To his relief, the soldiers were no match for Storm’s swift hooves and Elenna’s knowledge of the forest. “I’ll tell you everything once we’ve lost the soldiers,” Tom said, glancing behind him anxiously. “Is this chain mail you’re wearing? You’re too young to be a knight, aren’t you?” “Hold tight!” Tom shouted to Elenna as Storm swerved between the trees. They raced through the woods, Silver bounding ahead of them. Storm snorted and leaped forward into a gallop. “Come on!” Seeing Elenna hesitate, he grabbed her hand and helped her scramble onto the horse behind him. “Quick! We’d better get out of here!” Putting his foot in a stirrup, he swung himself onto Storm’s back. But the soldiers thought we were after the local lord’s deer.”Ī noisy crashing came from somewhere behind them. “My father’s a fisherman - but now that the river has dried up, there’s nowhere to fish and nothing to eat.” She sighed. “Were those soldiers after you?” asked Tom.Įlenna frowned.

“I nursed him back to health, and we’ve been friends ever since.” She stepped forward, took his hand and shook it firmly. “I found him injured on a hunting trip to the North,” the girl replied. The girl visibly relaxed and grinned at him, her smile full of warmth. The wolf trotted over to him and pushed its nose into Tom’s hand. I’m not going to hurt you,” he promised, pulling back on the reins until Storm stopped. As she crouched to welcome back her wolf, her green eyes narrowed at Tom. A quiver of arrows was slung over one shoulder. Her black hair was short and messy, and her face was red with scratches. She was tall and skinny, dressed in breeches and a dirty blouse. The wolf moved like the wind, only slowing once it had led Tom and Storm a safe distance from the soldiers.

Ferno the Fire Dragon by Adam Blade