CHAPTER 29 Horse and Foot Games

The excitement and noise in the air when they arrived at the place the races had been set up was a nice contrast to the general quiet that had prevailed over the city of tents for the last few days. Everyone who had been shut up in the tents and the Marluk'nak' needed the release. Men of Tarc of all ages were already swaggering and boasting. Men of Clarines weren't as open about it, but the competitive spirit was in their faces and eyes and their walk held their pride. Landras and Barakka appeared in front of Obi and Ilena and bowed with a slight flourish. Landras pointed to a part of the field that had things set up in it, but most notably a high-sided wagon. "The soldiers put up a jumping course for the horses. We asked if we could add the wagon and use it for the nightwalkers as well."

"Excellent!" Ilena said. "I want to watch Obi on that course."

"You won't run it?" Obi asked her in surprise.

"Maybe I might," she smiled at him, "but I want to watch you do it." She turned to her Lieutenants again. "Have you set footraces? It would be funny to see if the soldiers could keep up, but we probably shouldn't provoke them purposely. If you made at least one open to all-comers they and the Tarc could participate in that as well." They agreed to it readily enough. Ilena called for Zerak', Prota, and General Grosweiler to meet with them and they had a brief meeting as to what was planned and how to run the events. Event criers were assigned from the Children who could speak Tarcian to announce each event. They stayed by their assigned head of each division and helped to coordinate the events using the Family code.

The Tarc were allowed to go and call for their horses for the races. The horses came excited to see their human friends and even more excited when they saw it would be to race. The Tarc had to ride them down a bit before they could compete, so Ilena took that early opportunity to teach Justinian, Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki how to ride the pack horses of Obi's group through the paces of the race. By the time they understood it well enough to practice it on their own, the younger children had arrived on their horses. Ilena asked them to take care of her students and moved on to watch the beginnings of the Clarines horse activities. Her eyes and ears scanned the crowd and found Obi. She rode up and smiled up at him. "I see you found a horse."

Obi looked down from his higher height and smiled. "Yes. He's a lot like Fenrier, actually. His usual rider said it would be okay for me to borrow him and we've been getting to know one another." He patted the shoulder of his mount, who turned his head to look at him.

Ilena laughed. "He's more high spirited than Fenrier, I think," she said, looking the horse in the eye. She tossed her head at it and it pulled up just a little and stared back at her. She turned her head away and it paused, then gingerly put out it's nose to smell her. Reshali shook and Obi's horse pulled back a bit. Reshali lifted her head and lifted her upper lip to expose teeth and Obi's horse took one step away from her. Ilena chuckled and looked back at the horse and held out her hand. Reshali held still this time and Obi's horse looked away. Ilena moved Reshali just a little closer, still staring at Obi's horse. When it shifted away again, Obi clucked his tongue at him and pulled his head back. Ilena caught the bridle and pulled the head of the horse closer to her, but spoke in calm, soothing words until the horse finally lowered its head in obedience. Then she rubbed its nose with her free hand and praised him.

"They speak to all horses, then," Prota said from behind Ilena, "but these say things differently."

Obi and Ilena looked over at him and Zerak'. "Yes," Ilena agreed, "but it isn't that different, really." She released the bridle and the horse shook his head and neck out. "He'll run well for you, I think," she said to Obi. "Particularly when he understands that you love what he loves. Are you going to go practice next?"

"Yes. How are Master, Mister, and Miss Kiki doing?" Obi asked.

Ilena turned back to look at the youth race line. "Well enough. I think the children have stopped laughing by now," she blinked, "and it looks like they've been adopted well enough by proper competitors for their levels." She turned back. "It's as serious for the children as for the adults, after all."

"We've come to ask if we can add another challenge," Zerak' said. They looked at him. "We'd like to add wrestling." He tipped his head at the Lieutenants that were standing behind the brother's horses. "I'd like to challenge these your Seconds. It's been some time since I've been able to wrestle."

Ilena's eyes lit up. "I would like to see that. Will you wrestle both of them?"

Zerak' laughed at her. "One at a time, yes."

She looked at the Lieutenants. "Are you willing?" she asked. They both nodded with smiles for the challenge. "You can add it as a joint event, then. I think there are several children who would enjoy wrestling with the Tarc." She looked at Obi. "We could...add in hand-to-hand as well? The Tarc won't be able to join in on that one, but we could have Mistress Shirayuki's join in against the nightwalkers? And it would be another new thing for the Tarc to watch."

Obi's eyes lit up and he looked around the field. Petroi, would you like to go up against me in an exhibition match, hand-to-hand?

Petroi's head whipped around and he stared at Obi. Then another voice chimed in. I've been wondering how I would match up against you, if you're willing. They turned to look and saw Liam striding towards them.

Obi grinned. That would be an intriguing match. I'll accept it.

Ilena clapped her hands and laughed. "Obi versus Liam. That should be deliciously entertaining!"

Doubles, then? Petroi asked.

In what way? Liam wanted to know.

Master Obi and I against Liam and Barakka.

Eyes went to Barakka and his chest rose proudly. Ilena grinned at him. "It's a good match-up, if you think you can do that and a wrestling match with Zerak' in the same day." Barakka blew it off with a click of his tongue. "Very well, but be reasonable and set them far enough apart for you to recover properly. Zerak' isn't kind when he bends people into knots." She considered it, then said, "Let's get the races out of the way first. Then we can send the horses back and those who don't want to watch can put away the things pulled out for the races. Obi needs time to get his horse trained...let's get the low level Tarc races underway first. By then the obstacle races should be done for the Clarines horses and we can do the speed race for them. I think you'll be the most tired, Obi, actually," she grinned at him. "You'll be going from activity to activity quickly."

Obi shrugged. "I've got a lot of sitting quietly to get out of my system and then more to be ready to take after this. Having the hand-to-hand after the wrestling might be best, but whenever it fits is fine." He let Petroi know that match would be acceptable and informed Shirayuki's guards that hand-to-hand had been added as an event. Half were already competing in the current Clarines horse event, but they acknowledged it happily.

