"Do what you can, Mearch. It is our
Emperor's desire that she should learn to do more with horses than to
look at them. I'm getting too old to ride along with his Majesty on the
odd excursion, so a competent replacement has been wanting for some
time. I have any number of young male understudies, but his majesty has
taken a fancy to the girl. Anyway, you're to set her up with her own
mount, and see that she learns how to handle herself on four legs as
well as two."
Si'Wren's eyebrows quickly raised in astonished hope, disbelief, and
anticipation.
For her--a horse?
"She is also to be given ivory marking sticks," Ibi remarked
significantly, "and knows how to make proper use of them, too. You're
looking at a lady of station. We're having them carved now."
"It's your show," Mearch shrugged. "I can give her no ivory, but we can
definitely take care of the horse. If that will be all--"
Ibi paused, looking up at Mearch with a serious expression.
"No, that will not be all. I've seen your negligent attitude toward
outfitting junior officers of the court in the past, and it was
entirely too careless for my liking."
Ibi rose up off his seat suddenly and leaned forward, propping both
bony arms firmly and authoritatively on the workbench as he regarded
the other intently eye to eye, with a look of menace.
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