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perched a hip on the edge of the desk. “Did you bring
them?”
    “I rode part of the way, so they must be here.” He checked
another wardrobe and emitted a chortle as he yanked out a pair of mottled gray
boots.
    “Allicroc skin?” I asked.
    “The best the WestMarch can offer.”
    The WestMarch lay between Desert and Shadow. Many creatures
flourished there, plants and animals that could not survive anywhere else on
Janus, including the fabled Chimaerae of old. As one might expect, there were
occasional border skirmishes between rival claimants to the land. Only the
WestMarch’s frequent vicious storms, which often featured tornadoes, prevented
all-out warfare. The fierce, swift winds were destructive in their intensity.
The EastMarch that ran between Shadow and Darkside was similar, but ice storms
raining chunks of hail, some large as a man’s fist, kept the peace.
    Our official position, one we strove to maintain, was
non-interference in the Marches. We desired them to exist as buffers between
Shadow and our rival lands, for our own protection and to shelter the creatures
that lived there.
    A union between Light and Shadow might solve the issue in
the WestMarch, at least temporarily. I did not understand Lightside internal
politics, but in the past, when a Lightsider had married into our House, he or
she had lost status as a noble of the DesertDwellers, switching loyalty totally
to us. For my part, I would demand no less than undivided allegiance.
    Having donned his boots, Kaldir asked, “How may we escape to
the stables?”
    “By the most direct route.” I moved confidently to the
doors. “None of the servants are awake. By the time they bestir themselves,
we’ll be saddled and away.”
    “If all my guards are asleep, they’ll lose their heads.”
    I wondered if he was jesting. “Asleep or awake, the palace
guards will not leave their posts.”
    As we left his suite by a side door, Kaldir bade his
warriors remain, telling them, “I don’t believe I need to fear the queen’s
attack.”
    I smiled. I did plan to attack him, but hoped that my
advances would be welcome.
    We left the castle, walked together across the lawn, then
along a gravel path bordered with hostas and coleus that led to the Royal
Stable, a large wood and stone structure that housed perhaps fifty steeds. More
were lodged close to the army’s barracks, convenient for the cavalry.
    When we entered, a sleepy guard sprang to her feet, nudging
a stable boy with her booted foot. “Your Majesty!” Both dropped to their knees.
    “Be easy,” I said, smiling. “Saddle us mounts for a morning
ride. The bay stallion in stall seventeen and the palomino mare.” The palomino
was my favorite ride. In truth, I had not mounted the stallion since he’d
thrown me. But I knew he had been broken to bridle by the stable master and was
favored by Lord Geoman, who was a fine equestrian.
    I took a riding helmet from a cupboard and offered one of
the black velveteen covered hats to Kaldir. He declined with a smile edged with
contempt. I reminded myself to be patient, that the prince-scientist was
elected to the nobility. If he was thrown and injured, the Children of Light
could easily find another prince. I was a good rider, but unlike Kaldir I was
irreplaceable.
    I did not mind the helmet, for its black velveteen matched
the lapels of my red hacking jacket and my boots. Kaldir donned a flowing
headdress made of the same white fabric as the rest of his garb, and secured it
with a thick black cord that wrapped around his head.
    He looked like one of the legendary sheikhs of old Terra,
dashing and a little bit dangerous. I liked that.
    We mounted our horses and rode through the gray dawn,
exiting the castle through the eastern gate. Once clear of the walls, I urged
my mare to a canter. Tossing her head, she obliged, seeming glad of the
exercise. Kaldir kept pace with me as we dashed over a meadow, splashed through
a narrow stream, then slowed as we entered a