-o-o-o-

The clan heads were watching the Clarines horse competition as the Tarc racing lines were being used by the low and intermediate level riders to warm up on. They were interested in knowing how the different style worked and how the Clarines horses spoke to their riders. By the third race they were betting small bets on the outcomes of the races. Most of the time they were correct, but occasionally they would be surprised. Ilena smiled as she passed them on the back of Reshali headed for the open plain to practice her own run. Zen had won his heat nicely and Shirayuki's guards had all placed well in theirs, with Kirk edging out Brian in their heat. When the call came for the speed race of the Clarines horses, she returned from her practicing and watched Obi in the line to begin with the other competitors. The watchers this time were many and she could hear the betting be a bit more fierce this time. Obi's horse tossed its head and pranced a bit. Ilena smiled to herself. His horse had learned that Obi would give it what it wanted if it would do the same.

When the command to run was given, Obi's horse leaped out in the front and its long gallop was smooth as the horse commanded the earth to move under its hooves. Obi lay low over its neck and rode just as smoothly, as if both horse and rider weren't moving at all but the earth flew by under them at their command. They rode in a great circle and were still four horse lengths in front of the rest of the group when they returned to the beginning again. Ilena's heart flew with them and her smile was large on her face. As Obi's horse slowed for the cool-down run, Ilena touched Reshali and they moved to trot in line. Ilena stood up on Reshali's back and put her arms around Obi and kissed him. He picked her up and put her in front of him on the saddle and refused to let her go. "I like this prize," he said with a smile for her. "It didn't take long for him to understand."

"No, I could tell," Ilena said. "He was quite happy to be at the starting line, proudly knowing that the others wouldn't even touch him. It was a beautiful run. He's likely to be disappointed to go back to his owner."

Obi laughed. "Well, I think General Grosweiler would be unhappy with me for keeping him."

"Well, that's true," Ilena agreed. She looked for Reshali, who was still trotting next to the General's horse. "Are you going to run another with him?"

"Shall we see how he does against Reshali?" Obi asked, looking down at the horse next to them.

Reshali looked at them and rolled an eye. They laughed at her. "No, then," Ilena said, "but if you've another one you want to try against him, I'd ride it."

"Actually," Obi looked at her with consideration. "I'd like to see how Kesheb does, and you could keep him under control. Would you be willing?"

"Sure!" Ilena lit up. "Call him and we'll run with you."

"Do you need to practice?"

"No," she said airily. "I just got done practicing with Reshali. That's good enough. He'll learn what I want as we go." Obi whistled and Ilena called out in Tarc in her loud song, We'll be holding an exhibition match of the fastest Clarines horse against a Tarc horse in a few minutes in the speed race field. She repeated it in Clarinees as Usuri and Kesheb both came to Obi's whistle.

Obi thanked Usuri for coming and sent him back. That got Kesheb's interest. He'd not been ridden yet. Ilena motioned for Reshali and Obi helped her move back to Reshali's back. Ilena chose to stay standing and moved Reshali over to Kesheb, who looked at her wide-eyed. From there, Ilena subdued him until he was bowing to her. Ilena moved Reshali until she could step from her back to Kesheb's. Kesheb held very still, not quite sure how to deal with this strange creature. Ilena sat and he relaxed a little. She put him through his paces. When Reshali was content, she moved off to the side and Ilena rode him up to Obi. Obi laughed. "He's asking me why I've played such a dirty trick on him."

Ilena grinned up at him. "He'll be more obedient to you, won't he, after having to sit under me."

"Most likely," he agreed and led them back to the beginning of the speed race course. They'd gathered even more watchers, on foot and on horseback. When they passed Zen and Shirayuki, come to watch also, they bowed.

"You said you'd not compete?"

They shook their heads. "It's exhibition and a test of the horses only," Obi explained.

"We're the best riders for both sides, so it's a competition of horse not rider," Ilena agreed.

"You're not the best Tarc rider yet!" Prota argued back, having heard the comment from a little further down.

Ilena smiled. "We'll say it for now, and when I beat you it will be proven." She got another jeer but ignored it. They'd arrived. She reached forward and held onto the side of Kesheb's neck, lying almost flat against his back. He stopped in his place and listened to her body speak to him. She could feel him take a big breath, let it slowly out, then tense all of his muscles for the start. She nodded she was ready. The shout went out and she released him and they were running full out. She kept her eyes on the track beat out by the horses that had run before them and gently guided his direction to run. At the slightest hint in the tension of his muscles that he was going to misstep, she immediately moved slightly to correct him. He was paying so much attention to her that he was able to correct quickly and it wasn't until the yells of the watching crowd passed by her side again that she realized the race was over. She settled back on Kesheb to begin to slow him down and they were pacing down to a walk at the three-quarter turn of the race.

Ilena looked around to see Obi just behind her, his eyes watching her hungrily. "I wasn't paying attention to the race, I'm afraid," she said to him. "Who won?" He motioned her to fall back, but it had a bit of a tease of Ilena's Man in it and she wondered at it.

When she was riding next to him, he leaned down and put his hand behind her head and pulled her in for a long kiss. "I think," he said, "that's it's a good thing we aren't going to compete directly very often this afternoon. Having you beat me makes me want you even more. This poor horse did his absolute best but not much can beat a horse that has the very wind riding on his back. I'm not even sure Kesheb knows what happened." Ilena grinned at Obi and took another kiss. She took his hand and interlaced their fingers and they rode back to the crowd holding hands.

"Do it again!" roared from over the heads of the front row. They blinked. "But this time swap horses!"

"You'll kill my husband!" Ilena yelled back. "This one's not trained properly yet."

There was disbelief from the crowd until Prota stood forward and yelled, "I witness it. I was there when Head Clan Head Obi selected Kesheb but knew to let him learn more first before riding him." He turned to face Obi and Ilena. "Obi, let me ride in your place. I will ride the Tarc horse, but let your wife ride the one you're on. They wish to know if she can speak to both kinds as easily."

