Chapter 29‘You’re a better rider than I imagined, Hylland,’ Sylvriss said, as they trotted steadily along the valley towards Narsindalvak.
Hylland bowed his head. ‘I merely follow your example, Majesty,’ he said.
Sylvriss looked at him sideways. ‘Your saddleside manner is more courtly than your bedside one,’ she said, smiling.
Hylland nodded sagely. ‘Ah, Majesty,’ he said. ‘Here I bask in the presence of my beautiful and honoured Queen. Elsewhere I often have to deal with wilfully obstreperous and difficult patients.’
Sylvriss laughed, and the sound mingled with that of the clattering hooves to echo along the towering rock face they were passing.
The valley was a harsh place, full of lowering crags, made all the darker by the grey, sullen sky, but Sylvriss found herself immune to such
