Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [193]
Miko sees him coming and meets him halfway with a small sack in his hands. Reaching in, he pulls out a tart and with a grin offers it to James.
Taking it, he asks, “Where’d you get these?”
“Back in Lythylla,” he replies. Taking out another, he begins eating it. “They’re a bit stale now.”
Taking a bite, James agrees. “But still good. Thank you Miko.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, pleased to have made his friend happy.
Late afternoon the following day, they spy Fairview on the horizon. An hour after that, Captain Hawls settles his ship against the dock. Two of his crew tosses the guide ropes to waiting dockhands who secure them to the dock.
When the ship has come to a stop and the gangplank has been secured in place, James comes to Captain Hawls and says, “We appreciate the ride, captain.”
“Anytime, James,” he replies. “I still owe you for getting me out of that jail. If you’re ever in these parts and need a ride, just let me know.”
“I will, thank you,” he says to him.
Illan leads them off the gangplank and says, “There’s a horse trader not too far from here.”
“Perfect,” says James. “Lead on.”
They follow Illan down the streets until they come to a large corral containing dozens of horses. A large, rambling building curves around one side, and that’s where Illan leads them.
Before they get to the building, a man is seen in the corral as he puts a horse through its paces. He holds the tether in one hand as he has the horse run around in a circle.
Illan stops them at the edge of the corral just as the man takes notice of them. The man walks with the horse over to the side of corral and asks, “Can I help you gentlemen?”
“We’re looking to purchase ten horses,” explains Illan.
The man’s face lights up when he hears that. Gesturing to the horses within the corral, he says, “We have many horses here, I’m sure we can find ones to fit your need.”
“It looks like it,” agrees James. “How much for ten?”
“You can have your pick for seven hundred,” the man replies.
James looks to Illan who shakes his head negatively, indicating he doesn’t have that much. Letting Illan do the haggling, James casts his gaze out over the corralled horses, he can see many fine animals there.
Illan works the man down to six hundred and twenty two, which is only five gold pieces less than what they have. Fortunately, the price also includes saddles and all the gear they’ll need.
They move into the building, where they empty the bags of gold they received from the sale of their other horses onto a table. Everyone also had to empty their own pouches in order to come up with the required sum.
Once the gold had been counted, they return to the corral where ten horses are rounded up. Sterrin, the horse trader, has his apprentices saddle the horses for them while they wait.
“Is Dragon’s Pass still in friendly hands?” Illan asks the horse trader.
Nodding, he replies, “Last I heard. There have been incursions of the Empire’s men in the area when they can sneak past our patrols. Mostly, though, it’s safe.”
“Good,” states Uther. “Hope it stays that way.”
“Me too,” Hinney adds.
“How far is it to the Dragon’s Pass?” James asks Sterrin.
“About two days,” he tells him.
One of the apprentices comes and informs them the horses are ready. Once everyone is mounted, they wave goodbye to Sterrin and his apprentices before they leave the corral area.
“Better get some rations before we head out,” Illan tells them as he pulls up outside of a shop that deals in travel supplies. He takes Uther, Jorry and the rest of their money into the shop while everyone else waits outside on their horses. They return shortly with several pouches bulging with food and secure them behind their saddles.
After they get back in the saddle, Illan leads them westward along the road out of town. “If we follow this road,” he explains to them, “it will take us directly to Dragon’s Pass. And from there, I think it’s perhaps