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Show EarthAngus herds had given way more and more to herds of dwarf YellowBison and EarthPigs, and the DragonGeese flocks now were mostly made up of the big reds, the vicious reds who could fair kill a JumbleDog, or even a human wight, if it were enough enraged. Janni roused herself from a light sleep and looked out the window. They had banked, taken a turn around the small market town of Brighton, and come down on the grassy expanse of the square's landing pad. A small flock of red DragonGeese was making its way across the square, a few aircars could be seen, and many small overland, rubber-tired trucks and sedans. A horse and low wagon were drawn up before an alehouse, next to a cart with a JackPony in the traces, nodding its leathery, dappled rose head. On the opposite end of the railing were tied a squire's gray gelding and a huge black war horse. By the mass! A war horse? Janni stared out the window. "Be thou sure, my Mother, that we are not in the Provinces?" she said, for the Commendium folk all used light-weight mounts, even in their tourneys. Dr'Anya was frowning through the window at the horse-a great-chested beast, glistening black, backed with a high-edged saddle which was studded with gleaming steel rivets. Stirrups and bridle were likewise decorated. The horse was tossing its head and the small bells attached along the cheek straps and chest collar were jingling in the quiet of the square. "Aye, but we'd have gone a fair way if we are, for that is assuredly an Eastern Kingdom saddle." And indeed, the boundaries of that fearsome kingdom were a good two-months' march by horse from the eastern foothills of the Tartars. Dr'Anya backed the aircar into a spot under the square's largest tree and looked at the power gauge. The rods looked charged enough to take them to the FarthestPost, but she'd get a brace of new ones, e'en 142 |