Silver Flames

Chapter 30

   I pawed the ground nervously as I heard the sound of hoofbeats. The three Dark Riders came galloping up the the road, Colette leading them. They stopped when they saw us. Colette's friesian looked and me and said "Silverblaze". You could here the hate in his voice. "Darkspirit" I replied in the same tone. We didn't have a good history, even before he'd become Colettes partner. We stood waiting to see who'd make the first move. Finally Darkspirit mumbled "I can't stand this waiting" and blasted dark energy at me. I leapt out of the way feeling Jacky balance herself as I did. The fighting felt like a blur. It was clear Darkspirit was focused on me, and I ended up mainly fighting him. Jacky as a result was fighting mostly with Colette. I managed to burn my foe's shoulder which slowed him down a little but he then managed to kick my side which nearly sent me toppling over. Finally just as I thought he'd turned to retreat, I saw he'd actually gone around me. He was heading right for the stable! I wasn't going to let them get near Sunny, I turned and galloped after him. I raced into the stable to see Sunny fighting him and Colette, Pepper huddled in the back of the stall. Sunny was still weak from having her foal though and fell over unable to fight. "You get away from her!" I yelled rearing up in a challenge and surprising Jacky. She quickly regained her balance though. Colette looked me right in the eye and said "Silly horse, did you really think we were after her? It's him we want" she then grabbed Pepper, who squealed in fright. I looked at Sunny, my heart breaking at how helpless she looked. "Get Pepper" Sunny whispered out of breath. I turned and bolted after Colette and Darkspirit. It wasn't hard to follow them, Pepper was neighing loudly for his mom. Colette stopped near the edge of a cliff and I stopped to. If any of us moved we'd go over the edge. But if I didn't act, they'd take my son to who knows where. "Jacky" I whispered "I want you to get off and go back to the others" "No" she replied "whatever your doing I'm with you". Knowing I couldn't convince her otherwise I charged Darkspirt. Jacky quickly seeing what I was doing, shot fire in Colettes face causing her to drop Pepper right before the four of us went over the edge. I could see Pepper watching over the edge and in that moment I could see right into his soul. They say when a magic horse knows he's about to die he can see what people and horses really are. I whispered to Jacky "My spirit burns with Silver Flames and his burns flames of gold". Having said what I'd seen, I closed my eyes and waited for the world to disappear.