The first time Kindra told Timin not to touch the horse, he stepped right up to Eoin and ran a hand down his nose. When the horse tried to bite him, he smacked it on the snout and told it no. Timin was enamored, and the horse didn’t try to bite him again. Kindra didn’t have time to figure out how he tamed the beast in so short a time because she was planning a war.

“Where did you get him?” Timin asked as he stroked the long neck.

She turned to him, distracted. “A tribe downriver. Don’t touch him.” She turned back to her plans with Carrick and the woefully unprepared Bryant. The Faye man picked up the basics of fighting with the spear well enough, but she still wasn’t sure he’d be able to kill anyone. Especially not with Celeste floating over his shoulder, studying his every move. She seemed like a jealous girlfriend more than a protective priestess.

“Can you ride him?” Timin again.

Kindra took a deep breath before turning to the sandy-haired man. “What do you mean, ride him? And I told you not to touch him.”

“Timin’s bad at keeping his hands off things that aren’t his,” Bryant muttered.

Timin bristled and glared at Bryant. “The horse likes it.” He smiled. “So did Kaye.”

Kindra stepped between them before anymore could be said. “What do you mean, ride it?”

Timin’s gaze slowly left Bryant. “You know, sit on it’s back.”

She looked at Eoin’s back. “Why would I do that?”

“Because a horse can run faster than you and sounds like thunder.” Timin’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Want me to show you?”

“I want you to stop touching him before he eats you and I’m down a warrior.” Kindra grabbed the rope from him. She didn’t trust this Gaerlom boy at all.

He chuckled. “Don’t you want to try?”

She looked at Eoin’s back again. She had never realized before just how tall the horse was. “No.”

“That’s too bad. Is this the only horse your tribe has?”

The inane questions were getting on her nerves. “Yes.”

“And the other guys, these Obsidians—have they ever seen a horse?”

That finally gave her pause. “They fear horses, if I’m to believe my traitor chief.”

Timin smiled. “Then I have an idea.”