Soul Riders ~ A Forgotten Secret

Chapter Four: The Runestone

Marina was riding Estrella in a smooth, flowing canter on the trail. The two of them had started to see each other in a new light as partners. They had managed save Moorland Stables from being shut down by one of GED's cronies and met some interesting people at the simple, but beautiful stables there. As a reward, Marina and Estrella are allowed to visit them anytime.
It had been a few months since Marina and Estrella had both became famous great partners when it comes to be rescue partners. But that's not the only change about Marina. She had became much more calmer and confident. Though, she likes having a bit of alone time with horses and nature of Jorvik. But she was sad to see that her new friend Brooklyn was still too busy to be with her and won't hack out with her either.
Anyways, they were both on a calm ride together. It didn't take long for Estrella to pick up speed to a calm and steady gallop. The pace didn't slow, and it felt as if Marina was riding a relaxed hawk in a calm and steady rhythm. Trees and long grass flew past underneath them. She glanced over her shoulder to see that the stable and the center are both behind them.
Marina raised herself up slightly as the grassy ground disappeared underneath them for a bit. Estrella had leapt over a log. She felt her golden-blonde hair flowed behind her and her stomach lurched. She almost felt as if she and the stallion were both flying. She tightened her grip on the reins and Estrella slowed down for a moment, long enough for her to regain her balance again and calm down her nervousness. Marina took a deep breath, calming herself down and nodded to Estrella, who nickered softly with a excited look and they both continued their gallop.
They went onto the trails that carried them farther from Moorland Stable and Silverglade Equestrian Center. The paths were almost invisible by green grass and trees, and Marina could make out a small gray fortress in ruins in the shade of the trees. But she soon a small movement in the grass by the ruins of the fortress.
It seemed to be a glowing squirrel, but it barely looked like the natural squirrels she had came across before. Marina dismounted Estrella and walked slowly to the squirrel, trying her best not to accidentally scare it off as she looked at it. She lowered herself to the ground and Marina got a better look at the squirrel. The squirrel seemed to be glowing like a spirit. Estrella walked a bit closer to Marina, eyeing the squirrel warily and calmly.
"Hi there." The squirrel looked up at her, chattering curiously. "Are you lost?"
The squirrel soon ran off towards the right side of them, startling them both at the squirrel's quick speed. Marina felt her instincts tell her that she and Estrella both must follow the squirrel.
"Come on Estrella, we must follow that squirrel!" Marina mounted the silvery mare and they two of them both chased after the squirrel.
They galloped onto the trails that carried them even farther away from the regular trail. The winding paths were flanked by grassy green hills, and Marina could make out the glittering waves of the ocean beyond, the sparkling Silversong River below, and the Silverglade castle looming in the distance.
The wind in Marina's face was in the same rhythm with Estrella's steady and quick breathing. Suddenly, in the middle a leafy and flowery group of trees, a clearing carpeted with soft grass had opened up. The clearing was bathed in the warm, golden light. There was a large stone monolith with ancient writings and unique carvings on it, with some huge rocks behind it. Marina pulled on the reins and Estrella came to a stop. Around the same time, the squirrel had disappeared into the stone. Marina was a little alarmed and startled as the runes on the strange stone had started to glow bright magenta on the surface of the stone.
"What is happening, Estrella?" Marina asked her horse.
Estrella nickered and her shook head, causing a bit of her forelock to go over her warm eyes. But they soon heard a galloping horse and a rider coming their way. Marina and Estrella both stepped back, closer to the shade of the stone.
The horse was a small, muscular golden-chestnut stallion with a long, wild bright golden mane and tail had came to the hill. On the horse's saddled back was a tawny-haired girl with mischievous golden-brown eyes and clothes that a casual city girl might wear.
"Did you see that Tin-Can?" asked the girl. "The stone had lit up like a bonfire."
The stallion, Tin-Can, snorted and nickered after he saw Marina and Estrella watching them from the shadow of the strange stone.
"What's that? We're not alone?" The girl looked up from her horse and that's when she saw Marina and Estrella.
"Um... Hi?" Marina gave an awkward wave to the girl.
