"Kira!" Petr ran up to her and wrapped in her a big hug that smelled of horse and grain and dust. "You're all right!"

"Petr, do you know anything about why I'm here?" Kira asked as she stepped back.

"I know that your mother and father sent a Mage to give us a message that if any of the family saw you we should do anything we could to help you," Petr said.

"My mother said that?" Kira asked, startled. "We need to get to Ihris. Without being noticed. Oh, Jason, this is my Uncle Petr. I told you that, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did," Jason said, nodding to Petr. "It's nice to meet you."

"How does Mage Alera know you, Petr?"

"That's Mage Alera?" Petr waved, grinning. "Thank you, Lady Mage! I will help Kira from here on! Please honor my family with another visit!"

Alera waved shyly from her mount, then Swift vaulted into the air, climbing rapidly.

"Alain brought her to see us," Petr explained. "I had asked him if I could ever ride a Roc. Mage Alera let us ride Swift. She is very nice. We let her know she is always welcome."

"Petr, that is so great of you!" Kira said. She turned and waved a farewell to Alera as well even though Swift was already little but a dot in the sky. "What are you doing?"

"Taking our herd to market," Petr said. "At Ihris. You ride with us. When we show up, you'll look like just a couple more dusty ranchers visiting the city."

They began walking to join the others, who had gotten the herd back into motion now that Swift was gone. Petr introduced his two daughters and son, who were helping to herd the horses, and then his wife Signy, who was driving the wagon carrying supplies. Two more horses were saddled up as Kira talked to Petr and his family.

"Kira?" Jason whispered. "I've never ridden a horse. Not for real."

"You haven't? Petr! Jason hasn't ridden. Do you have a docile mount?"

"We've got old Reni. She's steady. How come you've never ridden, Jason?"

"He's from another world," Kira explained.

"All right, but they have horses, don't they?"

They managed to get Jason into the saddle of a mare who appeared content to let him pretend to tell her where to go. Kira mounted up, finding her mare considerably more frisky. "Petr, I don't think she likes me."

Petr laughed. "Your mother says the same thing about all horses."

"But she's right. Mother loves horses, but they don't love her. And this one doesn't love me."

"She likes you fine," Petr assured Kira.

"Then why is she trying to reach her mouth back far enough to bite my leg?" Kira jerked on a rein to bring the mare's head facing front again.

"A cavalry soldier like you shouldn't have any trouble, eh?"