Free Voyage of the Snake Lady by Theresa Tomlinson Page B

listened, twitching their ears, reassured now by the sounds. As the days passed, little by little, bundles of sand and soil were placed on the horses’ backs. Then, the morning after the full moon, they agreed that the time had come for them to teach their chosen ones what real closeness between horse and rider was all about.
    The women strode confidently down the bank toward the herd. This was the most important day of all—this friendly battle would finally be won or lost. As the sun rose to the highest point in the sky, Myrina raised her hands, and with one accord each woman leaped lightly onto the back of her steed. A few horses skidded in panic, but the women held on tight with their strong thighs that remembered well the warm feel of horseflesh. Soothing hands on necks and flanks reassured the beasts and soon each rider had her chosen one trotting obediently in whichever direction she wished.
    Tamsin laughed out loud as Snowboots turned obediently at her command.
    “Steady, Little Lizard,” Myrina warned. “Do not gallop before you can trot!”
    The women struggled to maintain their tranquility, but they could not help but send beaming smiles at one another, rejoicing in this achievement. On horseback their spirits lifted, so that the humiliation of their capture and slavery faded far into the past. If they could live in partnership with these spirited steeds, then they were truly Moon Riders once again, half-wild, magic women, full of strength and confidence.
    Myrina could not help but crow. “Mazagardi horse skills, once learned, are never forgotten!”

Chapter Ten
Leti
    F ARA POINTED OUT to Myrina the glint of metal that she’d caught in the moonlight, over beyond the rocks and trees. “Now we have our steeds should we not charge over and rout them out?”
    But Myrina shrugged. “Let them play at peek and hide.” She laughed. “They do not seem eager to advance.”
    The horses whinnied contentedly in the bright moonlight as the Moon Riders danced and sang. That night everyone went to sleep exhausted but content.
    Startling wild cries from the horses woke them just as the first fingers of light crept across the sky. The Moon Riders struggled to their feet, snatching up their bows at once. As they emerged from their shelters the sight that met their eyes filled them with fury. A small group of men rode fast among the horses, roping whichever beasts they could reach, sending terror racing through the herd that they had worked so hard and so patiently to win.
    “Maa take them!”
    “Curse their hides!”
    “Who was on watch?”
    Myrina strode down toward the river, whipping an arrow from her quiver and bending her bow. She was furious with the thieves and furious with herself. She’d been so pleased with their achievements, so exhausted at the end of the day, that she’d forgotten to set a watch. The women followed in her wake, swearing beneath their breaths, unwilling to scream out their rage for fear of sending the horses into further panic. But though they were at a disadvantage, still bleary eyed from sleep, they nocked their arrows and sent them flying fast toward the now fleeing men. Leti managed to catch her chosen horse running wild and distressed toward the camp. She leaped astride and raced after them, screaming abuse.
    “No!” Myrina bellowed after her. “Come back. They are not worth the risk!”
    But Leti’s fury made her deaf to all commands and, as she hurtled after them, her anger grew. She loosed her arrows and brought two of the men down. But the thieves were also armed with bows and they turned easily on horseback to swat this bothersome fly that would not be shaken off.
    “Ah . . . Leti!” the women gasped. They saw her fall, two arrows in her chest.
    “Vermin!” Fara cried, wildly looking for her own chosen horse among the panicking herd. “I will kill them! They shall feel my darts!”
    “No!” Myrina shouted, racing after her. “I forbid it!”
    “Stupid, ignorant