Chapter 1
The Pearl Plains, a vast expanse of grass and sky, stretched across Rule from the Great River in the east to the Tuna Sea in the west and from the Forest of Brethil in the south to the Forest of Endora in the north. Trik was traversing the southern portion of the plains, an emerald swath of low grassland interrupted here and there by gray sandstone bluffs. Riding beside him on a brown quarter horse was Emilia, a fair farm maiden with hair the color of autumn wheat. Although the sun was at high noon, the breeze was cool for a late summer’s day.
Emila turned to Trik and smiled with her turquoise eyes. “Where do you come from?” she asked.
Trik wore a wide brim hat, which kept the sun off his face and concealed his elven ears. His long dark hair billowed over his shoulders as he rode. “Anoka,” he said, making no expression.
She studied his face. “You don’t look like someone from Anoka,” said Emilia.
Trik tapped his heels against the flanks of his horse and rode ahead of Emilia.
Emilia struggled to catch up with him on her quarter horse. “Are you afraid I can’t keep a secret?” she asked, as she rode up beside him. “You know my father says I’m the most honorable of all his children. That is why he asks me to escort you from Anoka.”
“I don’t doubt that,” said Trik, “but I’m in no mood for talk.”
“You do have secrets,” she said, her eyes widening at him. “I knew it when I saw you in the market.”
His eyes narrowed on the grassy plains stretching before them for endless miles. Here and there were grass-covered bluffs, and sometimes sandstone pinnacles would rise above them. But there was not a tree in sight, or a river, or any wildlife except for birds. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “What do you want to know so badly?” he asked.
She rode forward to close the distance between them. “Tell me where you’re from,” she said. “Why do you dress like that? Are you a sailor?”
Trik shook his head. “No,” he said.
“When we were in Anoka you talked about ships,” she said. “I thought you might be with the sailors who go west to the Tuna Sea.”
“That was Anoka,” said Trik. “Long ago, before you were born, I would travel from Anoka to the coast.”
Emilia raised an eyebrow at him. “How old are you?” she asked.
“Very old,” said Trik, and he tapped the flanks of his horse and rode ahead of her again.
“Hey, wait up,” said, Emilia, attempting to keep up with him.
Trik slowed down as they approached one of the high bluffs. Halfway up, the grass ceased to grow, and was replaced by naked gray sandstone. He turned to Emilia. “You were to take me to your father,” he said, “not to ask me questions.”
“I’m sorry,” said Emilia, softly. “I only wanted to know a little. I hardly ever get to speak with anyone from the city.”
“Are we near your father’s ranch?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. She pointed at the sweeping bluff before them. At the top of the bluff was a large balanced rock. “That stone is called the Wild Stallion. We turn south here, and then there is only an hour to go.”
