“Do not look so astonished, Aleran,” Kitai said. “It was not difficult to anticipate what kind of strategy you would favor. You have something of a history of successfully negotiating with your enemies. Even making friends of them.” Her green eyes sparkled. “In some cases, very close friends.” Tavi shook his head. “You used me.” “Yes.” “You used me,” Tavi said. Her smile widened. “And it worked. You are a marvelous stalking cow.” “Horse,” Tavi corrected wearily. “Stalking horse.” Kitai tilted her head. “What idiot would so endanger a perfectly good horse?”
