“With a scroll and a book you will look like a scholar." she said "On that horse you will look like a king."
"I might have to be a king. I don't have to look like one."
(...)
"I picked out the horse," said Sounis hastily and the king turned to him swaying a little as if with surprise.
"You Sophos? I thought you were my friend!"
"I am," the king of Sounis assured him. "He has all the fighting spirit of an apricot. His trainers have given up and sold him for farm work. Honestly, like riding a slowly moving sofa," Sounis swore. "On my honor.”