Obi gave a worried look to Ilena. "Can you?"

She looked back at him with wide eyes. "Well, I rode Fenrier in strange ways and he didn't complain. But this one doesn't know me. Shall we ask him?" She stopped Kesheb in front of Prota and hopped off. Kesheb sighed then paid attention to Prota who was already talking to him. Ilena paused just long enough to watch Prota, then smiled to herself and turned to the horse under Obi. This time she did it right, beginning with the bow, her right leg stuck out in front. His horse immediately responded in kind, adding the head bob to it. She looked at it calmly until it settled, then motioned for Obi to get down. He did, leaving the reins on the saddle pommel. "Take off the saddle," she said to Obi. "We'll leave the reins on, though, since he's used to listening through them."

The horse turned to watch Obi take the saddle off, slightly confused since that usually meant they were done with the riding, but Ilena didn't move so it just waited. When the saddle was off, it shook out a bit, glad to be rid of the weight. Ilena caught its attention again and let it know she was going to ride now. It raised its head and looked at her, then lowered it again and reached out its nose. She leaned and kissed it on the nose, then walked around to the side. Obi interlaced his fingers into a stirrup for her and helped boost her up on the back of the tall horse. She settled up high, just at the back of the shoulders, then shook herself out and took a deep breath. She picked up the reins and pulled back while sitting back at the same time, giving both the Clarines and the Tarc commands at the same time. She went through all of the basic commands several times, then tried just the Tarc commands. It was going to take too long. She'd have to use the reins. She nodded, and got the horse going to the start line, figuring out how light or heavy a hand she would have to have. Already it had learned she was lighter, and seemed willing to listen to the lighter touch on the reins. That was good. They arrived at the start again. Ilena looked at Prota who had arrived just before she had. "You've been racing against me for a long time, haven't you, Prota," she smiled at him. He looked back, the challenge on his face."That's fine," she said,"but this race won't determine who is better. The clan head race will tell us that, because then we will both be in the proper element."

"Will you race against me on this horse?" he asked. "Yours isn't up to the challenge."

Ilena laughed lightly. "We'll see." She got into place low against the back and neck of her horse, using the reins to hold it in place. When she and the horse were ready, she nodded. The command came and her toes were pressing into the sides of the horse. It lept forward and ran as if the very wind itself. Her eyes streamed with the force of the wind in her face, but she kept her focus on the course and gently directed it with the reins and with her leans until it understood the leaning and answered as she gave the first signs of the command. It seemed like they passed the crowd, but there was silence so she kept going until she heard Obi call for her, then she pulled on the reins and they slowed. As they reached the cooldown trot, she rose to sit upright again and turned her head until she found Obi and could focus on him. The horse under her went that way without her asking.

Obi held up his arms for her and she slipped down into them, one hand still holding the reins. Obi held her closely until he could say, "I'm glad that was a circular course. You almost passed him the second round."

The reins were slipped from Ilena's fingers and she put both arms around Obi. "I'm still here, Obi, but it was me riding the wind that time. He's very fast."

"Yes, that he is," Obi agreed, still hiding his face in her hair.

"I think you've both spoiled him," General Grosweiler said dryly from next to them.

Ilena turned her head enough to look at him kindly. "I'll talk to him. He'll be good and let you ride him." The horse's nose snuffled at her. "Thank you, too. Go with General Grosweiler. He was kind to let us ride you today. We'll come say hello again when we can." She tossed her head at the horse and he snorted a soft snort, then allowed the General to lead him away. "Give him a treat," she called after them. As she looked back behind Obi, she could see Zen approaching, the bets trading hands behind him among the watchers. "It's Master Zen," she whispered to Obi. He nodded and took a deep breath then raised his head to welcome his Master.

There was a stepping behind them and Ilena looked over her shoulder. Prota was looking at her with a look she was glad Obi wasn't looking to see. "The long legs of the horses of the south indeed can outrun the horses of Tarc in speed, but I still look forward to seeing how we compare in the Tarc races."

Ilena nodded. "We'll see," she said. "Sometimes Petroi beats me, so it could happen that you do as well. Watch him in that race. He's taking Obi's place. It may be you have to outrun him and not me."

Prota tipped his head, then nodded. He slipped off Kesheb and left him there, moving to return to the side and his own horse.

"It's a good thing to see the horsewoman for myself, finally," Zen said to Ilena as she turned her attention back. "Obi's said it several times, but that's the first I've really seen it."

"Thank you, Master Zen," she answered.

"You both know that General Grosweiler rides that horse because he's the only one that can get it to listen, right?"

"Most likely," Ilena agreed. "It's rather headstrong and very proud. We just gave it what it wanted, so it was willing to listen and let us come along for the ride."

Obi have a small burst of a laugh into the back of his free hand - the one Ilena wasn't holding on tightly to. "It seemed that way to me, but I think it was trying to catch up to you the second time. He was quite unhappy we lost the first time and couldn't understand why. When he learned why once he was running for you, he took everything he'd ever wanted and ran."

Ilena nodded. "I won't do that again. He doesn't know how to hold back enough to not have his heart give out in the middle of the run. But he does try hard to understand."

"Well, the garrison soldiers were pleased it was you and not the Tarc horse itself that made horses run like that. They felt sufficiently vindicated to be able to retrieve their lost bets from the first round." Zen folded his arms and looked at them dryly.

Ilena shrugged. "It's only because it was a short speed course. On the long demanding run, the Tarc horse would win out. The Clarines horses don't have the stamina to hold to the speed the Tarc horses have."

Zen shook his head. "What's next?"

"Obi needs to go practice for the intermediate level Tarc races. They'll start those as soon as he's warmed up." Ilena squeezed Obi's hand.

He looked back and she was relieved. His desire had returned to a low enough hunger for the public to not notice it. "Do you think after those two races I could ride Kesheb?" The horse, hearing his name, butted his head against Obi.

