Chapter VIII, Reading 3

Flindra invoked the power of Rigga and left the yurt.  She checked the area for signs of danger and then galloped out into the valley.  The sky was cloudless and the sun was low on the horizon.  It was cold, but the cold added to Flindra's exhilaration.  She felt as free as the wind.

She let Deru decide the direction to take.  He was enjoying himself and quickly accelerated from a gallop to a run.  Soon, Flindra ceased to be concerned with her responsibilities.  She was cognizant only of the horse beneath her legs and his motion in space.

She found herself becoming aware of Deru's consciousness as the power shield overlapped him.  The awareness progressed to the point where there was no dividing line between the woman and the horse.  Mentally, Flindra had merged with Deru.  In a state of total empathy, it was now her feet in contact with the ground, her lungs pulling in air, her heart beating with the exertion of the run.

The sensation didn't end until Deru slowed to a gallop and then to a trot.  Flindra fondly stroked his neck as she reined him to a walk.  She was giddy from the ride, which had been one of the most exciting moments of her life.  For a moment, she had experienced what it was like to be a horse and to have its speed.

She was also amazed that she could establish such a close mental contact with another creature.  She knew this was Rigga's doing.  It might be wise to practice with this new aspect of the power ring for it might come in handy later.

To test the effectiveness of the mind link with Deru, Flindra intensified the purple aura surrounding them both.  She then imagined moving toward the left at a slow gallop.  Deru immediately complied with her mental instructions.  She then moved him through a series of circles at various gaits.  All the while, the reins hung slack across the horse's neck and she restrained from giving any signals through her body position or movements.  Control was transmitted entirely through the mental link.

She finally stopped him and stroked his neck with pleasure and affection.  "I'll have to ask Kewero about this, Deru.  I think this aspect of Rigga could be useful.  I wonder if I can do this with people or if it is limited to animals.  For the moment, old friend, we need to find some likely game to bring back to her.  It won't do to return empty handed."

She nudged him forward with a conventional cue and began to scan the countryside for any sign of game.  There probably weren't many animals around this time of year.  She suspected that most would migrate to a more benign climate to pass the winter, but there would be a few remaining in this hostile spot.

There was no need to retrace her steps on her return to Kewero.  She knew where she was and decided to take a different way back.  That would increase her odds of finding game.  She rode Deru out of the small valley and felt the full blast of the north wind when she made the rim.

Deru was not pleased to be walking into the wind and protested by turning his head around and nibbling at her boot toe.

"I know," she said with a laugh.  "I don't like it either."  She gave him a bit more leg to force him on.

After riding for half a mile, they intersected another valley, which headed in the general direction she needed to take to return to Kewero.  Both were relieved to descend into the valley and to escape the fiercest bite of the wind.

This valley was deeper than it initially looked from the rim.  A small brook flowed along the valley floor.  At least it flowed in the summer.  Now, it was only a ribbon of ice.  The banks of the brook were choked with a heavy growth of willow scrub, which would provide good cover for any wildlife taking shelter there.