Free The Silk Map by Chris Willrich

toward the south. Steelfox bade her pony ascend. She saw Qurca’s circling form drifting in kind. Her mind swirled as well; it was good to be in the wind again. She trusted her pony and loosened the reins, letting herself touch Qurca’s perceptions.
    The land receded below, like a collapsing green tent that puffed outward as it fell. The sun was well up as Jewelwolf’s fleet came rolling in. Eighteen craft painted in bright colors, sails emblazoned with animal symbols, rolled upon their great wheels. Outriders on sabercats preceded the ships, mastodon-riders escorted the vessels, and the great mass of horsemen followed. Next came horse-drawn wagons carrying civilian gear, and last followed the woolly rhinoceroses and their brave riders, perhaps the toughest Karvaks of all.
    The fleet could not have moved without the skill of the Wind-Tamers, one for each vessel. Steelfox could see them in their ribbon-bedecked coats, beating upon drums. The wind pulsed through the air like the invisible blood of the world.
    Before the fleet even slowed, a woman leapt off the largest ship with a rope ladder, landing upon a pony brought up by group of riders bearing Jewelwolf’s red and gray standard. The riders galloped ahead of the ships and past the sabercats.
    Steelfox broke her link to Qurca and halted, standing her ground against the advance of fleet and riders. As they reached her, she lifted her arm and Qurca alighted, screeching as the bannermen stopped, their ponies whinnying.
    Only their leader’s white mount made no noise but rather looked upon Qurca with a cold-eyed, nearly human appraisal. Aughatai had been Jewelwolf’s gift-beast almost as long as Qurca had been Steelfox’s. The pony had much of Jewelwolf’s character by now, and the two animals were never cordial.
    â€œLady of the Il-Khanate of the Eternal Green,” said Steelfox.
    â€œDear Lady,” answered Jewelwolf, dismounting.
    They embraced. Jewelwolf dismissed her guards, who returned to the ships bellowing disembarkation orders.
    â€œYou are looking well,” Steelfox said, as they walked toward Mother’s ger.
    â€œAnd you, elder sister,” said Jewelwolf, “you seem well-favored as always.” She smiled. “Shooting arrows at the sunrise again?”
    â€œI have some catching up, to reach your level of skill.”
    â€œOh, you’re much too hard on yourself.”
    â€œI wish Father had heard you say that.”
    â€œI did tell him, frequently, though the winds of war roared loudly in his ear.”
    Once or twice, I’m sure , Steelfox thought. “How fares your husband Lord Rocklion?”
    â€œHe’s well. Although he’s somewhat preoccupied chastening the Xurian clans far to the east. While he dispatches them to Tawalisi across the sea, he dispatches me to vote in his stead.” Jewelwolf sighed. “I suppose Mother would have preferred to see him, rather than me. With the exception of yourself, she’s always preferred the conversation of men.”
    â€œNonsense, sister. She’ll be delighted to see you.”
    â€œEver the diplomat. I admire your ability to rise above all frays. . . . So, she has not complained of my lateness?”
    â€œWell . . .”
    â€œAh. I departed as soon as my husband could spare the ships, but I suppose Mother won’t believe that.”
    â€œI believe you.”
    â€œWhy, I thank you, elder sister.” Jewelwolf’s tone was airy and amused, as if implying Steelfox was surely insincere, but that Jewelwolf, as a true Karvak hero, would rise above it all.
    It left Steelfox confused and irritated, as ever.
    â€œYou’ve added ships to the fleet,” Steelfox noted, searching for a compliment.
    â€œThe four directions have sent me many Wind-Tamers,” Jewelwolf said, a note of pride in her voice. “Dodderers and doubters claimed we couldn’t form an organized school, but we found help on unexpected