardest to beat her. He was letting her keep up with him. Half of her appreciated that, but the other half wanted to win fair and square. William looked over at her and gave her a knowing smile.

A series of trees created a fork in the path and the two were forced to separate. It was like someone planned for William to help her. It was probably Elina. Lauren looked down and no longer saw the markers. She had gotten lost. "Just great," she muttered to herself.

A low rumbling sound echoed through the forest and Askari's ears twitched as he stomped his hoof on the dirt. Several wolves emerged from the trees and bushes, teeth bared. They slowly circled Lauren and Askari. Their deep gray color easily allowed them to hide in the shadows. Askari whinnied and reared up as a couple of the wolves barked and snapped at him, slowly inching closer.

Lauren had no idea what to do. She could throw her sword, but that would only take out one wolf and she would be defenseless. She could dismount Askari and charge the wolves, but they would easily overpower her.

The wolves attacked Askari. The powerful stallion didn't stand a chance. Lauren was thrown from his back. The wolves dug their claws into his sides and back. Askari screamed in pain as the wolves continued their attack. Lauren pulled her sword out and stabbed the wolf who was on Askari's back. One of the others jumped on Lauren and pinned her down.

Suddenly, a high pitched howl silenced the wolves' attack. A huge wolf the size of an adult man stepped out of the trees, teeth bared. His coat was a deep black color. He turned his head and gazed at Lauren with his very familiar deep silver eyes. Lauren recognized him immediately. "Mlinzi?" she asked, eyes full of hope. Mlinzi's ghost smiled at her and howled. The wolves whimpered and ran off and disappeared into the forest. Mlinzi stepped forward and looked at Askari, whose breathing became very unnatural. Large cuts and gashes covered his body.

"He doesn't have long," Mlinzi said. "Help is on the way."

"Don't leave," Lauren said.

Mlinzi smiled sadly. "I have to. "But if you ever need to talk to me, just come to my grave on the Ashvon. I will always be there."

Lauren smiled. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye Moonstar," Mlinzi said as he turned around and disappeared into the forest. Lauren moved over to Askari and put his head into her lap. His breathing had become more stressed and ragged.

Lauren felt a strange presence behind her and as she turned around to look, she saw a huge stag. She had a royal blue coat and black legs trimmed with silver with a white blaze on her nose. Her antlers were white with tips that had every color of the rainbow. The majestic stag bowed her head at Lauren.