Ilena turned around and looked at Kesheb, then motioned. "Get on his back and let me see how he answers you in the paces." Obi obeyed and Ilena watched. Finally she shook her head. "If the two of you can practice it at least three times and he learns to answer to you, but he's still too youthful for it to be smooth. He'll push and you'll hesitate. Neither of you are ready for a full race. You are, however, both ready for the daily practice so that in another six months you'd be ready to race it together." She held out her hand and made a motion to Kesheb. He stepped sideways, and shook his head. She made another and he backed up. At another he walked slowly up to her and hung his head down. She sighed, then looked back up at Obi. "He agrees. He can't answer to you the way he could answer to me, but he's willing to learn. Have him run next to you and Usuri so he can begin to learn it by watching."

Obi looked at Ilena, then ran his hand over the top of her head and down the side until he was cupping her ear in his palm. "Thank you. We'll do our best."

"I know," she smiled at him. "I'm looking forward to it." He kissed her forehead, then released her and tipped his head at Zen. As he walked off with Kesheb calling for Usuri again, Zen stepped up next to Ilena. She looked at him. "Are you enjoying the afternoon so far?" she asked him.

He looked at her and nodded. "Yes, but you keep worrying Obi."

Ilena smiled. "That's not worry, Master Zen," she said. "He's trying to not steal me to his bed already. When we compete and I win he wants me even more. I won't be going against him in anything else this afternoon," she promised him as he blushed. She left Zen shortly after that, needing to see to some minor things. She was still needing to fly some, though.

"Hey, Mother," two arms were suddenly around her from either side as Marcus and Henry caught up to her. "Have you come back to the earth, then?"

"Somewhat," she smiled at them. "Did you win the junior set?"

They laughed at her. "Of course not, but we did well enough."

"That's good, then, I suppose." She considered them, then said, "Actually, I need a distraction until the next event I'm waiting for. Remember when I said I could get lost and never be found if I wanted to?" They looked at her suspiciously. "Let's play hide and seek until the race Obi's supposed to be in. I'll hide and you seek. You win if you see me on your own without help before the start of the race is called." She ducked out from being inside their arms and danced off, hearing their sighs. The last time she'd played this game with them they'd been very young in Lyrias and she'd been training them to hear her voice. This time she kept quiet and watched for them carefully to stay out of their sight and she didn't let them find her until Obi's race had begun. She watched Obi run and his determination was on his set face. She was proud of him. He came in third, which was really good for him, so she rewarded him again with hugs and kisses and praise. Thayne demanded at least a pat on the head for placing in the middle of the race and Ilena complied.

Obi sighed, though. "It wasn't first," he grimaced at her.

"No, but it's your own personal best to date. That's worth praising. I could see you working very hard." She rubbed his head. "Tell them not to start your heat on the foot obstacle course until I can come see it, okay?"

"Of course not," he said. "I want to see who of the three of you will win, or if you'll all tangle up and fall down."

"Heavens! Don't curse us!" she looked at him in mock horror. He tickled her and she relented with a sigh, then whistled for Reshali. Reshali came up a moment later and looked at her as if she was crazy. "What? We've been practicing it. We'll be fine," she said. "If you give up before we begin we've lost already. Don't do that," Ilena begged her horse. Reshali pointed her nose at a particular horse and Ilena saw it was under Petroi. Ilena watched them ride together for a bit. "Oh. ...Well, we look like that together, you know." Reshali sighed. Ilena put her hand on Reshali's back. "Well, let's go talk, shall we? If I agree with you, we'll ask Obi if he'll loan me a substitute...but I have faith in you." Reshali rubbed her head on Ilena. Obi looked at them both with an odd expression and followed after then, holding on rather subconsciously to Ilena's hand.

"Prota," Ilena called when they were close enough. "Reshali wants me to make sure I don't want to agree with you. Can I talk to your horse a minute?"

Prota gave her a suspicious look. "As long as you don't ask him to lose to you."

"No, I won't," she promised. "I can see you've both practiced together a long time." She bowed to Prota's horse. It looked at her, then turned its head away, but it was still watching her. She looked at it for a moment, then made a motion with her hand. It nodded. She made another motion and it looked at Prota. "Nice. Prota will you put it through the intermediate paces?" Prota nodded and the horse danced with him a little. Ilena's eyes lit up and a smile came on her lips. She bowed again and the rider and horse came to a stop. Ilena turned to Reshali. "Okay. Now that has my competitiveness going. I think we can do it. Trust me." Reshali sighed and leaned into her. Ilena chuckled and patted her back, then rubbed it down and lay down on it. "Really. Trust me." Reshali nodded and reached around and nibbled on her sleeve.

Obi looked at Reshali and nodded. Reshali sighed and let Ilena climb up on her back. "A reluctant horse isn't a fast one," Prota complained at Ilena.

"She isn't reluctant, she just hasn't had the opportunity to understand what she can really do," Ilena disagreed. "We'll be proper competitors against you...though I'd rather be able to watch you. You both dance excellently together." She tipped her head and looked at Obi with a smile. Then she set Reshali to a brief dance of her own.

"Looks good to me," Obi said. "Lighter than theirs."

Ilena nodded. "We'll dance the clouds while you dance the earth, Prota," she teased him. "And Petroi will fly in between, and we'll see who wins."

"And some year, Kesheb and I will come and beat all of you," Obi promised.

"We'll be waiting," Ilena promised and Prota nodded his agreement. Ilena turned her head, hearing a familiar sound and they watched as Petroi came riding up to them on his horse.

Prota shook his head. "They don't have the years of practice together yet, but still, it looks like he learned from you also."

"I suspect," Ilena said calmly. "He's learned to ride any horse he wants."

"Oh, that is an excellent thing to have learned," Prota said calmly.

"Obi knows it, too, he just hasn't learned the race itself yet," Ilena said. "He's only been racing for two months."

That stopped Prota. "Only two...months? And he came in third on the intermediate?"

Ilena nodded proudly. "Once he and Kesheb are one, they will indeed give us a race to behold."

