Tragic short story about the uprising which overthrew the High King of Havish. A young man pursuing his last redeeming chance and a stalwart horsemaster are the only hope to secure the kingdom's legacy. I loved the contrast of the two unlikely protagonists and the way the facts were related. This short story is surely a boon to get more insight to the motives that led the townborns to resent the charter of Paravian law at the hour of the Mistwraith's invasion, and to better understand the position of Havish in the series' story. Better read after [b:Fugitive Prince|1040472|Fugitive Prince (Wars of Light & Shadow #4; Arc 3 - Alliance of Light, #1)|Janny Wurts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388378643s/1040472.jpg|1026843], where the fate of the kingdom closely intertwines with Arithon's and Lysaer's conflict. ( )

A short story prequel looking at the history of the uprising. The clanborn are desperate to save such royal legacy as they can from the wrath of the disgruntled townfolk. However not all heros are people opf rank and stature, this brief story looks at the decisions a royal groom made as to which horses to send with a request.

As always Janny's writing captures the spirit of people wonderfully whilst invoking the complex landscape and worlds they live in. Although it doesn't really add anything to the backstory in the way that Sundered Star did, this is still a neat little excert of history and the impact even menial roles can have in national events. ( )