Tesaldia's jaw had dropped. Shai had never told her he could control an element. Why would he want to hide that from her?

"We need to keep going," Shai said suddenly.

"Why, what's the rush?"

"Everyone will be looking for you, with that bounty on your head, and the sooner we get to Flodil the better."

"Okay, let's go then."

Sharaes nickered at Tesaldia and then followed close behind her.

They had been walking for about an hour before Shai stopped. He lingered and Tesaldia knew he wanted to say something to her.

"What is it Shai?"

"I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Well, what would happen if we fought Vyrdaes?"

"We would get killed, he's more powerful than me and fire always has the advantage over earth."

"But you could beat him, he'd be weak against water."

"I can hardly control a ball of water, how will I beat Vyrdaes?"

Shai took this into consideration. He had not given the entire idea much thought. "You could train, and then we could beat Vyrdaes."

"I guess we could, but what about you?"

"I'll help you train."

"Really, you will?"

Shai nodded. "Now come one, we have to get going, as soon as we get to Flodil we can start your training."

Tesaldia ran after Shai, maybe there was some hope after all. She couldn't wait until they got to Flodil now.

Tesaldia stood behind Shai the entire way until they got to the mountains. Tesaldia stared up at them. "How will we get over them?"

"I don't know."

"Shai, what if you used your powers."

"How would that help us?"

"You could make a vine grow up the mountain, and we could use that."

"Hey, that's not a half bad idea."

"Well of course it isn't a bad idea, it was my idea."

"Oh well aren't we the modest one."

Tesaldia laughed. Then Shai moved his hand toward the ground and lifted it quickly upward. A large vine sprang out of the ground. He then moved his arm toward the mountain and it plunged up and over the mountain. Tesaldia stared then she groaned. "Shai we can't use the vine, Sharaes can't get over like that."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that, I don't know then."

Tesaldia frowned then she thought of something. "Normal water may not be able to run up hill but do you think Sharaes could?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sharaes can turn almost completely into water."

"Hey, yeah she could do that."

Tesaldia turned to Sharaes. "Sharaes turn into water, head up the mountain and wait for us at the top."

Sharaes whinnied and water enveloped her whole body. Sharaes galloped up the mountain and Tesaldia and Shai started climbing using the vine.

It took ages to get up the mountain. They slipped on snow, mud, and loose rocks. Their hands started to turn raw from the vine.

When they did manage to get to the top of the mountain they were both exhausted. Shai collapsed by Tesaldia and they lay there in the snow. Tesaldia gasped for her breath as Sharaes came up to her. Sharaes sniffed Tesaldia's hair and snorted. "Oh Sharaes," Tesaldia complained, "That was so disgusting."

Sharaes whinnied as if laughing. Tesaldia wiped the horse spit out of her hair. Shai was laughing and Tesaldia threw a snowball at him. He jumped and then threw one at Tesaldia. She then put a snowball down his shirt. He quickly put his hands' up. "Okay, okay, you win."

Tesaldia smiled. She looked down the mountain. "Hey I can see a village over there."

Shai looked to where she was pointing. "Hey yeah, that's probably the closest village, we'll head for there."

Tesaldia leaned over the cliff staring at the village. Then she slipped. She screamed as she tumbled down the mountain side. Snow flew up all around her and she rolled faster and faster. She tried to grab the vine but it was too far away. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Then she screamed. "Sharaes, come here, help me."

Sharaes let out a shrill neigh and then plunged down the hill. Her hooves pounding against the snowy cliff side. Tesaldia tried to slow down by grabbing hold of large rocks or branches but it was no use, she just kept going. Sharaes finally reached Tesaldia but Sharaes couldn't stop either. The horse slipped and fell on the icy snow.

Shai was at the top of the mountain trying to figure out what to do. He decided on one thing. He dove down the hill, falling to his knees but getting up again. He ran falling and stumbling over rocks hidden under the blanket of white.

The three were sliding down the hill all unable to stop, until Tesaldia hit something hard. She felt a little dizzy but then shook off the feeling. Tesaldia stood up, her legs slightly shaky. She turned around to see what she had hit. It was a large snow snake.

It was like a snake only it was white with fur along it's back and on its head. It was almost as big as a dragon at about two hundred feet long. Sharaes got up and started snorting and tossing her head. "Sharaes be quiet."

Tesaldia ran over and held the mare's head. Shai got up. "Hey what are you doing?"

Tesaldia looked at him. "Shai, shut up, we ran into a Snow Snake."

Sharaes broke free of Tesaldia's grip and she leapt over the snake. Sharaes slipped and let out a deafening whinny. Tesaldia froze, that had done it, the snow snake had woken up.

Tesaldia was flung violently down the hill as the snakes large tail hit her. It lifted its head and let out a loud hiss. Shai scrambled down the hill, running as fast as he could. The snake plunged down the hill after them. It opened its mouth and bared its glistening fangs.

Tesaldia tripped as she tried to get away. Her mind was whirling. This was not what she had been expecting to find on the side of a mountain. Then Tesaldia fell and came to a stop. She turned around the snake was about to strike! Sharaes was rearing up, trying to frighten the snake, but it was no use. Shai stared, petrified, and unable to move. Tesaldia stared at the snake's bright eyes. It opened its mouth and lunged for her. Tesaldia screamed and put her hands in front of her as the snake plunged down.