The Last of Their Kind

Chapter 1 - A Brewing Storm

"We need to find shelter. Now." Izzie Clisbey exclaimed, looking East.

"How come? It seems alright to me." Andrew commented.

"No, she is right." Michael pointed to dark clouds rolling quickly towards them.

"But it's ninety degrees." Complained Andrew, though well aware that storms arise within seconds in these parts.

"I know where to go, follow me. Hurry." She guided them and their horses quickly west as fast as she could, she slowed down and stopped, "gather dry wood and kindling. As much as you can. Trust me. I'm refilling our water bottles at the stream."

They obeyed, jumping off their horses, tying them to a fallen down tree, and gathering what she requested. Meanwhile, Izzie took the liberty to kneel in prayer. After that, she gathered the water, plus extra for the horses. She gathered berries and fruits and other eatables in a pouch and grass and apples for the horses.

"Now what?" Andrew asked, holding a fair amount of wood in his arms.

"Follow me. Michael, you wait here and watch the horses. We shall return in a moment." Izzie lead Andrew away and lead him to a cave out of sight and barely visible.

"Wow, how'd you find this?" Andrew looked at the opening which seemed super small.

"I have my ways. Come." She walked into the cave. Andrew was hesitant.

"Do you believe it is safe? There could be a cave in."

"No, it's fine. I know it is. I have been here before. It has sheltered me and my relatives in times of trouble for many centuries." Izzie assured him, "put the wood there." she pointed to a spot with already some wood.

"Why don't we just ride back to camp?" Andrew asked.

"We wouldn't make it in time. This is much safer. We might be here a few hours, or a few days. One never knows." Izzie sighed.

"You're right. I know we'd never make it back safely. I was just hopeful." Andrew smiled slightly with a look of concern on his face.

"Come, let's get Michael." They walked back to Michael.

"The horses. They are restless." Michael noted, trying to sooth Klassika, a beautiful white mare, down.

"They know of the danger that is coming. They grow restless in waiting for it to come. They sense the need to find shelter." Izzie walked slowly up to Klassika, and took the reins from Michael. She looked into the horse's eyes and calmed her down speaking something that was not understandable to Michael and Andrew.

"She listened." Michael was surprised, "Klassika never gets calmed down when she is frightened unless it is by her master."

"I am not her master, but she listens to me. Never say never, my friend." Izzie smiled, "who is her master?"

"Chase Bree. He let me ride her because she is good at direction and she grew up in these lands." Michael took back the calmed horse and petted her, smiling.

"You really like her, don't you?" Izzie noted.

"Yes, I want her for my own. She is a beautiful creature, caring and loving." He said.

"She likes you too. She likes your touch." Izzie commented.

"Sorry to break it to you, but the clouds are coming in faster and darker. We must hurry." Andrew broke the silence that followed Izzie's last remark.

"I say we have about an hour or two." Michael guessed.

"I agree. Let us take the horses down to the river and wash them so they can be refreshed for what is ahead of them." Izzie spoke up.