“Then it’s clear where we’re headed next.” She punctuated the statement by setting down her wooden cup heavily.
“Back to Norin?” Deneya said with a smirk, knowing full well what Vi was about to say.
“If you’d like.” Vi played into the woman’s jest. “But I’ll be heading to the capital of the Solaris Empire.”
“About time.”
“About time?” Vi snorted. “Imagine how I feel… it’s taken about thirty-two years and one rebuilding of the world for me to get to the home of my forefathers.”
* * *
Solarin, the capital of the Solaris Empire, was nestled atop a twin-peaked mountain. At the very top of the city, stretching toward the taller of the two summits, was the Imperial Palace. It spilled downward into stone buildings with tiled roofs.
Even from the switch-back road leading up to the city, Vi could see the castle’s golden-tipped spires and gigantic pennons forever fluttering in the mountain breezes.
“It’s smaller than I imagined,” Deneya said from the horse next to her, Midsummer. Vi rode Prism. Both women held lead ropes for the yearlings trailing close behind.
“Smaller, really?” From where Vi sat, it was massive. And they were still a good half hour down the mountain.
Deneya shrugged. “Nothing on the Dark Isle compares to Risen.”
“You can’t compare Solaris to Meru.” Vi chuckled. They spoke of a world not too far from their own, yet the travelers around them continued on none the wiser. Anyone who overheard their conversation likely wouldn’t believe or make sense of the remarks anyway.
They arrived at the main gate of the capital in good time. Their warstriders towered over most men and beasts; even their young offspring were the size of a regular horse. Rather than trying to fit in, Vi worked to stand out with her Western horses and dark hair.
“Excuse me, sir.” They rode for one of the Imperial guards stationed by the gate.
“May I help you?”
“I’m looking to speak with the master of horse at the Imperial palace. We bring a gift for the young prince’s fifteenth birthday and coming-of-age ceremony.” Vi motioned to the yearlings and added the slightest hint of a Western accent to her words.
“That ceremony isn’t for months yet.”
“Horses take time to settle and train,” she countered calmly.
“Head down the main road. It’s hard to miss the castle entrance. You’ll ask for Augus when you get to the stables,” the guard answered dully.
“Thank you.” Vi gave him a nod and they continued plodding along the main road of Solarin.
A sensation much like the first time she’d stepped foot on Meru overtook her. Icicles shone in the morning light hanging off undisturbed windowsills and gutters. Men leaned over balconies, taking drags off pipes that filled the air with sweet smoke. Music she didn’t know lofted over the sounds of people talking.
This was the place where she should’ve lived… in another world.
The palace was built in layers up the mountainside. At its lowest point were long rows of stables that reminded Vi somewhat sadly of the castle in Norin. They were stopped by two guards at the gates.
“Business?” one of the men demanded.
“We’re here to speak with Augus.” Vi motioned to the all-black colt with a stripe of white on his forehead. “We have a gift for the prince.”
“A moment.” The guard ran into the stables and returned with a barrel-chested man who had a thick coating of golden hair over his forearms.
“I hear you’ve got something for the prince.” The man pushed up his sleeves a little farther. “Well, bring him in, let me see the creature.”
Argus led them into the stables, heading for an empty stall toward the back. Both women dismounted when they came to a stop. Vi untied the lead rope of the black yearling from her saddle, passing it to Argus. The stable master did a quick round of the horse and let out a low whistle. His eyes swept across the four mounts.
“Where’d you come across these lovely creatures?”
“My father was a horse trainer for the royal family.” Vi thickened her Western accent slightly.
