For a while, they just sat there, watching the fire and listening to the rain. As scary as it was, it was also beautiful in a way.
***
Sometime in the early morning hours, the storm subsided, and by the time they had eaten breakfast and left the cave, the sun was peeking through the clouds. The fire had kept them warm, and the cave had kept them dry. Overall, it wasn’t a bad night. They were both eager to get to Rapid City, though, and hoped that the storm had passed completely.
A couple of hours later, the sky was clear and bright blue again. The earth around them was still wet, and they had moved from open prairies to more wooded terrain. The air smelled damp, and their clothes were smudged with mud. She didn’t mind being dirty as long as they were safe.
As they traveled, Dakota realized just how big the storm had been. Hours had passed, and as far as she could see, everything was still wet. Rain was a good thing, but considering the terrain they were traversing, she would have preferred dry land. There weren’t swamps, but there was a big patch of wetland ahead of them, and given the amount of rainthat had fallen, it was going to be much trickier to navigate than usual.
Riot’s and Africa’s hooves sank into the muddy ground as they walked. “I don’t like this,” Dakota stated, starting to feel a little panicked.
“That makes two of us.” Blade shifted in his seat. “Do you want to turn back and see if we can find a way around?”
Dakota hesitated for a moment before replying. “How far do you think this stretches?”
“You see where those big trees are up ahead?” Blade pointed to two huge trees. “There’s an incline. The ground should be relatively dry beyond there.”
It wasn’t too far, maybe another twenty-five feet or so. “Finding a way around could take forever. I’m sure we’ll be all right if we just go slow.”
Blade nodded. “Then we continue.”
The ground beneath them became more uneven with every step, and before long, Dakota was seriously reconsidering her decision. “This was a bad idea.”
“Yeah,” Blade agreed. “But it wouldn’t help to turn around now.”
“Just a few more steps, Riot,” Dakota whispered as she ran her hand through her horse’s mane.
They were nearing the trees and the upward slope when, without warning, the ground beneath Riot’s feet gave way, causing his front legs to sink deep into the ground. Riot let out a frightened neigh as he started to struggle beneath her.
Dakota’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. They never should have entered the wetlands. They should have found another way, but it was too late, and now they were in big trouble.
Blade’s eyes grew wide as he turned to see what was happening. “Hold still,” he instructed.
Dakota and Riot must have chosen the worst spot to walk because the ground in front of Blade and Africa appeared to be steady and even. Blade carefully turned Africa around and walked over to where Riot was still struggling.
“It isn’t quicksand. He’s just stuck.” Blade pulled a rope from one of his bags and slipped down from Africa’s back.
The mud was deep, coming up to below his knees. Blade didn’t seem too worried, but Dakota was battling to keep herself calm.
“I’m going to tie the rope around Riot and then pull him out with Africa,” he told her. “I’ve seen it done before.”
“Okay, just be careful.”
“Always am,” Blade replied with a smile.
Dakota knew it was a lie he liked to tell. Blade was generally a responsible person, but when it came to his own well-being, he tended to be reckless. Nevertheless, she didn’t argue. Instead, she watched as he looped the rope around Riot and then got back onto Africa.
“Hold on tight,” Blade instructed, and then urged Africa to move in the opposite direction.
Africa was a strong horse, but even with all his strength, it took a while to free Riot. When his hooves finally got loose, he stumbled to the side but managed to keep his balance. Dakota let out a deep breath and leaned forward, embracing Riot. For a moment, the four of them just stood there, happy that the worst was over.
“All right,” Dakota said, sitting up straight. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 19
Dakota desperately needed a bath. With all the mud from the storm, she looked and felt a mess. She wasn’t usually bothered by things like that, but her hair had become knotted, and her clothes were just plain disgusting. Besides, they were close to Rapid City, and they couldn’t go walking around the town looking the way they did.
Luckily, they managed to find a small creek running through a valley. It was a beautiful area, and they were both tired. “It’s already noon,” Dakota said as she dismounted Riot. “I say we wash ourselves and our clothes, and camp here for the night.”
