Chapter 26

Diliani turned quickly toward the shrill voice. The demoralized Speckarin wasn’t certain where it was coming from. She pointed and spoke quietly. “We have company.”

    Two kirins were astride animals she had never known to be ilon. An expert in ilonry, she studied the sleek creatures with shining silver backs, rust-trimmed legs, and white underbellies. She had seen them in the home forest. They were gray foxes, the only breed of fox that climbs trees, and does so fearlessly. Their black eyes sparkling in the sunlight, they stood attentively awaiting orders from their masters.

    One of the kirins gave a high-pitched command and his animal started forward. The rider had an angular face and graying hair, wore a light green traveling garment, and on his lon...

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