Oleg looked to the right and saw Tatyana mounted on a beautiful mare with speckled hindquarters. She wore an azure sash tied around her fur-trimmed cap, a pale kaftan with green embroidery, and her icy blue eyes flashed with amusement.
He put a hand on her mare’s neck, patting the soft coat of the animal, and reached his hand out. She extended her arm, and Oleg took her hand. He kissed her knuckles, letting his lips provoke a spark on her skin.
“I have every confidence in you, my lady.”
Mika came riding up with a cocky grin.
Oleg narrowed his eyes at Mika. “Especially as you have poached one of the best riders for your team.”
Mika leaned over to Tatyana. “Tell him nothing, surati. Show no weakness. I will show you how chaugan must be played with this one.”
The corner of her mouth turned up, and it appeared that she might even be having fun.
“Lord Oleg?” A deep voice called his name.
He turned and saw his groom waiting, then turned back to Tatyana and Mika. “I see how you array against me, but I will still be victorious. I will see you on the field.”
Mika laughed at his back, but Oleg walked over quickly to the older man who was tying up his horse’s black tail with an elaborate ceremonial braid.
“Wait. Is this…” Oleg looked away from his groom and finally met the eye of his starting mount. “You.”
The animal tossed his head and snorted.
Rudov came up to Oleg, leading his favorite mare, Leila, and slapped Oleg’s shoulder. “I see you and Baraz meet again.”
He narrowed his eyes at his brother. “This is not chance.”
“I am telling you, the horses were chosen in a draw, and you know he is only one of four.” Rudov threw up his hands. “The gods want you and Baraz to become friends.”
Because of the intensity of the match, each ten-minute period—a chukka—their horses would be swapped out, which was part of the reason that Rudov had bred such a massive herd. One chaugan match would entail the work of nearly fifty chaugan mounts.
Rudov added, “He’s one of the strongest horses in the herd.”
“If you mean the hardest-headed, you are correct.” Oleg walked over and placed the soft braided saddle pad on his horse’s back. “You did this on purpose.”
Baraz tossed his head and snorted again, clearly as excited to see Oleg as Oleg was to see him.
Rudov patted Leila’s soft cheek. “I think you two are perfect for each other.” Rudov’s horse whinnied. She was likely in on the joke.
Oleg’s groom placed the wide, flat leather saddle on the horse’s back, securing it to the animal as Oleg observed.
“Fuck off,” Oleg said to Rudov. “You took that horse’s balls, and I’m convinced he blames me for it.”
“I made an exception to the draw for your bride and gave her Golshan as her starting mount,” Rudov said. “I understand she’s a newer rider.”
“Of course you give me your most ornery gelding and give Tatyana your cleverest mare.” Oleg’s groom nodded at him, so he walked over and mounted his equine nemesis. “Let me guess, you’ve put yourself on Tatyana’s team as well.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Rudov said. “I put Mika, Pavel, and Lev on her team, and she has two of her own people as well. Youget Lazlo, Ivan, and Oksana along with two Poshani players who offered to join. The Poshani players are wild cards, of course.”
That was… actually quite even.
“And what about you?”
Rudov swung up on Leila and tied a white sash around his fur cap. “I am the referee, of course.”
“Since when do we play with rules?”
“Since we have guests.” Rudov spread his arms. “Didn’t you realize, Knyaz? The vampires of the Kievan Rus have arrived.”
