CHATTING TO LESEACH, ENJOYING THE shade from the already hot morning sun, stood Rashid and a cavalry centaur Loi recognized as Patel's assistant. They nodded to Loi when she reached them all, the ardwyr grunting away as Loi bent to scratch around its ears.

'I was thinking of going for a ride, did yo'

Rashid interrupted. 'Not today, Loi. All the horses are being prepared for the royal hunt tomorrow.'

'Oh,' Loi twisted her mouth to the side with a huff. 'A walk ...