Free Chosen by Shay West

storm raging outside. Just before dawn, the wind and snow subsided. As he waited for sleep to claim him, Ted drifted back in time to the moment he had emerged from the portal on this world. His chest constricted as the terrified screams of the mother and two girls echoed in his mind, the confused look on the man's face as he looked at the knife protruding from his chest.
    I had no choice!
    Ted put his arm over his eyes as though he could keep the images from forming behind his eyes. If we Guardians hadn't been sent early, that family would still be alive.
    Though he had been supportive of Master Ferrok's decision to send the Guardians early, he had had plenty of time to rethink that decision.
    And now one of my Chosen has been taken!
    Ted fought his screaming instincts telling him to get on No Name and ride for the Jhinn encampment, that there wasn't a moment to lose. Part of him wanted to follow the Hordesmen back to their camp and dare a rescue of Sloan, even knowing such an act would be suicide and would likely end up with both of them being killed.
    God, please keep my Chosen safe until I can get to him.
    But after the storm when he had his Protectors he would rescue Sloan no matter the cost.
    The next morning, they set out again after making sure that the four Hordesmen were nowhere in sight. Though the sky was grey and foreboding, the snow did not fall. The mare kept a steady pace for most of the day. The General would ride awhile, and then walk,giving No Name a chance to rest. Ted soon found himself foundering in the deep snow and relying on his hold on the reins to keep from falling. The cold and wet had seeped into his very bones, sapping his strength.
    He realized he would never make it back to the encampment walking.
    Ted looked at his beloved horse and made a terrible choice. With tears in his eyes and a prayer to the God of Earth, he climbed on her back and stayed there. Ted hoped No Name had the strength to make it back to the Jhinn encampment, but he knew in his heart that she would never make it, and that he would follow her in death soon after.

    * * *

    General Ted Smith awoke with a start. No Name was as exhausted as her rider. Her head hung low; she did not have the strength to lift it. Her legs trembled as she made her way ponderously in the deep snow. She stumbled and fell heavily to her knees, throwing the General into the frigid snow.
    Ted gasped as he landed in the icy wetness, fully awake, if for only a few seconds. The cold and darkness only added to his exhaustion. All he wanted to do was lay down in this powdery bed and sleep. He had been awake for so long that he had forgotten how wonderful it was to feel all tension fall away as the body began to relax and slip into sleep.
    Sloan has been captured!
    Ted grunted as he bit the inside of his cheek, hard enough to draw blood. It had the effect he had hoped for. He got slowly to his feet and spat out a mouthful of blood, which stained the white snow a deep crimson. He forced his numb legs to slog through the knee-high snow until he stood next to No Name. If he didn't make it back to the Jhinn encampment, his Chosen was as good as dead, and perhaps the entire galaxy along with him.
    The little mare was in bad shape. She had no strength. She lay on her side, eyes closed.
    “Come on girl. Stay with me.” The General knelt and pulled her head into his lap. She groaned feebly and tried to roll up onto her legs, but she lacked the energy. Her soft brown eyes met his icy blue ones, and she gave a weak snort. Ted closed his eyes as he blinked back the tears. He hadn't realized until this moment how much he had come to love his little sorrel.
    “General!”
    He lurched to his feet and spun in a slow circle, trying to orient on the voice. His exhausted mind conjured the voice of his captured Chosen. He took a few feeble steps toward the ghostly voice.
    “General Smith! Can you hear me?”
    “Yes!” His voice cracked and he was surprised to hear how weak