They had decided to take the stirrups and fenders off the saddle to lighten the load a few pounds.Little Eli quickly looked around at all the other en...trants in the first race. The riders rode their mounts in circles, keeping them loose and alert. He counted eight horses but wasn’t sure about two of the smaller horses that were riding beside two of the more finicky thoroughbreds.Sure enough, when the announcer asked the riders to bring the horses past the stands so the spectators could get one. They killed my parents and tried to give me to Sarrone in the place of their chosen girl. Sarrone saved the girl and me and she was still willing to give herself to him but she had someone there that wanted her so Sarrone released her. Later he found another way that he could protect the village. He was away at the village because raiders were attacking. Your brother arranged it so that he could try and take me away. I had fallen in love with Sarrone and he's in love with me. Your brother came,. She was more than a little overweight, and from the back, incoveralls, she had looked like a man, a bit, but River realized nowthat there was too much hip for a man. Her face was round andcheerful, and definitely female. She spoke with a voice that was deepfor a woman, but nothing like that of a man."Kyle," she said. "Who ... oh, it is the rivertalker, and Liesl.Welcome to our little shop. I can't talk much now. I have to keepthis bead going. Have Kyle show you around, and I'll get to you whenI. You were given a morning after drug to ensure that you are not pregnant and some antibiotics. Also blood tests were done to check for any STDs. The doctors and police think that you should stay overnight and they want to interview you more. I told them that I wantedto take you home. So tell me what you want to do?”Still being held and crying, but more softly now, I managed. “Please take me from here.”Several hours later, papers were signed and I was dressed in some clothes that Aunt Susan had.