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CHAPTER FIVE

Lyrna

The horse was a gift from the Eorhil, fourteen hands at the shoulder and white from nose to tail save for a tuft of black hair between her ears Lyrna had found the Eorhil woed fro She proffered the reins with a surprisingly well-executed formal bow

“She has a name?” Lyrna asked her

“It translates as ‘An Unseen Arrow as She Runs through Snow and Wind,’ Highness,” Wisdoue “My people are not known for their brevity”

“Arrow it is,” Lyrna said, scratching theforth a faint snort

“She misses her rider,” Wisdom said “He fell before the city I feel you may be able to mend her heart”

“My thanks” Lyrna returned her bow “Will you ride with reatly wish to know more of your people”

There was a somewhat sardonic lilt to the woman’s voice as she replied, “Have you not already read every book in your library concerning the Eorhil, Highness?”

“I aacity of books is limited in comparison to experience”

“As you wish” Wisdo down at Lyrna in expectation “My people ride now”

Iltis and Benten were obliged to scramble onto their own horses as Lyrna mounted up and trotted off with Wisdoe of the camp where the Eorhil host was already in ly at randoh every rider seemed to move with a purpose and she noticed how the host took on a definite if loose formation as they crested the eastern hills and entered the low-lying fields beyond

“Good country for horses,” Lyrna commented to Wisdom an hour or so shy of , her journey through the Lonak Do hours in the saddle Plus she found her new ht, faster than poor old Sable and less fractious than Surefoot

“Still tooa long pull from her waterskin “And not an elk to be had since we ca at it, for true adulthood only comes when you take your first elk”

Lyrna looked at the riders around the how their eyes strayed constantly to her face but displayed none of the awe shown by the Real themselves in such proxi the question she was about to ask “We call it siue”

“Not one I possess,” Lyrna pointed out

“It doesn’t ifts”

“Those that are find theh “Do not judge us by the standards of your people, Highness Those with gifts are not shunned, but they are respected The greater the power, the greater the respect, and respect can grow into fear if the power is great enough As yet, there is not a story or a song in our history that tells of a power greater than that used to heal you They worry what it e-cracked lips forreat and terrible queen, I know full hat itup on his tall piebald stallion, offering Lyrna a cautious nod “Scouts say many men to the south,” the war chief told Wisdoo look”