Chapter 1 Keylyn felt her green cloak billowing behind her cantering horse's rump. She slowed her horse down to a swift trot and her steed picked up her legs high off the ground, well trained to avoid any roots. Waiting for them to reach the small horse's path, Keylyn started making her turn into the thicket lined trail that passerbys would never notice.
She kept her head ducked as trees snagged at her mahogany-colored hair. Keylyn and her horse slowed down as they reached a small cottage with a little stable beside it.
She dismounted and walked over to the little stable leading her horse. ⌠ Good girl,■ she whispered ⌠ See you in a little while Annie!■ At that , she walked over to the little hut and stepped inside to see the it just as it had been the last time she'd seen it.
She went over to the fireplace and started the fire, putting the stew pot on the holder over the fire and started preparing the ingredients. After she had finished the stew she took it off the pot, setting it down on the ground, and put out the fire.
She walked out to the stable and was greeted by a nicker, but not only one.
⌠ Hey Keylyn,■ her mother, Karigan, said cheerfully as she hung up her Green Rider tack. ⌠ How has the messaging going?■ ⌠ Oh, fine. You?■ she replied. ⌠How's Condor?■ ⌠ Fine, just seemed hungry,■ she answered, then she licked her lips. ⌠ And I smelled that stew.■ Keylyn sighed. She was almost just like her mother. They both had the mahogany hair; green eyes ; They both also wore a horse brooch above their heart for they were both a part of the legendary messengers for the king-they were both Green Riders. Keylyn thought that the only thing unlike between them was that she wasn't tone-
deaf.
After they fed their horses they both set off towards the hut. They were soon both eating the stew in front of the fireplace.
⌠ I have to say,you're really good at cooking.■ Karigan said through a mouthful. ⌠Where are you heading for your message?■ ⌠ Seldium.■ her mother's eyes opened wide.■ You too?■ ⌠ Yes, shall we both ride out? Tomorrow?■ She added as she looked out at the dark sky. ⌠ Not much sense riding out in the dark.■ Keylyn nodded as she chewed the last bite.
Keylyn was waiting on Annie when Karigan walked Condor out. She quickly mounted as Keylyn turned Annie towards the horse trail. Trotting off of the trail onto the road, Keylyn heard Annie's hooves crunch on the frosty ground. November had come too fast.
It was a quiet ride to Seldium, but Keylyn had expected it. Green Riders usually rode alone. So habits kicked in, not only that , but they were going towards the Green Cloak.
She remembered Karigan telling her about her travels in the Green Cloak, about the animals in them. She eased Annie into a trot. They had jogged through most of the forest when Annie suddenly stopped sharp, nearly unseating Keylyn.
⌠ What is it girl!?■ Keylyn asked as she looked down, petting Annie. The answer came quickly as something jumped down from the hill.
⌠ RUN!■ yelled Karigan 's voice somewhere near.
As the horses sprinted Throughout the forest, She felt her brooch get warm. Then Keylyn looked ahead, she felt her vision zoom foreword, faster that of her horse.
⌠ There is Seldium ahead!■ Keylyn yelled to her disappeared mother. Keylyn sighed, it always got on her nerves when Karigan disappeared in thin air.
She knew it was Karigan 's power to disappear. Then she looked under her arm to she the creature accelerate, She pushed Annie on.
They were galloping into Seldium when Karigan appeared as the guards yelled for help to fight off the creature.
Twelve guards came running to fight off the creature. One lay crumpled, poisoned by the creature's poisonous tail.
Keylyn looked back at Karigan, and they both nodded, dismounting.
⌠Stay away from the tail! Stab into the underbelly and joints!■ Karigan yelled, with experience to the Guards and Keylyn.
They both charged, the creature quickly realized how outnumbered he was and ran for his life, but didn't get far with Karigan hacking at his joints, and Keylyn (watching the tail) stabbing at it's underbelly.
Keylyn saw the creature turn over, and all she felt was pain, as some black blood seemingly jumped onto her arms...
Opening her eyes, Keylyn felt her wrists burn as she woke up.
⌠ OW!■ She screeched and look around, where was she?
⌠It's okay Keylyn, you are in the Seldium healing wing,■ Karigan soothed. Keylyn sat up. She groaned at her skin burned wrists. It hurt! She yelled in her mind. ⌠Why did it▓s blood burn me?■ Keylyn asked, not looking up from her pain-filled wrist. ⌠ I mean, it practically jumped on me!■ ⌠ It▓s blood is filled with the poison that is in it▓s tail., but not as strong...■ A new voice said. ⌠Where are my manners, I▓m Estral, an old friend of your moms.■ ⌠As you know, I▓m Keylyn. I▓m a Green Rider too,■ she beamed.
Keylyn had presented the letter the the Seldium mistress and was tacking up Annie when her mother came in.
⌠ Are you leaving now too?■ she asked. ⌠ Because if so I can wait.■ ⌠I▓m sorry, but I▓m staying in Seldium for a while, It▓s been seasons since I▓ve seen Estral,■ her mother sighed. ⌠ Hopefully I▓ll see you in a few weeks, Bye!■ she said breathlessly.