The Village of Pranow / Pt. 5

circa 300 n.t.
Dannaar, Ero'ia

Lleu Danson opened a saddlebag and tucked an extra water canteen into its large pocket. As he re-tied the straps, Walder exited the aging house behind him. He was followed by Marny, their recent hostess.

Walder was in the process of finishing a story, which did not surprise Lleu. He had come to the conclusion shortly after meeting the stocky man that storytelling was one of his favorite pastimes.

Walder and Marny began laughing. The deep base of Walder's laugh echoed off the walls on either side of the muddy road.

"Where is Povl?" asked Lleu, anxious to get moving.

Povl came through the doorway just then. "I'm here. I'm ready." He slung a pack of his personal belongings over his shoulder. "Where is our guide?"

Lleu noted the quiver in Povl's voice, but it was Walder who asked gruffly, "What's got you all jittery this morning?"

"Jittery? Me?" Povl laughed in spite of himself. He left Marny's steps and took the reigns of his horse from the stable boy.

"I know what it is," the boy commented, "he's scared of going into the Hon-abrels today."

"Do me a favor," Povl snapped, "and keep your opinions to yourself."

The boy seemed unoffended. "Well you better get your nerves settled soon; otherwise you could make your mare skittish. And the last thing you'll want in those mountains is a skittish horse."

"Right," Walder added, "she'll buck you off just as some monster is comin' at us. And i'm sorry, my friend, but at that point I'll be heading the opposite direction. I'd sooner let you be eaten than give anything a chance to get a taste of my-"

Lleu interjected, "Enough! This kind of talk is not benefiting us." He grabbed hold of his saddle and swung himself up onto his horse. He looked back at Povl. "Everything is going to be just fine. The Hon-abrel Mountains are just that, mountains. Same goes for the myths and lore that come from them."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that-" the boy began again, but promptly stopped when he saw the warning look on Lleu's face.

Povl mounted up, and then pointed up the road between the rows of villagers' homes. "Is that our guide?"

Lleu turned to see Garst trotting toward them on a roan stallion with a thick mane. A bow and quiver were slung over his shoulder, and a short, but wide-bladed sword dangled at his side. Close behind him followed two pack mules.

Lleu was noticing the absence of the large feline when she suddenly appeared in his view, having been hidden behind the mules. She made two long bounds, bringing her quickly along side the roan, which seemed surprisingly comfortable with her presence.

"Uldon's Hammer," Walder exclaimed as he tried to keep a hold of his now-unsettled horse. "What is that unnatural terror?"

As Lleu and Povl attempted to settle their own steeds, Lleu managed to respond, "That, unbelievably, is his pet."

Garst reigned in before them and nodded to Lleu.

"Mother's mercy, man!" Walder pointed at the creature. "There are children in this village!"

Garst looked down on Walder, regarding him with impatience.

Walder grumbled to himself as he removed a heavy double-bladed axe from under one of his saddlebags. "Guess I'll be keeping this close," he muttered.

Garst raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know how to use that?"

"Do I know how to use this?" Walder sounded offended. He thumped his chest once. "I served as a footman in the King's Army for four years, I'll have you know."

"Hmm," Garst was unimpressed. He looked back at Lleu. "Is this everyone then?"

"Yes," Lleu replied. He indicated Povl behind him. "This is Povl Flannr," he then nodded toward Walder, who was finally climbing on top of his horse, "and that is Walder Hagen."

Povl moved his mare alongside Garst and offered to shake hands. But instead of returning the offer, Garst just placed the reigns of the pack mules into Povl's open hand.

"You're now in charge of these stubborn animals." He turned his roan about and nudged him into a trot. He shouted over his shoulder, "Keep a tight hand on them, they tend to wander."

Povl looked over at Lleu in irritation. "He's the best you could come up with?"

"There wasn't much of a selection," Lleu responded, then kicked his horse to follow after Garst.

Walder expressed his gratitude for Marny's hospitality, then he and Povl kicked their steeds into gallops.