Ellabeth's Light

Ellabeth's Light — page 9
blocking out the house The wind howled making the roof rattle and the walls shake It sure is odd for this time of year she said It’s just a freak storm Willow said as she filled Obecky’s basket with fresh oats I hope that’s all it is and not a sign of something bad to come Krystal said as she patted Estrella to reassure her Storms always made her flighty When the rain finally stopped the Riders trudged back to the house Ellabeth spotted something fluttering beneath a gardenia bush Just recently the plant had been covered with creamy fragrant flowers But the storm had knocked every last petal off so they now lay in a thick sludge on the ground What’s that Ellabeth asked as she bent down for a closer look Oh no Ellabeth crawled beneath the bush Flowers plastered her hands and legs She caught a drenched injured bird lying there and brought it into the open It’s Belmont Quinn gasped And he’s hurt Belmont was a messenger falcon He flew all over Avamay delivering messages for Queen Heart and helping the Riders What’s he doing out in this storm Krystal asked He probably got caught and didn’t have time to find shelter