“Arions,” Max whispered. “Wind horses. Fastest land animals in the empire. This one is mine,” he added, pointing to a lone animal that stood in the aisle outside its stall. It was silhouetted by the faint light streaming through the c***k in the barn doors. A bridle hugged the contours of its elegant face and a leather saddle was already on its back. It whickered softly in greeting.
“I called ahead to a friend,” said Max, reaching for the arion. “He readied Alphir for us.”
He grasped the reins and patted Alphir’s neck. The animal turned a sharp eye on Keriya. His pale hide gleamed like silken cobwebs and his gaze held a disconcerting intelligence.
“Hi, Alphir,” she said, since she figured that was the polite thing to do.
Max led Alphir to a mounting block. “This saddle seats two. It wo
