Take the Reins by Siobhan Muir

Author:Siobhan Muir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy romance, military adventure, centaurs, fantasy action adventure, rifts, dimensional rift, three lakes books
Publisher: Siobhan Muir

Chapter Ten

Mack watched the guards lead in a female centaur with the regal bearing of a queen and the air to match. The woman had charcoal gray hair, but it matched the stockings and tail of her horse portion, and didn’t appear to be from age. Diaphanous sleeves fluttered from wrist and shoulder as she swung her arms, and golden bangles encircled her wrists and fetlocks. He found her human portion beautiful and had to give Warrick kudos for his choice in Lead Mare.

“Welcome, Lead Mare. Please state your name, species, and occupation for this tribunal.” The centaur who reminded Mack of an old Marine nodded to her.

“My name is Idrissa Plainsrunner, I’m a centaur, and I’m Lead Mare to the Forest Edge clan.” She crossed her arms under her ample breasts held by a pale purple half-shirt connected to the sleeves at the shoulders. Mack tried not the stare at her chest.

“Thank you, Lead Mare. Please tell this tribunal what you know of Mare Bethany and her conduct in the village.”

The regal woman inclined her head as she gathered her thoughts. A crystal-encrusted tiara winked in the light of the torches flickering inside the barn. Talk about an old-fashioned, down-home trial. At least no one stood around with shotguns and overalls.

“Mare Bethany is a kind, caring, and forthright guest in my household and she has done nothing beyond her duties while here in the village.” Idrissa met the tribunal’s gazes without tremor or fear.

The centaur called Corbin scowled. “This tells us nothing. The Lead Mare is conspiring with the human to undermine our control.”

Mack ground his teeth and clenched his fists before he told the old bastard to shut up. Fortunately, he didn’t have to.

“Be still, Stal Corbin. Your disdain has been noted, but this tribunal will hear the Lead Mare’s testimony.” The Marine centaur’s voice hadn’t changed pitch, but Corbin grunted as if taking a blow.

Mack stifled a smile and kept his gaze from straying anywhere.

“To your knowledge, Lead Mare, what were the duties assigned to Mare Bethany?”

“Mare Bethany was ordered to negotiate a new way of understanding between General Warrick and his mares.” Idrissa glanced at Bethany before turning her gaze to the tribunal. “She has done so admirably and with great patience despite setbacks.”

“Yet, has it not escalated? Aren’t all the mares now protesting treatment by their males?” Corbin thumped the desk before him. “The human female is a menace and now she’s brought another.”

Idrissa raised an eyebrow. “Was there a question in that for me, Stal Corbin, or were you merely venting your spleen?”

Mack caught Warrick’s lips twitching to hide a smile and he mentally shook his head. Damn, that woman has moxy.

The Marine centaur cleared his throat. “What other duties did Mare Bethany assume while in the village, Lead Mare?”

“I learned Mare Bethany had healer abilities from her schooling in her own world and I asked her as my guest to use them for healing minor hurts and increasing the general health of the mares, not only in General Warrick’s harem, but of the other harems in the village.

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