"Oh, I didn't see you there," said the girl with a reassuring smile that put Marina at ease and smiled back at the bold-hearted, but friendly girl. "I'm Alex Cloudmill and this Tin-Can." Tin-Can nickered a hello. "You came to Jorvik to ride horses all summer, right?"
"Something like that, yes," Marina said with a small nod. "I used to live in Cape West Fishing Village, but now I'm living at Jarlaheim."
Alex nodded understandingly and looked at Marina with a mysterious look on her face before she said, "There's more to this island than you'll find in brochures. Are you ready to learn about the hidden side of Jorvik?"
Marina felt a thrill of excitement for a brand new adventure coming up their alley. "We're ready." Marina smiled determinedly and patted Estrella's neck as the beautiful silvery mare nickered.
"I wish I knew why this ancient rock is glowing," said Alex, looking at the rock. "I never seen it react like that before."
But that's when they saw a slightly rotund, chestnut horse with a shiny white mane and tail coming towards them. On the other horse's saddled back was a girl with her black hair tied into a bun with extra hair clips, glasses over her kind hazel eyes, and some casual clothes too. Who are they? What are they doing here?
"Alex, Tin-Can," said the black-haired girl. "You felt it too? I don't think the Dark Core is — Oh!" That's when the girl had noticed Marina and Estrella had been silently standing there with and watching them with open, curious expressions.
"Hi Linda, we have a new friend." Alex said, giving Marina a confused smile. "This is—"
"Marina," Marina said softly with a small smile. "Marina Wiseheart."
"This is curious," said Linda thoughtfully as she looked at Marina. "It seemed as if the stone is responding to Marina's presence. Could she be one of the candidates that Fripp had been talking about out?"
"Candidates?" Marina asked curiously.
"Young riders who has the potential to help Jorvik," clarified Linda. "It's their destiny." Linda sighed. "I wish I could stay and talk, but I'm close to cracking the case of the investigation of you know who."
"The library beckons," commented Alex playfully.
"You want to join me, Alex?" Linda asked. "Books don't bite."
"They don't?" complained Alex, almost making Marina laugh. Alex sure has a rebellious streak, that's for sure. "But those are the best kinds. Come at me, biting books!"
"On second thought, maybe its safer if you stay out of the library," Linda said quickly, making Marina snickered with amusement. "Come on Meteor, old friend. Let's head towards Silverglade Manor."
Linda nodded to Marina and Estrella with a smile. Meteor nickered and Linda giggled. "Fine, we'll get some apples for you." Linda looked back at them. "See you later, Alex. Nice meeting you, Marina."
Linda turned Meteor around and they both galloped towards Silverglade. There's something special about these two girls and their horses, figured Marina. But what?
"There's no mystery that Linda can't solve," said Alex, catching Marina's attention. "She's basically a genius. A genius with a horse and magic powers. You know, the total package." Alex looked at the stone and back at Marina. "It seemed that destiny wants us to meet." Alex looked up at the cloudless blue sky. "Well done destiny!"
"Who are you two?" Questions started to circle around in Marina's mind about these two mysterious riders.
"We're half of the Soul Riders," said Alex simply. "Like a riding club, but we have to save the world."
"I wish I could help." Marina felt in awe and respect by the friendly and bold-hearted girl.
"I respect you wanting to help us out, but there are prophecies and rituals," said Alex.
"Sounds dangerous," Marina said grimly.
"It is," agreed Alex. "Nobody could handle the responsibility. That's why we're Sisterhood, but it's still a big responsibility. You should head home. But if you are the one, I hope we'll meet again. It was nice meeting you. I like your horse by the way."
"Thanks Alex," Marina said with a smile.
"Come on Tin-Can!" said Alex excitedly. "I sense adventures! Here we come adventures!"
Marina and Estrella both watched as Alex and Tin-Can galloped away towards who knows where with overwhelming excitement and energy. Marina wondered if she could ever be that brave and adventurous as Alex or smart and secretive as Linda. Probably not, but she'll try to be brave her own way.
"Come on Estrella." Marina patted Estrella's white mane. "Let's get going."
Estrella reared up on her hind legs and let out a wild neigh, while Marina whooped and laughed excitedly as the two of them took off back towards Jorvik Stables.