Four Horses For Tishtry Read Online Free

perfect.”
    * * *
    For two weeks, Tishtry spent the greater part of every day working her team. She took them out on the practice trails, worked them individually and in combination, ran them through their paces on the lunge, rode them as well as yoked them up to her chariot, and spent hours in the practice ring getting them used to working together. Every sign of improvement made her glow with pride; every mistake seemed almost a personal insult.
    “I think they’re almost ready to start learning the tricks,” Tishtry confided to her sister Macon as they sat alone in their little bedroom late one evening.
    “The saddles aren’t finished yet. I’ve got bridles for three of them.” Macon was not easily excited, and now her unflustered attitude annoyed Tishtry.
    “Don’t you want to come and watch?”
    Macon shrugged. “Why should I? I’ve seen your tricks many times. And if itturns out that I’m to go with you when you leave, I’llsee them often then. Right now I’d rather spend the time with the saddles. Now that I know which horses they’re for, I can make a perfect fit on each.” She smiled, showing her pride in her work.
    Tishtry tossed her head. “Don’t you even care about my tricks?”
    “Well, of course I do,” Macon answered, as if unaware of Tishtry’s irritation.
    “It doesn’t sound like it,” Tishtry snapped, her face flushing.
    “Tishtry.” Macon said very seriously, “I saw Janoun get killed. I could only stare while it happened. You weren’t there. You don’t know what it was like, watching our brother dragged and trampled. I don’t like watching trick riders and trick charioteers anymore. I can’t get the memory of Janoun out of my mind while I watch. And though I know you’re a better rider than he, I can’t help but be afraid.”
    “Oh.” Tishtry said quietly. It had never occurred to her that Macon might be worried for her, and the discovery of this startled her, making her feel troubled and shamed that she had not realized it before.
    “In time I may change. But for now, Tishtry, don’t ask me to watch you any more than I must.” She turned away before Tishtry could say anything more, and she did not speak again until she was ready for sleep, when she looked at her younger sister. “You are better than Janoun. That’s something.”
    With that thought for consolation, Tishtry fell into a restless sleep that was haunted by dreams of strange places and unexpected accidents.
    * * *
    Chimbue Barantosz toddled over to Tishtry as she came out of the practice arena. “I am pleased with what you are doing, girl,” he announced loudly. He did not look pleased; his face was set in a perpetual frown, and when he spoke, he did not meet her eyes, but stared over her shoulder at some distant point. He was fiddling with the ends of his sash.
    “That is gratifying,” Tishtry said in her most respectful manner as she gathered the traces in her hands. “I must walk my team, Master. They’re sweaty and it will hurt them if they’re allowed to stand this way.”
    “Of course, of course,” he said at once, and fell into step beside her while she led her team toward the stable yard. “I have been speaking to your father about you. We must make plans, you know.”
    There was nothing that Tishtry could correctly say in response, so she remained quiet. She let herself and her team into the cooling area and began the familiar routine of leading her horses while they cooled. It surprised her to find Barantosz keeping step with her.
    “You will be pleased to know that I have registered your ownership of your team, and there will be another copy of the deed for you. That was a wise request. I told Soduz that he has a clever daughter; it is true.”
    “Thank you, Master,” Tishtry said, trying to puzzle out what Barantosz could want of her.
    “And I hear you are improving daily. That is commendable.” He cleared his throat. “There will be Games in Apollonia in April. That is five