“Yer gold stallion…”
“Zolotoy.”
“I was watchin’ you ride ‘im earlier.‘E’sfast an’ strong.”
“With the stamina of his Steppeancestors.”
“You plan on ridin’ ‘im in all threeraces?”
“I do.And I intend to win all three.”Aleksiglanced across the track as Sahar took Lasair over a belly-highjump of stacked logs at a full gallop, never breaking pace.“Otherthan Lasair and her mistress, which horses and riders should I beconcerned about?”
Ratter puffed up and out.“Well now, I‘aven’t seen ‘em all run yet.”He pursed his lips and rubbed hisjaw.“But without prince Asim racin’, asides from Lasair an’ PrinceSaqir’s stallion, much as it pains me to say it, it’s the Wolf’sblack stallion, Tor, you need be watchin’ out fer, as well as ‘ismaster.”
Aleksi had watched Yago training with hisstallion earlier that morning, and he did not disagree withRatter’s assessment of horse or rider.
“Betwixt you an’ me,” Ratter said in a lowvoice, “‘is mother’s brother, the Falcon, tried to poison StormChaser once afore a race.The Black Mane caught ‘im red ‘anded, ‘edid.Shoulda beat ‘im bloody, but ‘e was still tryin’ to protect‘is lady Swan an’ keep the peace atween the tribes back then.At’swhy the Black Mane invites every rider to stable ‘is mount in theroyal stables, under royal guard, as well as to make sure they’sall fed well and kept out o’ any weather.‘E don’t want any rider‘aving unfair advantage.‘E’s a fair king, the Black Mane is, inall ways.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“An’ you’ll be stabling yer stallion in theroyal stables?”
“I will.”Aleksi had been surprised at theinvitation, and impressed.In his experience, most men, kingsincluded, would do anything to ensure their own victory in acontest, any contest, from a friendly game of chance to all-outwar, which was why several of the riders had been suspicious of hismotives and refused the king’s generous invitation.With Serge andPyotr at their tent to watch over their string of two geldings andfour broodmares and tending to the trading of the horses, Aleksiwould be able to stay in the royal stables with Zolotoy, where hecould concentrate on training the stallion for the races, andwinning them.
“‘At’s smart o’ you, young Aleksandr.Youknow, ever horse ‘ats won the races as stabled there.They gets thebest care under my watch, they do.”
“I am sure they do.Will the princess bemoving Lasair to the racing stables?”
“O’ course.”
“What about Prince Yago?”Aleksi jerked hishead toward the track’s gate, where the prince stood and bowed lowto Sahar as she dismounted from Lasair.He reached for Lasair’sreins, and Aleksi snorted as Lasair reared her head back and awayfrom the Wolf, who slunk aside as Sahar calmed the mare.
“You don’t like ‘im much, do you?”Ratterasked.
“No,” Aleksi said as the prince walked besideSahar and Lasair.“I don’t like the preening worm any more than helikes me.”
Ratter chortled.“I knew it.I knew it lastnight at the feast, when you was glaring daggers at ‘im in the lineo’ riders fer takin credit fer letting the princess in.”
“You saw that?”
Ratter touched the side of his nose.“I seeeverthin’,” he said.“I see that Lasair, smart mare that she is,she don’t like the Wolf none neither.I see ‘at it’d be wrong o’ meto situate ‘er stall next to the Wolf’s an’ ‘is stallion, as hedemanded o’ me this mornin’.An’ seein’ as ‘ow I’m in charge o’makin’ sure everone is comfortable as can be, I’m thinkin’ Lasairwould be appreciatin’ yer golden stallion next to ‘er, an’ the Wolfclear on the other end.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Cos yer good with horses, anyone kin see‘at,” Ratter said.He started walking off toward the stables.“An’anyone brave enow to call Sahar ‘kitten’ an’ come away unscathed’sall right by me,” he chortled over his shoulder.
Sahar was in the palace kitchens rummagingthrough the basket of bruised apples set aside for pressing intosauce when Anya, the head cook, approached her.
“Yes, Anya?”Sahar said as she stuffed threeof the least-bruised apples into her sack, which also held a tub ofeasing balm Ratter had requested from the palace physician.
Anya stood with her lips pressed together fora long moment, as if trying to form her words, which was unusual,for though she was not native to these parts, she had lived herelong enough to speak the language with ease.
“Is there a message you wish me to give mymother?”Sahar asked.
“No, it’s you I wish to ask a questionof.”
Sahar waited for Anya to continue, curious,for Sahar had little to nothing to do with the running of thekitchens.These were the queen’s and the head cook’s domain.BeforeAnya said anything more, the king walked in.
“Daughter, I would have a word with you.”Hewore his robes, which meant he had spent the morning cloisteredwith the other visiting kings and their counsels discussing thebusiness of running their cities and trade routes.He nodded at hersack.“Heading back to the stables?”
