THIRTEEN YEARS LATER
Rain was riding back to Samlett's after a visit to the Celestial Valley.
"I'm not any happier about the situation with the Sunchaser and Arianna than you are Celadon," she muttered. "But Atalanta gave us a task, and we will do our best to complete it." Celadon snorted her malcontent. She was light green, the color of the first leaves of spring; her horn was emerald, and the pale aquamarine at its base flashed as Celadon tossed her head.
"Yes, I know the Dreamspeaker gave us a task, but there's one problem," she said. Rain sighed.
"We have to find Arianna and the Sunchaser first," she said. Celadon nodded.
"Atalanta said she would let me know when they came to Balinor," Rain said. "Where they will come in, she does not know." Celadon snorted.
"Or how," she added. "There are more ways into Balinor than I can count." Rain agreed.
"Come on," she said. "It's starting to get dark. I want to get to Samlett's." Celadon obliged and moved into a smooth canter. Rain shuddered.
"What?" Celadon asked. "Was I going too fast?" Rain shook her head.
"No," she said. "I always twitch like that when Atalanta crosses between Balinor and the human realms. I'm fine." Celadon snorted again and finished the journey to Samlett's quickly.