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By Root 506 0

the walls—” That helped him orient himself, and he began to suspect that Alberich had led him in circles that first day, when he had taken Karal to the library. Perhaps it had not been deliberate; perhaps it was simply in the man’s cautious nature to attempt to confuse. Perhaps there had been work going on that required they make some elaborate detours. But from the outside, at least, the Palace and the buildings around it were laid out in a logical fashion. He knew that the library was on the first floor of the wing that contained most of the other rooms used for “official” purposes, and that wing lay directly across from his, according to Talia.

But she was pointing out other buildings now, buildings that were separate from the Palace. “That’s Healer’s Collegium, and that’s Bardic—look, there are the stables, you can see them from here, just on the other side of those trees.”

But it was not the stables that caught his attention, but the huge wooded field to their right. It seemed to be full of horses.

Then he realized why his mind had phrased it that way, for the “horses” were all white. There wasn’t another color of four-legged beast to be seen. Which meant, surely—

Talia saw where he was looking; she squinted against the sun in that direction. “That’s Companion’s Field. Do you want to go look over the fence for a moment?”

As well ask him if he wanted to fly! Of course he did—and at the same time, the idea terrified him. Companions! The beautiful creatures that Rubrik had so eloquently praised, and the Hellhorses of Karsite stories. His head knew that they were not the monsters from his childhood, but his stomach lurched at the idea of so many of them concentrated here. Still, he nodded numbly.

She must have guessed something of his thoughts from his expression, or lack of it. “You do realize that they aren’t demons, don’t you?” she asked, a little nervously. “Your escort surely explained what Heralds and Companions really are—didn’t he?”

I must look as tense as a cocked crossbow. “Yes,” he told her, “Our escort and my mentor had a number of conversations about the Companions. I think Ulrich plans to come out here one day when he isn’t busy chasing diplomatic rabbits down holes.” He moved closer to the fence, until at last he was leaning right up against it, staring at the beautiful creatures in their Field.

Not demons, he reminded himself; orthodox theology held that demons could be as beautiful as they pleased, but he still did not have to remind himself too forcefully. Now that he was here, watching them, his stomach settled again, deciding that maybe his head was right after all. There was something about the Companions that was so completely innocent that the idea of their being demons was absurd.

Not horses, either. He could see how they would excite lust in the heart of any horsebreeder, though. If only one could achieve lines like that with horses! They were easily the most elegant creatures he had ever seen; Rubrik’s Companion was no isolated case. Well, rumor said that the Shin’a’in had bred horses to equal Companions, but who knew? Rumor also had it that the Shin’a’in rode naked and painted themselves blue, and he rather doubted either was true.

For one thing, riding naked is damned uncomfortable. You can get yourself such a set of blisters if you have a saddle, and such a rash if you don’t....

“Well,” he said at last, shaking himself out of the reverie the field full of Companions induced in him. “Your time is precious. even if I’m at leisure at the moment. And I am selfishly devouring it. So, if you can spare me a few moments more to take me to the stables—”

“I can spare you as much time as you need,” Talia said firmly. “Come on, and I’ll introduce you to the stablemaster.”

Talia was no out-of-shape courtier; she set out again at a stiff walk, and he was glad he’d been working out with Kerowyn. The stable was huge, which was only to be expected; their luck was in, though, for Trenor was in the third stall from the door, and whickered as soon as he caught Karal’s scent.

Karal let himself into