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Prologue

Sophia went faster that day.
She rode Nova right over the Voel Dan Sturt border and into the Northern Tundra. The endless expanse of white snow stretched out all around, almost swallowing them both up in its emptiness. But Sophia not afraid, as she leaned forwards into the wind, hugging Nova's vast back as he trekked tirelessly onwards. She could feel every tendon in his muscular shoulders as they worked his powerful legs across the ground and she could practically see every flake of snow in the blinding spray kicked up by Nova's pounding hooves. She leaned slightly further, sensing the young Fledger's shiver of eager anticipation when he pricked his ears, waiting for the command.
'Faster, Nova,' she whispered 'Go faster!'
The hoary earth beneath them quickly became an ivory blur. Nova was now going so fast that he might as well have been flying, his heavy hooves barely touching the ground. Sophia suddenly felt a sudden thrill of reckless daring; she wasn't authorised to fly but who would be watching her now?
She lifted her head a little, surveying the bleak horizon ahead through watering eyes.
Suddenly, she saw a brilliant flash of blue that filled her eyes nearly blinding her.
She blinked, cold tears streaming along her face into her flowing hair. Nova powered on, unconcerned.
There it was again! A startling flash of dazzling colour!
And another! This time Sophia saw green, grassy green all around her.
Then as suddenly as it had appeared it vanished, replaced once again by the snowy landscape of the tundra.
Seconds later, without warning, Nova leapt into the air with a frightened high-pitched whinny that sent Sophia's heart thudding with panic.
She quickly grabbed hold of his streaming mane and pressed her knees deeper into his sides.
And what happened next seemed to Sophia to play in slow motion.
The overwhelming green reappeared, evading the white and completely surrounding the Fledger and his rider. Contours loomed forming hills and valleys and became more textured until the emerald surface resembled lush grass. Overhead, the cornflower blue returned, piercing the green and spreading rapidly like spilt ink until it had formed a clear blue dome, flecked with feathery wisps of white.
Directly ahead, zooming swiftly towards them was a particularly large hill.
And standing atop the hill, with arms outstretched and her back turned, was a tall girl.
That was when Sophia screamed long and loud. They were going to collide!
The girl turned slowly, her arms dropping to her sides. Her eyes widened in horror and her mouth simultaneously gaped in a silent cry.
And without considering what she was doing, Sophia reached out...