The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) by Jenny Rebecca Keech Page B

“There is good
hunting in the woodland north and just past the river. The deer gather there
because of the proximity of water to the woods. They feel safe. It is a good
ride but worth it.”
    Ishar looked
in the direction he had indicated. She glanced back at the three men and raised
an eyebrow. “Can these Britai horses run? Or are they only good for a quick
dash in battle?” she asked wryly.
    Glyndwr
stared at her with narrowed eyes. Gavin grinned, showing teeth. Traevyn seemed
nonplused as he answered without looking, “And here we were, wondering if we would
have to wait for you to catch up at points in the day.”
    “Perhaps we
should see how she does, this little mare of yours,” Glyndwr’s eyes sparkled as
he spoke.
    “We would not
want to overexert her,” Gavin said neutrally.
    Ishar patted
the neck of Simi in a soothing manner even though she knew the mare could not
understand the words. The banter was more for her than Simi. She flashed a
wolfish grin Traevyn’s way. “Lead the way,” she lightly growled before adding
teasingly, “If you can?”
    With this,
Ishar lightly touched her heels to Simi’s sides. The black mare responded at
once, surging from a trot to the strong gallop she had desired for days. Ishar
understood. She reveled in the feel of the wind blowing down Simi’s neck and
across her face. Her hair was thrown away from her face and she thrilled in the
sound of hoofs hitting the solid damp soil and the feel of the moving body
under her.
    The thud of
hooves increased. Ishar did not look back. If they caught her, she would know
by their matching or passing of her pace. She aimed for the winding Etu River,
which had appeared as they crossed over a hill, as an ending point. Ishar felt
before she saw Traevyn’s black gelding on her right. She could also sense Gavin
and Glyndwr moving up on her left. Ishar leaned forward in Simi’s mane until
there was only a blurred mixture of black and reddish-gold strands. Simi
responded to her silent urging and Traevyn’s gray gelding fell back a pace.
    Gavin and Glyndwr were able to hold to their speed
but not budge farther. She settled into the flowing movement as the labored
breathing of their mounts mixed with the jangle of leather and metal. The fast
furious noise of the river grew; the rushing winter water close to overflowing
the normally low banks. The Etu River was not a deep river but it was wide in
several spots with winding currents around jutting rock that would become
rapids at several points during the next few months. At these spots, it would
then become a dangerous changing current, rising and falling as the snows from
the passes took their time to melt and run toward the sea. Ishar reined back
and leaned up in the saddle. The others caught up with her and pulled back on
their mounts. No one wanted to risk plowing into fast moving water at these
speeds. They took the next few minutes to let their horses catch their breath
before crossing the high water. Simi snorted and blew out air and flecks of
spittle
    Glyndwr was
the first to speak. “She races nicely, this little mare of yours,” he admitted
grudgingly.
    “Forgive
Glyndwr,” Gavin stated with a smile, “He never takes losing well, though he
should be used to it by now,” he added on a dry note.
    Glyndwr swung
his black mare to face Gavin. “That has earned you a match this afternoon,” he
said with pointed finger, “And I will even let you choose weapons. I want no
words from you when I soundly defeat you.”
    “Enough,”
Traevyn said quietly, “We did not come out here to fight. We came to hunt.” He
glanced at Ishar. “Good riding.”
    Ishar felt
Traevyn was not a person to easily give compliments. She nodded and glanced
toward the water. “How high will it get in the spring?”
    Gavin
frowned. “It is already higher than many years past, but the winter has been
harsh.”
    Ishar looked
puzzled. “And here I was thinking you had been spared a harsh winter with