Prota looked at Obi with a different eye. "So you were racing the first time with all you had then."

"Of course," Obi raised an eyebrow. "Every time." Prota nodded thoughtfully and considered it. Their race was called and everyone racing gathered to the line.

"Zerak' won't race?" Ilena asked Prota.

"No. He's too heavy for it, though he does fine. He'll race in the other high level races, just not the clan head one." Prota answered. "His Second is that one," he pointed with his head.

Ilena looked over and watched the man with his horse, then nodded. She set herself and Reshali at the starting line, then slid forward and wrapped her arms around Reshali's neck and said in her ear. "You are beautiful. We will run with the stars. Focus only on me. Look only at the targets. There are no others here with us today. It is only you and me and the race." When Reshali had taken a breath and sighed it out, Ilena slid back down and got into position. She could feel Reshali going into the ready tension of waiting for the signal. It was given and they were off. Again, Ilena paid attention to every muscle tension of her horse and of her own instinctively as her eyes looked ahead for the path they needed to take. She felt the other horses as they closed in and she remained calm. It took more focus with this many more horses and their closeness, to be able to make the smallest adjustments for placement and motion, but they passed the first target and were around it as smoothly as if they'd wound through an updraft to come out higher in the sky. The motion to snatch a cloth from the ring was as automatic as the push to run forward and fast again was. They rode as one, breathing long slow breaths that aided their motion. They danced around the triple turns as if they'd suddenly taken to a different song, but still no motion was wasted. The figure eight was smooth and Ilena put her weight where it needed to be to keep Reshali on her feet without sliding, then it was head straight back to the finish line as fast as they could go.

Ilena kept Reshali's rhythm in tune with her heartbeat so that she didn't fight herself, but just flew lightly on the ground as if in the clouds. They could hear hoofbeats pounding to catch up to them and Ilena smiled a proud grin. "Alright girl, teach them what you can do. Spread your wings and fly." Reshali's lungs expanded widely with an increase of air and suddenly she was going half again as fast and in another breath was twice as fast as she pushed the earth to turn under her instead of moving over it. Ilena rode it as if she were also doing the same - her own wings pushing the air with long strong strokes to fling the earth beneath them. A roar passed them as they passed the finish line, and Ilena's grin widened. She patted Reshali as she sat back to slow their forward progress and bring them back to earth. "See. I told you you could do it," she said proudly. Reshali huffed, but when they were on the return, she lifted her head proudly and pranced.

Prota laughed from beside them. "She's definitely learned what she can do," he said. He patted his own horse and Ilena smiled at them both.

"You did well, yourself," she said to him, then looked to the other side.

Petroi shook his head. "You've been holding out before this," he accused.

"No, I've not let her race against anyone other than herself before now," Ilena said. "Too much pride at the beginning would have slowed her down. She's got enough pride as it is. She would have trusted herself more than me, and I needed her to learn that I knew what I was doing, too. We've worked hard away from others for long enough that now is a good time to win."

"That was rather amazing," Shirayuki said from the sidelines as Ilena arrived in front of her, Zen, and Obi. "You were just barely ahead of everyone until the last form, then you left them behind, and when they were almost caught back up it looked like she suddenly left the earth behind."

"She did," Ilena said with a grin. "We flew. It's faster. She's not the wind like General Groswiler's horse, but she's better. She's learned how to get the same speed without damaging herself." Ilena turned to Obi and held out her hand for him. He walked over and she pulled him close to her and leaned down to his ear and whispered, "Come fly with me."

"Always," he answered her as he lifted his head to kiss her. She could feel her own wings beating and thrumming in the wind as she had flown with Reshali and she wanted it again - with him.

When she had hugged and praised Reshali a few more times, she sent Reshali back to the herd grounds to be watered. They watched the race Zerak' ran and he placed well. He looked large on his horse, being generally large for a Tarc to begin with, but his horse knew how to run with him and it was a smooth run. Then the Tarc clan heads and a few who had been seconds went to the Clarines men and asked if they could attempt to ride their horses. Having watched Ilena with General Grosweiler's horse, they were now even more keenly interest in understanding how it was possible. Ilena and Obi watched over this part closely. The soldiers held the heads of their horses as the Tarc talked to them. The horses themselves were rather confused. Some refused to listen to the Tarc and some answered. "The personalities of the horses really come out, don't they?" Obi commented.

"Yes, and some of them it's the training. They've been trained to answer to only one, like Prota's horse. It wouldn't talk to me either. It told me to ask him my questions. Some of them are saying that, but not in a way the men of Tarc understand. Shall I help them or let them see the difficulty?"

Obi tipped his head. "I think let it be difficult. We don't want them creeping down to steal our own after all."

"Well...that's true," she allowed and settled to just watching. Those who managed to get up on the backs of the horses found the height a little unsettling at first. There were one or two horses who answered to the shifting of the weight, but most just stood still. "...And it looks like General Grosweiler told them to not make it necessarily easy."

Obi nodded wisely, "I'd thought as much." In the end, the Tarc bowed politely to the horses, but walked away shaking their heads.

"How did you get him to listen to you?" Prota asked Ilena as he walked up to them. "You kept the lead on him. Was it that way?"

Ilena smiled. "They are bridle trained, but it's a thing the rider must learn also, the same as each Tarc must learn to talk to their own horses. I learned that way of riding first, before I learned from the Tarc, but I like talking to the horses the way the Tarc do better. I confuse the horses of Clarines, too, the same as you all did, but since I can tell them both ways, they come to understand it eventually." Prota shook his head again.

