Messenger in the Mist by Aubrie Dionne Page A

but for Zetta as well. Her superior would have to answer to those above, and her decisions would be questioned.
    “What do you want of me?”
    “Forgiveness. I cannot say why I did what I did, but I can say you were right.”
    “And that’s it? Just forgiveness?”
    Zetta’s shoulders tensed. “No. I need you to ride out and deliver a second set of letters. I’ve already contacted the senders and allowed time for them to rewrite their correspondence, which must be received.”
    “Why don’t you choose another messenger?”
    Star had never seen Zetta’s eyes shine so brightly with fear. “No one will go out, not after what happened to Tia. They refuse.”
    “And what if I say no?”
    “Then we will lose all contact with Ravencliff. If no one will ride out, the queen will shut down Interkingdom Carriers. All of our jobs will be gone.”
    Star was skeptical. “Come, Zetta, there must someone who—”
    “No.” Zetta’s eyes held certainty. “Believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve even asked people on the street, anyone who can ride a horse.”
    “Ravencliff must have riders.”
    Zetta’s gaze grazed the floor, avoiding her eye. “Their fastest one quit our Interkingdom Carriers a few years back. Since then, no one has stepped up to take his place. They don’t have the same training academies and riding competitions in Ravencliff that we do.”
    Star bit her lower lip, thinking fast.
    “The carrier’s parcel is packaged and ready to go. You can ride out immediately.”
    Star wouldn’t do it for Zetta or even for the Interkingdom Carriers. She would do it for Valen, to get a chance to see him again. “I’ll leave tomorrow at dusk.”
     

Chapter 10
    Trail of Blood
     
    The metalwork of the grid screeched in Star’s wake, covering Windracer’s rapid hoofbeats. Pent up for two days with nowhere to run, Windracer burst into a wild stampede, propelling them forward like they were demons fleeing the rise of the sun. Star grasped Windracer’s bridle, the breeze whipping her cloak behind her.
    This time Star rode prepared. She carried a long sword and a torch stick and wore a sentinel helmet. The metal dug into her head and shoulders uncomfortably, and she didn’t like the extra weight it put on Windracer’s back. The broad visor made peripheral sight difficult. Her breath echoed in her ears, resounding in her helmet as if the entire countryside could hear. However, it was necessary to protect her from the attacks above.
    As Star entered the valley of the moors, she flipped up the visor, looking for any sign of what had happened to Tia. The winding trail was as bare as ever, and the mist cloaked everything beyond twenty feet ahead.
    Because of the rainstorm that had swept the land, Tia’s horse’s tracks would be gone. Star studied the countryside for any sign of a struggle amidst the leafless, scrawny trees and marsh weed, but the moors hid its secrets well. Star searched for Tia’s remains, wondering if there was anything left.
    She was almost halfway to Ravencliff when she rode over a patch of stained dirt. At first, it seemed the dark soil was still damp from the rain, then Star realized with a chilling eeriness in the pit of her stomach that the sand was dry. The rain had only spread the mess, leaking color down around the raised trail to mingle with the marsh water. The sand was not wet, but tainted with blood.
    Star turned Windracer around. She had to go back. The desire to know what happened overwhelmed all other concerns.
    As she neared the sight of the blood-smeared road, Star slowed Windracer to a canter. She rounded the scene, studying the shape of the stain. Although it had trickled in all directions, the darkest and thickest trail led off of the road into the marsh to her left.
    She led Windracer into the bog, her horse’s hooves splashing in the water. She hoped the noise wasn’t loud enough to alert the Elyndra to her presence. Holding her breath, Star unsheathed her long sword.
    The marsh