The Dragonbards Trilogy by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Author:Shirley Rousseau Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, animals, dragons, sword scorcery, fantasyworld, evil creatures
Publisher: Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Chapter 12

The un-man was no taller than Teb, but broader and heavier, with shoulders humped forward, drawing a line of wrinkles across his yellow tunic. He took Teb’s measure with flat gray eyes, then turned back to face Starpounder. The stallion’s face, with lips drawn back, was pulled into a killer’s smile. His body was poised ready to strike again. When the captain thrust the halter at his head, Starpounder exploded, rearing, striking. Teb shouted and grabbed him—he came to the ground and backed off, but still he was tensed like a spring, pressing against Teb, glowering at the unman.

“Get away from him, Captain. You cannot halter him; no one can unless you know the signals.”

The captain’s voice was as flat and expressionless as his eyes. “Then show me the signals. How do you expect to sell creatures that will not obey and submit?”

“The stallion will obey the man to whom he is sold. I will teach the signals to that man.”

“Show them to me. Now.”

“When you have purchased and paid for the animal, I will do so.”

The un-man’s fury was like the silent lash of a whip. “Do you know who I am?”

“You are a captain of the army of Aquervell, and so captain to Quazelzeg.”

“I am High Captain Leskrank. I am captain to Supreme Ruler Quazelzeg, and to General Vurbane, ruler of Ekthuma, as well. I serve them on special mission. I desire to ride this stallion.”

“I will be most happy to oblige,” Teb said, controlling his anger. “But I will halter and saddle him.” Be still, Starpounder. You agreed to it; now swallow your fury and bear it.

Starpounder glowered at Teb, snorting, ears back, then came to him reluctantly. He put his head into the halter Teb held, but Teb could feel the effort it took. Teb stroked the stallion until at last he felt the fury of the dragon subside and calm. He saddled Starpounder with Leskrank’s own black war saddle, the sword still dangling at its side. He tightened the girth and gave the halter reins to the heavy-shouldered, gray-faced leader. Leskrank stared at the thin halter but evidently had been told, perhaps by Sardira, that was all Teb allowed on the horses.

“You must remove your spurs first,” Teb said. “He will not tolerate spurs.”

The man gave Teb a cold stare. “I am used to being master of my mounts. This stallion will learn that, when he belongs to me.” He moved to mount. Starpounder backed away and would not let the captain near him. Leskrank jerked the halter strap, but that did not faze Starpounder.

“When you remove your spurs,” Teb said, “he will let you mount docilely.”

Leskrank did so at last, and Starpounder came forward to stand still as the heavy captain mounted. Teb could feel the tension of the other three horses, could see the dragonfire behind their eyes. He slipped Seastrider’s halter on and swung onto her back, to ride beside Captain Leskrank. The other soldiers drew back from Windcaller and Nightraider, who stood eyeing them with challenge.

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