The road they traveled had turned sharply to the north, and sure enough a great chain of mountains loomed to their west. The peaks were purple and red, and Tessanna commented on their beauty.“We are not far,” Qurrah said. “It is only a two-day ride, given Seletha’s speed.”“She’s a good girl,” Tessanna said, brushing her side with her fingers. “Aren’t you, Seletha?”The horse snorted. Bits of flame and black smoke came from her giant nostrils. They had ridden the entire morning, and still the creature showed no sign of exhaustion. Qurrah did not know how Tessanna had learned to summon the creature, but it surely was an amazing gift.“Give me your arms,” Qurrah said. The girl obeyed, circling her hands around his waist. He took them and held on as Tessanna nestled her face against his neck and sighed.“I could stay like this forever,” she said.“Will you settle for a couple hours?”“I will.”With a kick from Qurrah’s heels, the giant steed galloped on, straight for the Sanctuary.That night, as Tessanna slept in Qurrah’s arms beside a dying fire, she first heard the voice.
