Queen of the Black Coast

Hoofs drummed down the street that sloped to the wharfs. The folk that yelled and scattered had only a fleeting glimpse of a mailed figure on a black stallion, a wide scarlet cloak flowing out on the wind.

• Far up the street came the shout and clatter of pursuit, but the horseman did not look back.
• He swept out onto the wharfs and jerked the plunging stallion back on its haunches at the very lip of the pier.