The Huntress

Chapter One: Fall Ride

Lefa awoke as sunlight poured through her bedroom window. Blinking she pushed herself into an upright position and, brushing a few stray brown locks out of her hazel green eyes she slid out of bed and was dressed and out the door in a matter of minutes. It was one of those beautiful fall days where all you needed was a light jacket to keep warm and it was also a perfect day to ride.

Taking in deep lung fulls of the crisp fall air Lefa hummed to herself as she made her way to the paddock. Bandera was all ready standing at the gate when she arrived. The big black stallion seemed just as eager for a trail ride as Lefa was. The horse all but buckled the halter to his head for her and pranced about as she lead him to the crossties. Lefa groomed Bandera until his coat glowed in the golden fall light and once saddle and bridal where in place she gave a chuck of the reigns and a click of her tongue and the stallion pranced down the road towards the trailhead.

The duo had spent the entire day plodding down winding trails littered with leaves, galloping up long backcountry roads and even jumping a few downed fences by the old mill. They had stopped beside an old apple tree that stretched its branches out over the road dropping fruit all over. It had been a perfect day, Lefa thought as she sat munching on one of the fallen apples. Bandera grazed near by occasionally crunching into one of the red fruits himself. The girl heaved a contented sigh and then rolled to her feet. Bandera trotted to her side and she gave him a pat. "I think its time we headed back towards home my black." She crooned. "It will be dark soon and we've a ways to go." The stallion nickered in agreement.

Picking up some of the apples Lefa put them in a small saddlebag and then mounted and they set off at a brisk walk. Dusk settled much quicker than Lefa had first thought it would and a thin mist began to form around the tree roots and snake out onto the road.

The trees that had seemed so beautiful in the daylight suddenly became ominous gray shadows in the twilight.