Free Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black

what was once the town. Although the sun was nearly set, the remnant ambient light was bright enough for Leinad to chart their course. It also revealed the approaching darkness beneath the rising orange cloud of the Vactor Deluge.
    As they approached the rugged terrain of the Tara Hills, Leinad did not pause to route their ascent. He let Deliverance choose the path of least resistance. “Attaboy, Deliverance. We’re almost there.” He patted the steed’s wet hide.
    â€œAre we gonna make it, Leinad?” Tess asked.
    â€œWe’re going to make it, Tess. Just you wait and see.”
    â€œBut it’s movin’ so fast!” she exclaimed and pointed to the ferocious mass that was now three-fourths of the way across the plain.
    â€œWe’ll make it,” Leinad said to assure both of them.
    He urged Deliverance farther into the foothills and up the mountains, away from destruction. He wondered how high they must climb to escape the encroaching horror. The ascent seemed agonizingly slow compared to the pace they were used to crossing the plain.
    The Vactor Deluge reached the foothills, and the base trees disappeared beneath the black mass. Leinad focused on one large group of trees, which slowly collapsed until there was nothing.
    Deliverance hesitated at a steep rise in their path. The beast was nearly spent and began to stumble occasionally, but Leinad had no choice but to push him onward. Leinad figured the Vactor Deluge would be upon them soon. There was little time left.
    A bizarre sound accompanied the eerie orange mist that seemed to rise from the consuming mass. It sounded to Leinad like a million twigs were being stepped on at the same time. It was a sound that grew louder and louder. Leinad’s mind begged for it to stop—but it would not be stopped.
    How high …? How high must we climb?
Leinad asked himself.
    As the Vactor Deluge approached, its speed was even more evident. The rise in terrain did not slow it like it didtheir horse. Deliverance stumbled and nearly fell. His panting was deep and rapid.
    â€œHere it comes, Leinad! What are we going to do?”
    Leinad kicked Deliverance to climb the rise in front of them, and the powerful muscles moved them forward one more time. Up … up … up. The noise was incessant, and the rising orange mist had a sharp odor that penetrated their nostrils.
    The Vactor Deluge was upon them.
    An outcrop of rocks formed a ledge and was just a few paces before them. Leinad directed Deliverance to it. Tess could not take her eyes off the enveloping dark mass as it quickly overtook them. Deliverance could go no more.
    â€œStand up and jump to the rocks, Tess!” Leinad shouted.
    She steadied herself by holding on to Leinad’s shoulders and jumped to the rock ledge above them. The Vactor creatures reached the hooves of the horse and enveloped his legs.
    â€œKeep climbing, Tess! Keep climbing!”
    â€œJump, Leinad!” Tess screamed.

    Deliverance neighed wildly and bit at the vicious mass moving up his body. Leinad stood and nearly fell for the shaking of the steed under its pain. The horse became a moving blackmass, and Leinad jumped as Deliverance fell to the ground in agony. Having lost some of his momentum from the horse’s fall, Leinad landed short of his target and hung on the rock ledge with his feet dangling below. Some of the Vactor creatures had reached his feet before he jumped, and Leinad felt the leather of his shoes fall away. Instantly, he felt as though his feet were on fire. The pain nearly caused him to lose his grip, but Tess reached for him.
    â€œC’mon, Leinad! Climb!” She pulled on his arms, and he swung his body up and over the rock ledge.
    He rolled into a sitting position, and his only thought was to stop the fire on his feet. They were bare and covered in the blackness of the Vactors. He fervently brushed his ankles and feet.
    â€œGo, Tess! Before it reaches this