The horsemen were not Luthanians; they wore black and gold armor from head to toe. Short, black leather cloaks, edged with gold, were attached to their shoulder armor, and black and gold feather plumes protruded from the top of their black helmets. Their swords were sheathed in black leather scabbards that were decorated with gold scrolling and their shields were covered in black leather with a gold phoenix, its wings outstretched, embossed in the center.

Instead of armor, the horses were covered entirely in black leather, edged with gold, and the same gold phoenix was embroidered on the corner of their skirts. The horses’ eyes looked out of slits in the black hoods that covered their heads and Kaira noticed with surprise that the saddles were of gold-colored leather.

One of the riders halted hi...

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