Princess Sofya looked at Mei Meili with interest. "Since you're so confident in your riding and shooting, and bravely rejecting the feminine virtues Miss Mei," shot Princess Sofya, "care for a little competition?"
"Perfect! I'd love nothing more," said Meili archly.
"Err Miss Mei, I'm not sure that's a good idea," warned Bai Li. "Princess Sofya grew up on horseback."
"As did I, Commander Bai. Don't presume to know me from one snowstorm," she rolled her eyes at him.
He gave up. There was no talking to this little minx today.
Princess Sofya strode off in her pretty grasslands boots and returned with a stunning white pony, complete with a brightly coloured Mongolian saddle.
Of course she would have a handsome white horse to finish the perfect exotic picture, thought Meili sulkily. She must come from the Darkhad tribe, who preferred white and grey horses.
"This is White Horse," she introduced him.