Sect Year 3 · second month · day 25 · Azure Stream Sect, the east gate and the horse lines
The horse came up the Qingliu road in the late afternoon with its head down and its flanks going like a bellows. The rider was leaning forward over its neck, one hand knotted in the mane, and when the wardens on the wall called out to him he lifted his other hand without looking up. The gate opened for him. He rode through into the yard and pulled up so hard at the horse lines that the animal skidded on the wet cobbles and nearly went down.
Lin was already walking toward him. He had been at the lines since noon, checking the girths of the mounts the wardens kept for the fords, because it was easier than sitting in the gatehouse waiting for a messenger to arrive. He knew the rider by his seat before he could see his face. It was Osk, a warden from the fords, a long-boned man with a beard full of river grit and a hand bound in clean linen where the reins had raised a blister.
“Fresh horses,” said Osk, sliding off the saddle. His knees gave a little under him, and he caught the saddle horn until they steadied. “Any you’ve got that aren’t going lame. Su says the big bay, if he’s sound.”
