Race Beneath the Winter Sky Part 2

The flying race is already underway. Far above the jagged cliffs, the leading racers flash between silver clouds while True Dave remains far behind, his course swallowed by rising mist.

A horn sounds from the valley below, thin against the wind. Ahead, Astraya Orlaith banks around a floating stone arch, her golden braids streaming behind her as the other racers scatter across the marked sky.

Her voice reaches him only as a bright echo. The wind bucks hard against the route, carrying the scent of rain and the distant boom of storm magic beyond the next ridge.

The next gate burns blue through the clouds, but a wall of black vapor curls across its approach. Below it, the safe path drops sharply between two needle-like peaks.

The race continues without pause, leaving True Dave with the storm ahead, the cliffs below, and the fading glimmer of Astraya's passage to guide him.

True Dave gathers the Force beneath himself and releases it in a sudden, invisible thrust. His body shoots through the mist toward the blue cloud gate, wind tearing at his clothes.

The burst carries him cleanly between the needle peaks and through the gate's blue fire. His shoulder clips a jutting stone on the passage, leaving him bruised and wrenching one arm numb.

Beyond the gate, the storm opens into a broad vault of silver cloud. Astraya's winged silhouette wheels ahead, her golden braids bright against the dark vapor.

A fresh gust catches True Dave from below and rolls him sideways. He steadies himself with the Force, but the effort sends a hot ache through his bruised shoulder as the next horn sounds.