Harold Lamb was an author who wrote adventure and historical fiction for the pulps, but anyone who likes Swords & Sorcery would probably like them, so I'm hoping someone here can help.
The story I'm trying to identify:
- Main character is a warrior
- Meets a young woman who is the slave of an evil warlord
- Her motivations are unclear (is she an ally or working for warlord?)
- There is a horse race with contestants from all over
- The warrior follows her instructions during the race, and inadvertently helps her escape with a contestant who is from her people (possibly Khyrgyz or Khazak)
Michael Chabon's "Gentlemen of the Road" was listed as being inspired by this author.