The remaining horses were sent back to the herds, and the Clarines horses were sent with the stable hands to the part of the plain used to pasture them. The participants and watchers now turned to the last part of the racing events. First was the foot obstacle race with the wall climbing using the wagon. The order was explained and the nightwalkers lined up for it. Obi won his heat with ease, but he was chased closely by a number of the Children and it looked like they were trying to catch him on the way over the wall. He barely seemed to touch it and flew over it, then was dashing off again for the final sprint distance. He was over the finish line by the time the closest runners were halfway between the wagon and the finish line. He stood there jauntily, his arms folded, grinning at the rest as they came across the line. He had to put three down on the ground, but the rest relented. Those who had watched roared in approval that their own Head had won. Ilena played Obi's Woman as his reward, though she kept it toned down, knowing Liam would scold her fiercely if she went too far in this place in front of the Tarc. "I want to run the roofs with you," Ilena said to him. "It really is your best element."

He bent down to kiss the base of her throat and she swooned for him slightly, but kept it so only they knew it. He lifted her back onto her feet and they grinned at the wild children around them. "Will you do the speed race?" he asked her quietly.

"No," she answered. "Marcus and Henry should be allowed their turn to shine, and I want to see how well they can do." That race was called for shortly after and they stood with Zen and Shirayuki to watch it. When Henry just marginally beat out Marcus, Marcus pounded Henry on the back in excitement. Ilena gave them both hugs and Obi gave them rubs of the head. Rio grabbed Henry's hand and held on tight and she laughed as Marcus acted up again. Ilena was glad Rio had been able to relax that afternoon as well.

Obi pulled on Ilena to turn away as he was called. "Petroi asked if I'll go discuss the strategy for the hand-to-hand competition," he said to her when he had her attention.

"Okay," she said brightly. "I'll be looking forward to it, too." He released her and she turned back to Marcus and Henry. There was something that had caught her attention, but it was gone when she turned back. She walked over to them anyway. "Hey, when you're rested up from that, will you race one more time?" They looked at her suspiciously again. "Really it wasn't that bad - it was even short," she defended herself. They rolled their eyes. She folded her arms. "This time, since you think I can't outrace you, race me - straight line, though we'll stay within the boundaries laid out by Master Zen. I want to be back to watch the hand-to-hand exhibition so that's our time limit - if you haven't caught me by then, I win."

"How much of a head start are you going to give us," Henry asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yeah, like a two-minute one, right?" Marcus chimed in.

Ilena rolled her eyes. "No, but I might consider a two second one."

-o-o-o-

Rio watched the three set themselves, the two young men ahead of her mistress by a fair stretch. When the three nodded, she called the start of the race. Mistress Ilena passed the Twins before they'd gone more than four of their own strides and was to the edge of the gathered people within a short amount of time. Rio was glad to see Marcus and Henry were keeping up well enough and working hard. They were also thrilled with the challenge. She sighed softly to herself and scanned the crowd. She found Petroi staring after Mistress Ilena and that his attention had drawn Master Obi's attention to Mistress Ilena as well. She began moving that way, and was half way there when Justinian slipped next to him and took his hand. "Master Obi," she heard from the distance. Master Obi wouldn't look at Justinian, though he held still. "Father," Justinian's voice was softer this time, but Rio was closer so still heard it. "She'll be back. She's just stretching her wings." Slowly Master Obi turned his head to look at Justinian. Justinian reached up and wiped at Master Obi's face. "She's so happy. She won't leave."

From her right, Rio heard Master Zen call for Master Obi. When he turned to look at the Regent, his face was calm, the call itself helping him to ground a little more. Rio wasn't sure it was much better than the flight he'd almost taken. He'd restrained himself from flying to catch her today, though it had been very difficult for him. She almost would have rather he'd gone to try. "Yes, Master?" he asked.

"What is it, Obi?" he asked.

"We were just watching Ilena fly," Master Obi said. "Justinian says she looks very happy."

"You would disagree?" Master Zen asked.

Master Obi looked after his wife again. "No," he said softly.

Rio had reached them. "She is mostly keeping herself busy with that, though," she said. "She's punishing Marcus and Henry for their not believing she can keep out of their reach. She's set the end goal, though. She very much wants to see Master Obi and Mister Petroi's match against Mister Liam and Mister Barakka. They'll return by then."

"Did she say that?" Master Zen asked. Rio nodded.

"Will she forget?" Justinian asked, his brow wrinkling in worry. "She can when she's in the grass."

Rio shook her head. "No. She won't, but if Master Obi or Master Zen call her she will come if you think she has." Rio tipped her head at Master Zen. "She has learned to be very obedient." He was looking at Obi, but had glanced at her so she knew he'd understood.

"Oh, well, yes, that's true," Justinian said innocently. "She always comes when they call. She did it when Master Obi called to her after she continued on in the race that startled everyone. She didn't even see anyone else then until she'd returned to him."

"...Very well," Master Zen said calmly, "then when it's time for the match, you'll call for her, Obi."

Obi bowed formally, with his hand to his breast. "Yes, Master." He was released to go with Petroi again, but Rio and Justinian exchanged looks.

"What's he struggling with?" Mister Mitsuhide asked quietly to Master Zen's back.

"Rio, did anything change today," Master Zen asked her.

"Yes, Master Zen. After the work was done this morning he met with her, in the plain, and held her while she cried quite hard. Hard enough he had to carry her to the tent to rest before lunch."

Justinian looked at Rio, not having been there to see that. "Was it a cleansing?" he asked.

"Possibly," she answered. "Master Obi is the only one that can do that for her, after all."

Master Zen looked at them, calculating. "She seemed fine when I talked to her and in watching her today I haven't seen anything to say she isn't recovering." He looked after Obi again. "As a matter of fact she said he's restraining himself now."

Rio nodded. "He would have flown after her but he restrained himself and stayed for Petroi and to answer your call."

Master Zen's blue eyes pierced her until he began to turn away. "Let me know how it progresses."

She bowed. "Yes, Master Zen."

-o-o-o-

Ilena was flying, in her mind though her feet pressed against the earth. Marcus and Henry were still behind her and she'd tried to not make them get too lost in the grass. She'd stayed close enough to the activities that they'd be able to find their way back by sound if they did lose sight of her. Her own timer had gone off and she was headed back towards it now. Her lungs filled and emptied like they had when she'd been on Reshali's back, and her heart beat fast and firm, filling her with life. She was just straining to hear a sound she wanted to hear when it came and her whole being lifted and her speed increased. She entered the grouping of people and darted and soared in quick motions as she went as directly as possible towards the call. People called out as she passed them and soon a line was opening up to let her though.

