Since I passed the mountain valley, I should head northwest now….
Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint gurgle of water. The prospect of cool water made her momentarily forget the pain. Tugging Rem along by the reins, she walked toward the sound, even though every step felt as though a knife twisted in her thigh. After walking for some time, she reached a stream rushing between towering trees.
She led Rem to even ground, then crouched on a rock to splash the gloriously cold water on her flushed face and burning eyes, paying no mind to her hair or clothes getting wet. Rem plunged her muzzle into the water and began to gulp it down. Maxi felt blissful wiping her clammy neck from the stream. If she could have, she would have submerged her whole, sweat-soaked body in it.
But now is not the time for a bath.
Suppressing the urge, she forced herself to her feet. Rem snorted, reluctant to leave. Maxi started to coax her when she spotted something.
It was a white horse half submerged in the water.
And it was staring right at her.
Maxi froze and glanced around. What was a horse doingthis deep in the mountains? She scanned the trees, wondering if its owner was nearby, but there was only silence.
Could it be a wild horse?
When she turned back, she was startled to find herself face to face with it. Somehow it had closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Maxi shrank back, but the horse merely sniffed and nudged her with its head as if to reassure her that it meant no harm.
After a moment’s hesitation, Maxi stroked its bluish-silver mane. The wild horse gave a snort of pleasure. It seemed so placid that Maxi dropped her guard and began stroking the horse’s muzzle with both hands. It was a beautiful creature, its coat as smooth as velvet, as if it were straight out of a child’s fairy tale.
Maxi marveled at the magnificent beast until something made her blink in surprise.
The horse’s rear was still submerged in water, and protruding from it was a scaly tail swaying buoyantly from side to side.
“Get back!”
The thunderous bellow came from behind her, but as Maxi jerked her head up to look for the source, her body was pulled back. Losing her balance, Maxi flailed her arms. The wild horse had latched on to the edge of her cloak and was dragging her into the water. She struggled against it, but it was too strong, and she plunged into the water. Maxi desperately thrashed about, but no matter how much she floundered, her feet were unable to gain purchase. Terror gripped her.
How deep can it be?!
Then, out of nowhere, strong arms pulled her body upward. Maxi instinctively clung on to her savior. She felt her cloak rip, and suddenly she was free from the creature dragging her underwater. The moment she cleared the surface, Maxi gasped for air, still latched on to her rescuer. The wild horse let out a haunting whinny, then disappeared back under the water.
Maxi stared at the river. It was like nothing had ever been there. The valley seemed as tranquil as ever, silent and beautiful.
“What in the devil were you thinking?!”
Maxi whirled about at the harsh voice. She was stunned to find herself gazing up at Riftan. His face was furious as he grabbed her by the shoulders.
“You were touching a monster! Are you out of your mind?!” He shook her as he yelled, his voice breaking slightly. “That was a kelpie! Do you realize what could have happened to you?!”
“I-I did not know it was a monster. I-I thought it was a wild horse…” Maxi said, barely managing to open her mouth.
Riftan’s gaze bored into her before he pulled her into an embrace so tight that it was difficult to breathe. Her aching body was crushed uncomfortably against his armor, but Maxi was so overwhelmed with relief that she did not care. Murmuring his name over and over, she wound her arms around his neck and cried like a child.
Riftan caressed her face, her hair, the nape of her neck, his shaking hands carefully inspecting her from head to toe. “Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Unable to believe that he was really in front of her, Maxijust clung to him as though her life depended on it. “N-No, I am all right.”
Riftan crushed her against him once more, then shook her. “I told you that you must not stray from the formation. I told you countless times! Damn it, do you know how scared I was?”
“I-I am sorry. R-Rem was frightened, and…”
She rambled on, explaining to him how she had gotten lost and had been trying to find her way back. Riftan did not appear to be listening. He merely held her for a long time, only loosening his arms when a cold drizzle started.
He helped her to her feet and asked in a choked voice, “Do you think you can walk?”
Maxi nodded. Although she felt as though she could collapse at any moment, she would walk all night if he asked her to. With Rem’s reins in one hand and Maxi’s in the other, Riftan led them out of the clearing. Maxi trudged behind him, her wet boots squelching with each step.
