toward the south. Steelfox bade her pony ascend. She saw Qurcaâs 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 Qurcaâs perceptions.
The land receded below, like a collapsing green tent that puffed outward as it fell. The sun was well up as Jewelwolfâs 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 Jewelwolfâs 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 leaderâs white mount made no noise but rather looked upon Qurca with a cold-eyed, nearly human appraisal. Aughatai had been Jewelwolfâs gift-beast almost as long as Qurca had been Steelfoxâs. The pony had much of Jewelwolfâs character by now, and the two animals were never cordial.
âLady of the Il-Khanate of the Eternal Green,â said Steelfox.
âDear Lady,â answered Jewelwolf, dismounting.
They embraced. Jewelwolf dismissed her guards, who returned to the ships bellowing disembarkation orders.
âYou are looking well,â Steelfox said, as they walked toward Motherâs ger.
âAnd you, elder sister,â said Jewelwolf, âyou seem well-favored as always.â She smiled. âShooting arrows at the sunrise again?â
âI have some catching up, to reach your level of skill.â
âOh, youâre much too hard on yourself.â
âI wish Father had heard you say that.â
âI did tell him, frequently, though the winds of war roared loudly in his ear.â
Once or twice, Iâm sure , Steelfox thought. âHow fares your husband Lord Rocklion?â
âHeâs well. Although heâs 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.â Jewelwolf sighed. âI suppose Mother would have preferred to see him, rather than me. With the exception of yourself, sheâs always preferred the conversation of men.â
âNonsense, sister. Sheâll be delighted to see you.â
âEver the diplomat. I admire your ability to rise above all frays. . . . So, she has not complained of my lateness?â
âWell . . .â
âAh. I departed as soon as my husband could spare the ships, but I suppose Mother wonât believe that.â
âI believe you.â
âWhy, I thank you, elder sister.â Jewelwolfâs 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.
âYouâve added ships to the fleet,â Steelfox noted, searching for a compliment.
âThe four directions have sent me many Wind-Tamers,â Jewelwolf said, a note of pride in her voice. âDodderers and doubters claimed we couldnât form an organized school, but we found help on unexpected