Page 182 of Wind Rider

“Mari! Look at you!” Dove’s eyeless face was pointed straight at Mari—but it was Tulpar’s eye the Moon Woman smiled through her tears into.

“Rigel! And Laru! Oh, look how beautiful you are! Nik! Antreas! You are all so beautiful!”

“I don’t understand what’s happening, but it is beyond wonderful,” Mari said.

“Yes, it absolutely is,” said River, smiling up at Dove. “River!” Dove said as Tulpar’s gaze shifted. “Thank you! Thank you! Tulpar was so, so lonely. You helped him—you loved him—while he was waiting for me. I owe you a debt I canneverrepay.”

River’s honest face flushed. “You owe no debt at all. Ghost—I’m sorry—I meanTulparis family.”

“I hope that means I am now family, too. And that’s Anjo! Tulpar, she is spectacular!”

Anjo nickered softly.

There was a sound from the mountain pass behind them as the Pack poured out onto the valley. Tulpar’s head turned in their direction.

“Oh, Tulpar! That is my Pack—those are my people. They will be your people, too! We just traveled so far. Over water and finally through those mountains and—”

The change came over Dove the moment Tulpar’s gaze lifted from the Pack to the mountains. The joy slid from her face like tallow from a candle and was replaced by a look of absolute terror. Tears cascaded down her suddenly pale cheeks, and when she spoke her voice had taken on a familiar singsong tone that had Mari’s blood turning cold with fear.

“I see it now—they who follow

Blue like a wave—dark as the grave

We must fight Him—we must fight Him—with our last breath

He brings destruction and blight

He is Death!”

THE END… for now.