If Valencia could have read the stranger’s mind, she would have been extremely pleased with the first impression she had made. She often forgot how abrupt and authoritative she could come across, for her manners were only her natural habits—they had never been altered. She never worried whether people thought her kind or polite, but her pulsating ego was always immensely flattered by any serious compliments or inferences of her superiority.

Valencia returned the mare a small smile as she spoke, introducing herself as Ravnur and her intentions to join the Vulcans’ ranks. She felt strangely pleased to have another mare joining the sisterhood, despite being such a new member herself. There was strength in numbers. Unfortunately, their current numbers were not large enough to be obvious, which was probably what led to Ravnur’s question.

“No,” she answered with a short, sharp laugh. She had relaxed a little more since learning that the mare was here with good intentions. “I haven’t been here long myself, but there are a few others around.”

She paused, still watching Ravnur carefully with her intent, intelligent gaze. A light breeze tingled along her damp spine and loosened a few extra, glittering droplets from her wet hair.

“Anyway, Ravnur,” Valencia began, supposing again that it was now one of her responsibilities to educate newcomers on the Peak’s systems and rules. “We shall be glad to have you among us. As a Vulcan you will be expected to choose a category to commit yourself to: the thinkers specialise in thievery, the warriors in battle and the politicians in both or neither as well as communications, bargaining and debate. Each category has a leader, but currently Anath, our General, is the only one.”

Pausing again to catch her breath and let that boring but necessary information sink in, Valencia added the final touches before falling silent once more.

“I am one of the politicians. Of course, you don’t have to make your decision immediately, but those are the choices for you to mull over. Any questions?”

tell me your secrets and ask me your questions