Sinead opened her eyes. Charred tree stumps and scorched earth were all that remained of the beautiful forest. The centaur had gone, the forest creatures, too. Safe, she hoped. Had the Crystal of Nor caused that? But why?
She knew that the Crystal was an agent of protection. A relic from before the time of the Oppressors. It had fallen to her to carry it with her; not to question its purpose.
Sinead reached into Moonsprite’s saddle bag from where it still glowed. She held it aloft. It brightened, pulsating like a heartbeat, pointing a finger of light on the path ahead.
The bridge arched upwards, climbing more steeply than before. The distance remaining, impossible to tell. The sun, now a great orange globe, was beginning its descent. Moonsprite shook her silvery mane and stamped her hooves. It would be a race against time to reach the end before sunset.
Image credit: VulpesErin on Deviant Art
Previous episodes of Sinead’s Final Quest
luna's on line 
Ooh what a place to leave it. Nothing like an impending race against time to stoke the fires for the next chapter!
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Cling to the cliff of suspense!
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My fingertips are hurting! 😂
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Aaaah! Suspense!😬 I guess the Forest had to get burned because even though it was beautiful, it was a temptation to get off the path. 🤔
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Exactly! Drastic but necessary… no dallying with beautiful centaurs for Sinead.
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The Crystal Of Nor took away all distractions and pointed the way. They can make it if they move now!
You’ve put the pressure on Chris. Nice!
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That’s so. A single minded gallop to the finish… 🙂
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I hope they make it. Very gripping story Chris.
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It’s going to be tight… 🙂
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👍👍👍
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Will they do it in time?
Grrr! Time always crops up at the last minute! 😊
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Sure does. Maybe some other obstacles too? We shall see…
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Indeed. Obstacles and time are in competition with each other!
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Love how this is developing. Great cliffhanger ending!
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Thanks Tom. We have to keep the pressure up!
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Ohhh dear…i have a love – hate relationship with suspense.
And this one i love it
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Phew! Thanks Mich 🙂
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Well crafted, enjoyed reading it.. cheers
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Thank you so much. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
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The tension is building…yay!
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Galloping hooves are rattling inside my head…
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All that glitters is not gold. Now I understand what you meant from the last comment of this series. That guy took away the crystal, clever.
All the best Moonsprite and Sinead.
Enjoyed reading the chapter.
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Oops I missed the part where she has the crystal already. Sorry.
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I lost track of where the Crystal was at one point too!
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😊
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The facade has fallen! Oh, now with the sun coming down…a race against time, indeed!
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Shame about the centaur, but we knew he was a distraction!
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