Robert Asprin – Thieves World 09 – Blood Ties

She blew Zip a kiss. “Sorry, lover,” she called. “It’s yes or no and no time to think about it-that’s the way it is with me.” She gathered the reins in both hands. “But how about tomorrow night?” She nudged the Tros with her heels and clicked her tongue. The horse raced through Shambles Cross and turned onto

Farmer’s Run before Zip could say another word.

Though Lowan Vigeles’s properties extended all the way to the Red Foal River, the major portion of the estate was ringed by a massive, fortified wall. Along the southern rampart, with gates of their own, stood the stables. It was through this gate that Chenaya rode. Dismas held it open, hailed her, then leaped frantically clear before the Tr6s trampled him into the dirt.

Chenaya jerked on the reins with all her might. The war-horse’s hooves tore up chunks of earth. It reared, nearly throwing her again, then stopped, completely still, trembling.

She blew an exhausted breath, swung one leg over the Tros’s neck, and slid to the ground. Dismas, Gestus, Walegrin, and Rashan hurried to her side.

“Damn beast nearly gave it to me!” Dismas mutterred, brushing dust from his sleeves, looking as if he’d eat the Tr6s if given time to build a fire.

Chenaya pushed the hair back from her eyes. Her golden mane was a tangled mess; sweat and dirt streaked her cheeks. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and passed the reins to Gestus. “Put him in the pen with Lowan’s mare. Hurry!

She’s in heat, and this one’s got enough krrf in him to incite the lusts of an army.” She swatted the Tros’s rump as the gladiator led him away. “Rashan, I want you to invoke Savan-kala’s blessing on this union. The mare must conceive.