Within moments, the mounted figures reached them. They reined in their horses and Kaira could only stare at them aghast. From head to hoof, the riders and animals were encased in gleaming silver. The horses were massive creatures that pawed the earth restlessly and snorted as their riders attempted to hold them in check. She would not have been surprised to see flames erupt from their nostrils—they were breathing so harshly. Their breath reached out to her, reminding her somehow of the blue mist.

“Who are you,” one of the riders asked, moving forward. A deep blue plume rose from his closed helmet, and Kaira sensed he was the group’s leader.

“Who are you?” Shal asked, her voice shaky.

“They are flesh and blood,” Kaira heard one of the other riders say...

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