Chapter 19 - The Thunder of Hooves
Lightning illuminated the pitch-black mountain sky as torrential rain flooded the mountain gullies. High on the ridge above the valley, three dark-clad mercenaries were setting heavy demolition charges along the base of the massive concrete drainage dam.
"Charges are set!" a mercenary yelled over the roar of thunder. "Ten-minute timer! Once this wall cracks, the pressure from the rain lake will do the rest!"
Below on the mountain road, Julian and Alexander pushed their heavy all-terrain vehicle through deep mud drifts, fighting to reach the dam before the explosives detonated.
Meanwhile, in the low-lying eastern pastures, two miles below, thirty wild horses and saved thoroughbreds were huddled together in fear, terrified by the blinding lightning and roaring thunder. Water was already rising around their hooves as the small mountain creek overflowed its banks.
Suddenly, out of the dark, rain-blinded woods, Obsidian roared into the pasture, his massive frame leaping cleanly over the six-foot wooden fence.
Clara rode high on his back, wearing a bright yellow raincoat, holding a glowing emergency flare in her hand.
"Up! Get up!" Clara screamed into the wind, waving the bright red flare high above her head. "Move to the High Ridge!"
Obsidian galloped around the perimeter of the terrified herd, nipping at the heels of the hesitant mares, his powerful, authoritative whinnies commanding absolute obedience from every animal in the field.
Recognizing their alpha, the lead mares turned and began galloping up the muddy slope toward the safety of the High Ridge Pasture. The entire herd fell into line behind them, thirty-five majestic horses galloping in unison through the storm like a tidal wave of muscle and thunder.
High on the mountain dam, Julian and Alexander burst out from the treeline on their ATV, catching the mercenaries by surprise.
"Stop right there!" Julian shouted, drawing his firearm.
The lead mercenary turned, pulling an automatic carbine, but Alexander moved with terrifying speed for a man of his age. He swung his silver-tipped cane, disarming the mercenary in a single fluid strike and tackling him to the muddy ground.
Julian engaged the second mercenary, knocking the weapon from his hands and pinning him against the concrete dam wall.
"The timer!" Julian yelled, looking at the glowing red digital clock mounted on the demolition charge attached to the dam's main support pillar.
*00:45... 00:44... 00:43...*
"It's hardwired!" Alexander shouted, inspecting the complex wiring harness under his flashlight beam. "We can't disarm the timer in forty seconds!"
"Then we toss it into the deep reservoir pit!" Julian yelled.
Together, Julian and Alexander grabbed the heavy steel charge crate, straining with all their strength, and heaved it over the high concrete safety railing into the hundred-foot-deep water reservoir on the upstream side of the dam.
Three seconds later...
*BOOM!*
A massive column of water erupted high into the night sky as the explosive detonated deep underwater. The shockwave rattled the concrete walkway, but the thick dam wall held firm, completely undamaged by the submerged blast.
Julian dropped to his knees, catching his breath as rain washed the mud from his face. "We did it... the dam held."
High on the safety of the High Ridge Pasture, Clara watched the water column erupt in the distance, followed by the quiet, peaceful settling of the storm clouds.
Obsidian stood beside her, his head held high, his majestic black mane wet with rain. Around them, the entire herd grazed peacefully on the safe, dry hilltop, completely unharmed.
The rain began to soften, fading into a gentle spring drizzle, as the dark storm clouds parted to reveal a sky filled with brilliant, twinkling stars.
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Clara leaned against Obsidian’s warm neck, tears of relief wiping away the lingering dust of seven long years of fear and struggle.
"We did it, dad," Clara whispered up to the stars. "We're all finally safe."
