“No, it wouldn’t do any good. I’ve said what I have to say. I just have to trust that she’s well and that we’ll get to her soon.” She swallowed. “You’re right, I’ll close my eyes and go to sleep. In a few hours we’ll be able to start after her again.” She shut her eyes. “You said six, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” His hand reached out and gently squeezed her good shoulder. “It will be here before you know it. Six A.M.”

*  *  *

Jubaldar
6:14 A.M.

“I didn’t expect the stable to be this busy.” Sasha’s gaze wandered over the dozen or so stable boys working in the horses’ stalls. They were all moving with almost frantic alacrity on the sharp orders of a tall, gray-haired man standing at the exterior stable doors at the end of the aisle. “Though I suppose I should have. You made it clear that the horses are the only thing important to you. Is it like this every morning?”

“If it’s not, the stable help isn’t allowed to repeat their mistakes. Davidow has his orders to keep his staff efficient and productive. I decided it would be easier and safer for me not to bring any labor up here other than guards. Any other help comes from the villages near here, and it’s worked very well. Living is very hard for them here in the mountains, so I had my pick of men, boys, even a few women I thought might be trainable for entertainment. It didn’t take them long to learn that as long as they obey and keep their mouths shut, money would regularly be sent to their families. If they turned out to be troublemakers, they had unfortunate accidents in the stables or on the track and their bodies were returned to the villages. Davidow knows his job is on the line if I’m not pleased.”

“Some of those boys are only teenagers,” she said bitterly. “What is it with you? Is dealing with adults too difficult for you? And if they grew up in the mountains, some of them probably know practically nothing about horses. Even if they wanted to please your trainer, they wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“Some work out, some don’t.” He shrugged. “I admit, since I sent up the horses from St. Eldon’s, Davidow’s been having problems with keeping and training quality staff. But now that you’re here, I fully expect that might be resolved.”

“And he’s supposed to keep me efficient and productive, too?”

“He might try now and then, but he realizes you’re in a special category. Though I don’t deny he might be happy if you proved to be a failure. That would also make him look good in comparison.” He called out to the trainer, “Are you ready for us, Davidow?”