Lilyana
They had been riding for a few hours now, and Lily was incredibly sore. She couldn’t remember ever riding a horse before, although her mother swore up and down that she had. One thing was for sure, though: she hated it. If she ever had a choice between walking or riding, she vowed that she would walk.
“We’re nearly there,” said Thaurson. He was in the lead, seated atop a great stallion that looked very well suited for his weight. “We can dismount and walk the rest of the way.”
Lily’s relief at those words was palpable.
Gorbun was behind her, and he seemed to sense it.
“Don’t like ridin’?” he leaned in to ask.
Lily shook her head.
“Me neither, truth be told. But Thaurson loves it. Probably because it means he doesn’t ’ave to carry all that weight of ’is around.”
Lily looked at her massive uncle and giggled.
“What’s so funny, you two?” Thaurson asked.
“Nothing,” Lily said, beaming at Gorbun.
“Then follow me,” he said, taking his horse by the reins. “They’re out on patrol today, away from the city. They know me and they’ve had dealings with Gorbun. Just remember what I told you.”
Lily nodded.
But instead of moving on, Thaurson kept looking at her. He looked back over his shoulder, as if considering something, then let his horse’s reins fall from his hands.
He walked over to Lily, knelt down, and put his hand on her shoulder.
“I want to hear you say it again,” he said.
Lily’s lip quivered a bit. “My mother loves me very much,” she said to him. “And she is doing this to protect both of us.”
“That’s right,” he said, and stood back up. “Now follow me and do as you’re told.”
***
They had walked into an area that was not quite woods and not quite mountains. Off in the distance, Lily saw a group of soldiers on horseback.
“Is that them?” she asked, and was hushed immediately by Thaurson.
“Gorbun, flag them down,” he said.
The blond man nodded and walked out in front, approaching the riders who were still a good ways off. The riders saw him waving and changed their course to intercept him. When they got closer, Lily could see that most of them were still young.
One of them nodded at the two men with her. “Gorbun,” he said, a thin man with dark hair and the beginnings of a mustache. “Still doing runs?”
Gorbun nodded. “Found this one outside Lusk,” he said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder at Lily. “Thought she might fetch a good price.”
The dark-haired man dismounted and went over to look at her. Lily fought the urge to hold on to her uncle’s leg. Be strong, she reminded herself.
The man knelt down to look at her, inspecting her eyes and her face. “Athrani,” he said, seeming pleased.
“Aye,” answered Gorbun.
The man looked up at him. “It’s unusual,” he said, “but not unheard of.” Turning his head back to the other riders, he said, “We just had one come in the other day. An envoy from Ellenos. The Tallister. What was his name?”
Another rider, pale and blond, said, “Yota, I think.”
“No, that’s not it,” said the dark-haired man. Then, snapping his fingers, he said, “Yetz! His name is Yetz.” He looked pleased at remembering this information, and looked back at Lily. “So you won’t be the first of your kind in Khala Val’ur. Maybe one day you’ll get to meet him. Who knows,” he said, standing up. “But slaves and ambassadors don’t usually mix. Anyways,” he said, turning to Gorbun, “she’s a good find. We’ll take her. I’m in need of a protégé.”
He reached into the leather pouch that was tied to his waist and dug out a pair of coins, tossing them to Gorbun. “For your trouble,” he said. “Fine work as always. You too, Thaurson,” he said, nodding at Lily’s uncle. “And I’ll take her horse as well.”
Thaurson just gave him a nod.
“Now,” the man said, looking Lily’s way once more. “What do they call you?”
Lily looked at him and then back to her uncle, who shook his head.
“I . . . don’t have a name,” she said meekly.
“Hmm. Well, that’s no good,” said the man. He eyed her keenly, and Lily thought that he was staring straight through her. “We have to call you something.”
One of the riders behind him piped up: “Captain Tennech, what about that gal from Ghal Thurái you’re always going on about?”
The dark-haired man looked at Lily and cocked his head, then looked back to the blond rider. “You know, Lieutenant,” he said, “that might actually fit.” Turning to go, he motioned for Lily to follow and pointed to Ruen, the young brown horse she’d come in on. “Can you ride that thing?”
She nodded.
“Good. Then get on. And welcome to Gal’dorok, Seralith.”