I looked to where he pointed. To me, it looked no different than any other rock formations surrounding us.

“There’s a wood in a valley just over the hill,” he continued. “We need to get there before the storm.”

Hosea held my reins as we started at a fast trot. Within the hour, the wind picked up, speeding the storm’s approach. It closed in from the south and west, spanning the sky and blotting out the horizon. At this pace, the gust would catch us before we reached shelter.

Hosea signaled to William as he reined in. “We have to move faster.”

William nodded.

Hosea dismounted and untied the rope from my waist. The wind whipped harder, looping one of my braids around his neck. He deposited Mary’s reins into my left hand as he detangled himself. “You’ll have to learn quickly,” he said. “These give you control. Give slack for speed and tighten if you want to slow down.” He glanced over his shoulder at the sky. “For now, you’ll want to give her her head. Whatever you do, do not let go of the reins—understand?”

I stalled, my heart in my throat, but I nodded.

“Good. Pull left to go left and right to go right,” he said.

I wiped my hands and made a fist around the bambi reins.

“If she gets away from you, don’t panic. Just hold tight. She’ll lead you someplace safe.”

The wind spun wildly in cyclones. Up close, I saw the fog was not a cloud formation, but a solid wall of sand. The horses stamped nervously. Hosea remounted Cumin and turned to me, his mouth tight. “Stay close, Cobane. If we get separated, head in that direction.” He pointed again at our target.

The howl of the wind made speech impossible. Hosea nodded and, tremulously, I nodded back. He turned forward, slapped Cumin’s rear and bounded off. William did the same. I swallowed hard, and loosened the reins.

* * *

Mary reared up and I slid to the left. I screamed and gripped the saddle, certain I was going to die. As we gained speed, so did the wind. It weaponized the sand, a thousand tiny canines biting my skin. I doubled my hands on the horn, but my palms, slick with sweat, refused to hold. I threw my head back and bellowed for help. The pounding hooves drowned me out. I was entirely alone. My fingers slipped. I glanced back. Instantly, I wished I hadn’t.

To my terrified mind, the thing behind us was not a storm, but a demon. A smoke-wall of dust, arching back and bulging forth, consuming everything. Its pull was irresistible, advancing like a pack of wolves. One beast surged forward and I saw its eyes—like black steel. Another lunged over me, snuffing every joule of light. With a shout, I curled into the saddle, covered my head and dropped the reins.