The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [145]
In the morning after breakfast, James and Miko say their goodbyes and head down the road.
Chapter Twenty
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James and Miko make good time as the terrain continues to be primarily flat plains. After the first hour, the land becomes increasingly more cultivated, with the occasional farms and orchards lining the road. Farmers are out in the fields working their crops, some wave a friendly greeting to them as they pass, though most simply ignore them.
A little before midday, a town of some size appears out of the horizon further down the road. As they continue toward it, James spies an orchard of fruit trees abutting the road ahead. A family of three generations is working hard harvesting its fruit, baskets already filled with the reddish-yellow fruit are stacked on a nearby mule drawn wagon. James slows and leaves the road to approach them.
As he nears, the family quickly takes notice of his approach but continues to gather their fruit, except for an older gentleman who must be the farmer’s father, that walks over to greet him.
“Good day to you sirs,” the old man says in a friendly manner.
“A good day to you too,” James replies. “I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the town that is up the road,” he asks pointing to the town on the horizon.
“That is Lornigan,” the man explains, “the agricultural center for this area.” He eyes James and Miko warily but relaxes somewhat when all they seem to want is information. The family behind him, though they cast repeated glances their way, continues harvesting.
“Lornigan?” questions James. When the old man nods, he says, “Thank you.”
“Any time good sirs.”
“I don’t suppose you would part with some of your fruit?” James asks. “Maybe just four or five?”
The man’s face broadens into a smile and he says, “Of course sir, it’ll be only a copper.” While James digs a copper out of his pouch, the man goes over to the wagon and picks out six of the fruits. He then brings them back to James and hands them over as he takes the copper.
“Six?” James asks. “I only wanted five.”
“I know” the farmer said, “but six is what a copper is worth and I wouldn’t want to cheat you.” He gave James a wink, “Besides, since there is but the two of you, six is easier to divvy up than five.”
“I appreciate that,” James says as he gives three of the fruits over to Miko. Eyeing the fruit longingly, he says, “And thank you for allowing us to purchase them from you.”
“No trouble at all sir,” the man assures him. “Actually it happens quite often. There are many travelers on the road to Lornigan, it’s the last large town before the long road to Trademeet.”
“Would you know of a place in Lornigan where we could get a bite to eat?” James asks.
“Sure,” the man replies, “try the Grinning Specter.” When he sees the look on Miko’s face at the name, the man continues. “Don’t let the name bother you boy, there’s nothing scary about it. The food there is good and fairly priced. You’ll find it along the road a little after you enter the town. Look for the sign with the smiling ghost.”
“Thank you, we’ll do that,” James says appreciatively. “You have a good day,” he says as he begins turning his horse back toward the road.
“You too, sir,” Hemdal replies before returning to aid with the harvesting.
Finishing his first fruit, Miko says, “Thanks for the fruit.”
Smiling, James says, “No problem, fresh fruit is at times hard to come by. Besides, you never know what you are going to find out by talking to the locals.” He takes a bite out of one and enjoys the sweet firm flesh of the fruit.