“Yes,” he replies. “It’s a little metal disk attached to a leather collar around her neck with the sign of the Dancing Squirrel on it. So if she runs off again, people will know where to bring her back, or at the very least notify you as to where she was last seen.”
“A good idea,” he says, considering it. “I may just do that.”
“Goodbye Inius,” James says. Then scratches Furball between the ears saying, “You too Furball.”
“We are both very thankful to you. Next time you are in town, you may stay with us free for a few nights,” offers Inius.
“Thank you, I may take you up on that,” he says, then takes the reins from Miko as they once more head down the street to Lufer’s.
The remainder of their trek through Cardri is uneventful and pass through the outer gate without any further delays. Taking a side street through the outlying buildings in the general direction of the river, they find three buildings set together with a corral containing several horses and mules in the back.
“This must be the place,” Miko says.
“What was your first clue?” James jokes as they approach the hitching post by the front door.
“Clue?” Miko asks not understanding.
Amused, James replies, “Never mind.” Securing their horse to the post, the two of them enter through the door to the front office which is currently unoccupied. Voices coming from out back lead them to two men standing near the corral, an older gentleman and a younger one.
“Going to need to procure another dozen by fall,” the elder one says.
“I agree father,” replies the younger and then notices James and Miko emerging from the office. “What can we do for you?” he asks. The older man turns to face the visitors.
“Would one of you be Lufer?” James asks.
The father steps forward slightly to say, “I’m Lufer, how can I help you sirs today?”
“Miss Gilena said that we could get a good horse for my companion,” James explains, gesturing toward Miko.
“What are you going to need the horse for?” Lufer asks. “Travel or farm work.”
“We are heading over to Madoc,” James answers.
“We have many fine horses available and for friends of Miss Gilena we will make sure you get the best we have. Follow me,” he says as he goes over to the corral gate and opens it, allowing James and Miko to enter first.
Closing the gate, he says, “We have a mare here,” he says as he comes to a chestnut colored horse, “she’s three years old and in good physical shape. Very gentle,” he stresses, “not one easily spooked.”
James looks at Miko who doesn’t seem to be too impressed by the mare. He’s got his eyes on a black stallion with eyes that seem to dare anyone to come within striking distance so he could bash in their skull.
“I think the mare will be fine,” James says to Miko’s disappointment. “Look,” James says to him, “that stallion would most likely kill you as not.”
As if the stallion understood what was being said, it stomps its foot and snorts.
Miko still looks longingly at the stallion, but realizes he has no choice in the decision. After all, a horse is a horse.
“Would you be interested in a pack mule as well?” Lufer asks. “If you plan on a long trip, your horses will do better without a lot of extra weight. A pack mule can carry much and they are very tough.”
“How much for both?” he asks, realizing that might not be such a bad idea.
“Sixty five golds for the mare and another twenty five for the mule,” Lufer says.
Miko’s eyes bug out at the cost. “Why so much?” he blurts out.
“With the war going on over in Madoc,” he explains, “there has been an increase in the demand for horses, especially from the Horsemaster up at the Castle. He’s been procuring many in anticipation of war with the Empire.”
“Oh,” says Miko, “that sort of makes sense.”
“Yeah, supply and demand,” James reasons. Then he launches into the haggling for the actual price of the horse and mule. He doesn’t enjoy the process but does seem to be getting the hang of it. He works the price down to eighty golds for both and they go into the office where he counts out the money. Luckily the price also includes a saddle and all the required tack for the horse and mule.
He also buys several days worth of grain and two ponchos for inclement weather. Lufer suggests hoods for the horses so in emergencies they can keep them calm. James agrees and adds three of those to the bill. Once their bags have been repacked onto the mule, they mount up and head out, saying goodbye to Lufer and his son. James has the lead rope for the mule tied to the rear of his saddle where a loop has been attached for just that sort of thing.
Miko is in high spirits, sitting tall in the saddle on his very own horse even if it is a mare. James goes over the various commands with him that he’ll need to use in order to guide the horse. It doesn’t take too long before he has the basics down and is able to control the horse adequately.
Following directions Perrilin had provided, they take the road east out of Cardri, hoping to make Trademeet and the Merchant’s Pass in a little under a week. The day is young and the heat of the summer sun is just beginning to warm the air.
Still being within sight of the city, there are many other travelers on the road, including some caravans that they soon overtake and pass. They make good time and it’s not long before they have left most of the other travelers behind. Once Cardri completely disappears behind them, foot traffic has dwindled to almost nothing.
According to Perrilin, the first main city won’t be for two days, at a crossroads where another main trading route intersects theirs on its way north. The city is called Willimet and they will need to replenish their provisions, especially grain for the animals, before continuing on.
About the time the sun is high overhead, the road makes its way past a small grove of trees several hundred feet off the road. Within the grove they spot a pool of water. They decide to allow the animals time to graze while they partake of the noon meal. Also, the leafy boughs of the trees afford them some shade from the sun and the water is still cool and appears clean.
James dismounts first and lets his horse free to graze by the pond. He watches as Miko slowly dismounts, amused by the stiffness that is already showing in his movements.
Seeing James grinning he asks, “What’s so funny?” as he stiffly walks over to where James is removing the bag containing their lunch from the pack mule.
“Are you sore?” he asks with mock concern. He hands Miko his share of the sack before taking his own.
“You know I am,” he says accusingly as he takes his food. “And it’s not funny.” He sits down and begins to eat.
“I know,” James agrees sympathetically. “I went through the same thing when I first started to ride. In fact, I still get sore, just not as bad.”
“Glad to know it gets better,” Miko says.
“Oh it’ll get worse before it gets better,” James informs him. “It’s just something that will take time for your muscles to grow accustomed to.”
While they eat, they watch as a caravan travels west on its way toward Cardri. James counts twenty seven wagons and an accompaniment of twenty horsemen. They seem to be far enough away from Cardri that the only traffic on the road are the caravans and the occasional rider. All the foot traffic has long since disappeared.
Relaxing against the trunk of a tree, James revels in the peace and tranquility of the area. A gentle breeze, just strong enough to cool yet doesn’t stir up the dust, gently flows through the trees. A full hour they spend in the cool shade until he can no longer put off returning to the road. Repacking the food, he returns it to the pack mule.
He then remounts and watches with some sympathy as Miko slowly and stiffly climbs back into the saddle, remembering his own sore posterior when he had first learned to ride. They make their way back over to the road and turn their horses east toward Willimet.
An hour later the road has become all but devoid of fellow travelers. During one such lonely stretch, Miko notices a solitary rider pacing them several hundred yards off the road to the north. “James,” he says as he brings his horse alongside James’, “there’s someone to the north, pacing us.”
“I know,” he replies. “He’s been there for the last ten minutes.”
