Chapter 28

After a hunt failed, the chasers were expected to return to the hunt leader while a new plan was devised, either to try again or to cut their losses and return home empty handed. One day, though, Vaya had ignored the call to come back.

They had been hunting horses. Fast and dangerous beasts. They were always a risky hunt, and this particular drove had outpaced the pack easily as soon as they caught wind of the wolves stalking them, streaming down the valley past Vaya and her fellow chasers.

It was then that she had seen her opportunity. The valley hemmed the drove in on both sides, leaving them only two ways to run, one of which was blocked off by the other hunters.

Taking her chance, she had darted directly into the flank of the group of animals, pouncing on the nearest one and forcing it to the ground in a tangle of kicking legs. It was a move that could very easily have left her trampled, but she had judged her target carefully.

The colt she brought down w