CHAPTER ONE
I saw the girl immediately upon cresting the low hill. The tall purple grass swayed against the soft breeze of the Torshi plains, whipping the trembling legs of my mount. The talio I'd been riding was exhausted from the long, unbroken days of riding. It was the fastest stallion in my father's stables. High—pitched scream of hopeless terror brought on my instant burst of speed as I had directed the mount up the grassy hill. Even in enemy territory a man of Hamton will honor a female's cry for help.
There was no time to consider the mission, the Spacers or my people—who now shifted to second moon. The scene before me was of horrid beauty: a startling and vivid statement of hopeless bravery.