Tales of Tails: Sabine

Chapter Fourteen|We Leave Jorvik

The next morning I wake up with a piece of hay poking me in the eye. I yawn and put all of my will into sitting up. I drag my feet to the sink, fill up the bucket, and grab a bundle of hay. I slosh the bucket full of water into Frost's trough. I give the bundle of hay to Frost and find an apple in my pocket to give to her. The smell of manure begins to overwhelm me, so I muck out the stalls. I tack up Frost after picking her hooves and grooming her and mount her. I pat her neck and increase to a trot. We push open the stable door to see Skylar and Silver waiting outside.
"Charlotte, this is an important day, you should have been ready." Skylar says impatiently.
"Sorry," I mumble.
I feel a little ashamed so I go straight to Frip without stopping. As usual, Alex is there already talking to Frip.
"You guys ready?" Alex asks.
"Yeah." Skylar and I say.
"Good luck, girls." Frip says and pats Alex on the back, ""You know what to do."
Alex snaps her fingers and suddenly we are at the riding ring. We ride down the path and off the mountain. Alex pulls on Silver's reins and on command Silver bucks and kicks open the gate to the Harvest Counties. Alex snaps her fingers and the gate shuts again. We ride through grape fields and past beautiful tall-standing buildings. Finally we reach a rocky beach and Alex stops just before the shore.
"We're going to have to walk on water." Alex says, clearly thinking hard about our adventure.
I take a look at Skylar and she gives me an uncertain look back.
"Guys, I'll be honest with you, this is hard. We should have trained for this." Alex says, apologizing in a way.
We nod.
"You guys, this may sound weird, but attach your horses lead ropes to one another so I can help you guys with balance. So, Skylar, attach your lead rope to the loop on my saddle. Charlotte, do the same with your lead rope but Skylar doesn't have a loop. Um, tie it to the saddle as best you can." Alex instructs.
"Okay," we say in unison.
Once Skylar is hooked to Alex's saddle I tie my lead rope to hers and pull it as tight as possible while trying to avoid rope-burn.
"Ok, ready," I say hastily.
Alex begins to walk into the water. No. ONto the water. She is walking on water as if it is solid. Next goes Skylar, and as soon as I know it Frost's lead rope is pulled tight and Frost starts to walk onto the water. I'm shifting in my saddle as I feel my balance waver.
"Um, is this safe? Am I gonna fa-fall?" I say, shaking.
"Just don't freak out. It's okay. I've done this before and I can get across safely." Alex responds calmly as she gives her horse a light kick coolly. "Please don't get scared, but I'm going to gallop." Alex says, scanning my expression.
I sigh as I say, "Alright."
Alex clucks her tongue and her horse speeds up. Soon Skylar's does too, and like before, mine. Suddenly, the speed is helping me retain balance. I am constantly moving and agile which makes me not able to fall. After a few minutes, Alex pulls on the reins and her horse begins to slow down and the chain reaction makes it's way down our line. Alex walks up to a tiny island barely able to fit the three of us.
"Alright, you guys can unhook your lead ropes now." She tells us.
I give one half-hearted pull and instantly the lead rope is untied. At the end of the island is a rock that is glowing purple.
"You guys ready?" Alex says.
I look at Skylar, and as usual, in unison, we say, "Ready."
Alex pulls the key out of her pocket and touches it to the rock. There is no noise but a blinding light bursting from the pendant.

Next thing I know I can't see anything.