Obi was watching for her, and his eyes locked onto her. As she headed for him she could see him change his weight and balance so it looked like he was lifting and hovering over the earth. He lifted his hand and she focused on it, then was grabbing it. He turned with her, holding on tightly, so that her flight brought her in a circle around him as he pulled her in until he was holding her in his arms. When he let her go, putting both hands on her shoulders to look into her face, his expression was one of reward and happiness.

"Well, you are rather large, aren't you?" Zen said quietly with a smile from next to them. "It's hardly fair to call you a falcon any more."

"There aren't any birds this big," Obi said wryly. "It's just Ilena."

"I'll be your falcon anyway," Ilena said with a smile. "It works well enough for me. I'm not as big as the Eagle, after all." She shook out her wings and feathers and settled down until she was back to being Ilena. Obi finally relaxed then and moved to just take her hand. "You needed me?" Ilena asked Zen.

"They're ready to begin the final set of competitions. Come stand with me and we'll watch together."

"Okay," she said brightly and nodded, then turned her head while trying to not look away from him.

"What is it?" Obi asked.

"They're coming," she said calmly, "my two."

"We can wait," Zen said just as calmly. They turned to watch. The Twins were better behaved and slowed down as they approached until they stopped in front of the little grouping.

They bowed to the people in the group. "It's time to start then?" Marcus asked lightly, though his hands were on his knees and he was panting.

"Yes," Obi said with a smile for them.

Henry dropped to the ground. "Good. She'll be grounded for a few minutes then." He was also panting.

Obi rubbed his head then looked at Ilena. "We're doing the exhibition first, then they'll do the elimination tournament. The pattern will be repeated for the wrestling after that. That will give Barakka the time to recover."

"Okay," she gave him a kiss and moved to stand next to Zen. "Mistress Shirayuki didn't stay?"

"No," Zen said, and pointed, "she's standing with her five there, waiting for the competition to start."

Ilena looked and could see they were standing on the opposite side of the open area. Shirayuki saw them looking and smiled. Ilena smiled back. Obi bowed to Zen, stole a kiss for good luck from Ilena, then took Petroi and Thayne and moved to the center of the area set aside for the match.

-o-o-o-

Zen watched Ilena more than he watched the match. Like at Lyrias, she was focused on what the combatants were doing, and her eyes darted between the competitors, measuring and calculating, but this time it took her longer to settle on a winner. Finally she said. "Liam isn't as serious as he should be. He's afraid of hurting Obi. We'll have to train him out of that." It was a side comment, almost said without thought that it was aloud.

Zen watched the pairs for a moment. When Petroi and Obi suddenly switched who they were attacking, Ilena nodded soberly but didn't say anything. Zen could see that the new pairs were suddenly more serious and determined. "Petroi and Barakka have fought before?" he asked.

"Yes, regularly," Ilena answered, "he's had to keep the Lieutenants under him and that's one of the ways."

Zen could see why they'd not been as serious during the first half, then. It was already a pattern they knew. When facing something new, one had to focus more. "Is this Obi's first time against Barakka, then?"

"In hand-to-hand for a full stint. He did have a brief dominance fight when he took me back to set his position, but he has to win this or he loses face in the Wilant City House and will be challenged by the best person here from Lyrias. Even if he wins that one, when we go back to Lyrias he'll be challenged by the best Lieutenant there."

"Is this pairing so wise, then?" Zen asked.

Ilena paused, then nodded. "Thayne is a Messenger like Petroi so shouldn't be set against them, but it had to be someone of high enough level even still, since this is a King - Messenger pairing. To have it be a Queen's Guard and a Lieutenant is sufficient, but they have to win. ...If they begin to lose, they'll go back to the previous pairing and put them down quickly." Zen nodded and watched quietly, still keeping half of his attention on Ilena. When she relaxed, he knew the match was coming to a close. In a double move that ended it all at once, Obi put Barakka down and put his knee on his back and a hand to his throat. Petroi slipped in under Liam's reach and used a feint to get Liam on the ground and pinned him there with an arm on his throat and a whispered word in his ear. Both men relented. Ilena called all four to come. When they arrived, she looked at them as they bowed to her and Zen. "Liam. You will be in lessons with Petroi when we get back until you understand how far you can go with us. You weren't firm enough." He bowed again. "Barakka, I hope you understand, now. Be obedient." He bowed as well. "What reward do you want, Petroi?" she asked.

He stepped up to her and took her in a gentle hug. She was surprised, but returned a gentle hug to him. "Thank you, Petroi, for watching over me before and over Obi now," she said.

"If you can be free enough to smile and fly with the horse and wind again, I have received my reward already," he said to her. She nodded and he released her to step back with Obi.

Ilena turned to Obi. "Thank you for holding onto your seat again," she said. "It was an enjoyable match to watch."

"You won't ask what I want?" he asked her.

Ilena tipped her head. "Obi, you want me. I don't think that at this location at this time is something Master Zen and our guards are willing to let you have." Eyes were going very large around the group. "Please wait until at least Master Zen and Mistress Shirayuki and all the Tarc have turned around and fled." Marcus and Henry were fighting to not laugh too strenuously and a red blush was creeping up Obi's face. Zen had to laugh, though he tried to be nice about it.

Obi shook his head. "I am fortunate enough to have you every night." He waved a casual hand. "I was thinking more along the lines of you and a bottle of fine port." He looked at Zen. "What do you say, Master? Have I done well enough to be rewarded by you also?"

As Barakka jeered and commented about men with expensive tastes, making Ilena have a turn to blush slightly, Zen nodded. "I think that would be acceptable," as Obi's eyes lit up, he added, "as long as Ilena continues to behave for the rest of the day."

They both protested but he only raised an eyebrow. "Very wise decision," Kiki agreed from behind him.

