Cathump-clop, cathump-clop.

“Giddyup, Kyttie! Hurry!” I called to Friskyt, my horse. The sky was already growing darker. It was a dangerous time to be outside, especially without my amulet to keep the Shamoskises away. Demon Horses. The terrors of the night. My friend, Shea, told me that they would kill you at first sight. “Aknise,” she had said, “watch out for them. They will eat your soul.” I remembered her warning now. Now, when the demons ruled.

Suddenly, out of the darkness, came a shrill, terrifying whinny. My breath caught in my chest. Kyttie was panting, foam flying from her lips. She knew of the Shamoskises, too.

Her hoofs barely touched the ground as she sprinted for her life. But we both knew that it was a hopeless battle. Abruptly behind us, there was another nicker. Closer, too. Then another, this time in front. I reined in Kyttie as fast as I could and then stood there, paralyzed. Suddenly, the air exploded into a cacophony of whinnies, nickers, and screams, followed by a sudden rustle of leaves. A dozen shadowy horses broke from the forest around me, rearing and silent. I backed away, but heard an annoyed snort behind me. I stifled a scream and turned Kyttie back around. The others had ventured closer, too. Suddenly, the leader, I guessed, reared up with a long, piercing whinny. The black Shamoskises rose around me in a tornado of slashing hoofs and biting teeth. I screamed, in unison with my horse.

Kyttie reared, flaying her hoofs and snapping her teeth at the Shamoskises. Some backed away, but others came after her. She bucked under them and escaped the circle. But they came after her again. I was tossed about but somehow stayed on her back. Suddenly, above me, loomed the grinning face of a Shamoskise. There was a lurch beneath me as Kyttie met him, and then I blacked out.

I woke up later. Above me, Kyttie was standing guard. She was slashed and bloodied, but we both had come through alive. I stood up and rubbed her forehead, murmuring “Thank you.”