-o-o-o-

When Brian, Kirk, and Leon were finally out of the competition, Shirayuki led her guards back over to Zen. He wrapped an arm around her, content to have her with him again. With them added to their grouping they were a full complement of royals and guards again, though it was nice to be relaxed and casual.

The winner of the hand-to-hand tournament was given his reward and the wrestling exhibition was set up. Zerak' decided to go against Barakka first, having seen how he moved in the hand-to-hand. The match lasted nearly five minutes, which Ilena informed the others was a long match for Zerak'. Zerak' won in the end and thanked his opponent, who thanked him back. After a short rest, Zerak' called Landras to come. Landras set opposite him with a smile. "We all fight and wrestle differently," Landras said.

"I'm sure," Zerak' said. "I will learn more new things from you."

This match was different, as Landras was more slippery than Barakka, like Ilena or even Justinian, but often it seemed more soft than slippery until in a sudden opposing style Landras was hard and swift. It was one of those moves that pinned Zerak' down and he had to relent. As the three walked to stand in front of the High Lord and the Head Clan Heads, they discussed the moves so that Zerak' could understand them a little better.

"For never having seen a cat you've fought against one well," Ilena said when they arrived.

"Oh?" Zerak' raised an eyebrow.

"Landras' style," she explained. "The cat is a soft furred creature that will bend to prevent you from touching it, then demand to be pet, then will swipe at you with claws that warn you sharply to leave it alone. It is a fickle creature. When it's used in the ring, it's a confusing combination. Obi fights with a different cat style that Petroi shares, but we don't let them do that against each other since they lose themselves completely and one would die before they stopped. You would also lose to it very quickly. If he ever goes cat on you, run - except that kind of cat chases until they catch you. It's similar to the fox, only more deadly." Zerak' nodded. "At the least, you've proved to the Children that you've been awarded the correct ranking, the same as Prota proved it by his position in the horse race. They will listen now to the both of you as if you come with our own words or the words of our other Seconds. See you treat that reward wisely. If you betray that trust they will kill you themselves, without remorse."

"I understand," Zerak' bowed his head. "It was enjoyable to learn and to even be beaten for only the second time." He turned to Landras. "I would enjoy more experiences like that. I'm getting flabby for not having anyone to fight against."

Landras grinned. "I'm not sure I want you to know how to defeat me."

"Do it anyway," Ilena said dryly. "He gets just as dangerous as the lot of you when bored." She motioned and the wrestling between the rest of the men was begun.

It was more loosely structured and a number of the stronger Children stepped into the ring as candidates to wrestle, now they understood how the Tarc did it. When General Grosweiler stepped in to take on one of the older competitors, they paid attention. It was a close match and in the end they both were caught and slipped out several times because the styles were different enough. General Grosweiler finally stepped back and held up a hand. "I will yield," he said. "We are too evenly matched."

"Will you take on others?" was asked.

General Grosweiler laughed. "No. I was merely interested in seeing how my own style compared. It's sufficient here." There was disappointment, but they let him go and moved on. He walked over to Zen. "I thought since I was the only high-profile person to not have proved myself, I should put forth at least a little effort," his eyes danced.

"You're certainly allowed to relax a little, too," Zen answered in kind. They stood companionably until the competitors for the wrestling stopped stepping forward. Then Ilena and Obi stepped forward, thanked and congratulated everyone, and sent them home to their own tents to rest and eat their dinners. The next day would hold more work, but also the market again, and many people of all the groups looked much more content and relaxed having had the opportunity to mingle and to use their muscles in good ways.

As the royal group from Clarines walked back to their own tents, Obi continued to hold Ilena's hand in his arm. Ilena looked around the group until her eyes found the one she wanted and she held out her free hand until Rio had taken it and was walking with them. Because of the positioning, Marcus and Henry traded places behind her and Henry briefly put a hand on Rio's shoulder, then released her. She relaxed a little, knowing Henry was near. That finally confirmed what Ilena had been wondering and she sighed to herself. That would also have to be dealt with before too long, but it could wait for now.

When Justinian began to dance in the grass, Ilena tugged on Obi's hand and he let her go. They watched the two dance with the wind in the grass for a while, then Zen stepped over to Obi and put his hand on his head to rub it a little. "Obi. You have done very well." He put his hand down and looked at Obi soberly. Obi tipped his head curiously. "There is one more thing I would like to see."

"What is that, Master?"

"I would like to see you fly with your wife."

Obi straightened and looked at him soberly. "You will lose sight of us, Master."

"No," Zen answered, "I don't think so...but even if I do, I know you'll both come back if I call."

Obi gauged his seriousness, then bowed formally. He strode out into the grass and stood for a moment. "Ilena," he called. As she turned for him, he said, "fly." They watched her as her dance turned into low swooping runs until they built up into a long run. Obi called for her again and she came for him, but this time, instead of catching her and bringing her to ground, he caught her and they swirled around in an open spiral until they both spread their wings and ran together. Obi fell back just a little, then from that position spurred her on until she was running from him at great speed. He would turn just a little and cut her off until it looked like they were playing a game of tag as they turned and twirled and spun around each other. At the last moment, before he swooped in to capture her, Zen called for them both. Obi immediately grabbed Ilena's hand but she was already turning herself as well and together they both returned to stand in front of him eyes bright, Ilena panting a bit.

Zen nodded to himself and them a few times. As he turned their group to finish the walk to their tents he said, "Don't forget to pick up your bottle of port before you retire for the night."

"Thank you, Master," Obi said happily.

"You'll sell your soul for so little," Ilena said wryly to him.

When he protested she didn't explain herself, but Zen understood. Raising his head, but not looking over his shoulder, he said, "You may like a fine bottle of port, but her tastes are even more expensive than yours."

"Hoh? What are you paying her with?" Obi wanted to know.

Zen sighed. "A third of my herds and my favorite stallion." As Obi tried to puzzle that one out, Mitsuhide put his hand consolingly on Zen's back.