Anna rode the mule up to the gate that led to the pasture where the others were riding horses that had caught their eye, and a man who was standing just inside the pasture walked over and opened it for her. She rode through and looked around, spotting Thokri who was riding with Rose and Barika, and headed over to him.

“So that’s where you were,” Barika said.

“Yeah, I found an old man who worked here and asked him what the best kind of horse for what we were doing was, and he said it was a mule,” Anna replied.

“I wouldn’t call them the best, but they are a good choice though they can be stubborn at times,” Barika said.

Anna shrugged.

“It’ll be fine,” she replied.

Barika laughed.

“I know that, child. I was just letting you know what to expect before you spend any coin,” she said.

“Oh, I already bought him,” Anna said.

Barika gave her a stern look.

“What have I told you about making rash decisions, child?” she replied.

“It wasn’t rash! I asked someone who knew more about horses than I did and took his advice!” Anna said.

“I can assume that the man you asked worked here which means he has a vested interest in selling these animals, so of course he’s going to talk them up to you,” Barika replied.

Anna glanced away, thinking back on her conversation with the old man.

Did he really trick me?

“How much did that critter cost ya, lass?” Thokri asked.

“Twenty silver,” Anna replied.

“Then the lad was square with ya,” Thokri said.

“What makes you say that?” Anna asked.

“If he was trying to take ya for a ride, he’d have tried to sell you one of them,” Thokri replied.

He gestured to where Arthur and his knights were riding powerful-looking steeds with glossy coats and long shiny manes.

“How much are those?” she asked.

“Thirty gold a piece,” Thokri replied.

“That much!” Anna said.

“Aye, even this one costs a few gold,” he replied.

He gave his mount a pat on the neck.

“Damn, that’s twice as much as my old horse cost,” Anna said.

“Everything’s more expensive here, lass,” Thokri replied.

“Oh, right,” Anna said.

Barika let out a long sigh.

“It worked out for you this time, child, but it might not next time, so please try to be careful,” she replied.

“I will, but I could always just take my coin back from someone if I wanted to,” Anna added.

“Yes, child, but an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. It’s better to not let things get that far,” Barika replied.

“Okay,” Anna replied.

They rode over to where Artur and his knights were riding. Lyreen and Voekeer were with them as well.

“I’m surprised you didn’t get one of the miniature ponies,” Lyreen said.

“I’m not that short,” Anna replied.

“Why are you riding a mule, Miss Anna?” Sir Buford asked.

Sir Buford was one of the four knights who had accompanied Prince Arthur and Lord Issac on their quest.

“Because I bought it,” Anna replied.

“I was under the impression we came here to buy horses, and that I’d be paying for them,” Arthur said.

“Well, I bought a mule, and I paid for it, so don’t worry about it,” Anna replied.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Arthur looked at her for a moment, clearly wanting to respond, but then just shook his head clearly wanting to avoid an argument with the stubborn eldritch entity.

“I think we’ve all made our choice by this point, so who’s going to get the love birds?” Arthur asked.

He nodded towards Elaine and Issac who had become inseparable over the last week. Thokri whistled loudly causing the ears of every horse there to twitch. When their wayward companions looked over, Thokri waved for them to join the group. The two of them rode over with Elaine smirking when she looked over at Anna.

“Nice ass,” she said.

“Thanks,” Anna replied.

“Are those mounts to your liking?” Arthur asked.

Elaine and Issac nodded.

“Good, then let’s be off,” Arthur added.

They rode out of the pasture and back to the large building. She got off her mule so that some of the hands could take off the loaner saddle. Lyreen grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside a few moments later.

“We’re taking you to get some pants as soon as we get back to town,” she said.

“Why?” Anna asked.

“Because everyone just saw your ass, and I’m not talking about the mule,” Lyreen replied.

“So?” Anna asked.

“So, you may not care, but the rest of us do!” Lyreen replied.

“Fine,” Anna said.

“Oh, don’t sound so sad. I bet you’ll end up liking them,” Lyreen replied.

“No, I won’t,” Anna said.

“Sure, you will. I mean, pants have pockets, so that means more places for you to stuff treats,” Lyreen replied.

“I never thought of that!” Anna said.

“See, I knew you’d come around. Now, if we could just get you to wear some underclothes,” Lyreen replied.

“Not going to happen,” Anna said.

“I’ll get you properly dressed one of these days,” Lyreen replied.

“No, you won’t,” Anna said.

“Yes, I will,” Lyreen replied.

They started to bicker in a friendly way while the horses had their saddles removed and simple leads replaced their bridles. Once Arthur paid for the others’ horses, they left the farm and headed back to the crossroads town.

The walk back to the town went by quickly. When they reached the town, they found a small stable near their inn and dropped off their mounts, renting stalls for a few days. Lyreen grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the others.

“Come on, I saw a tailor on the way in,” Lyreen said.

Anna nodded, having seen the tailor as well. Lyreen turned to the others for a moment.

“We’ll meet back up at the inn,” she said.

“Try to keep out of trouble,” Barika replied.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Anna asked.

Barika gave her a stern look.

“Alright, I’ll be good,” Anna said.

Barika sighed and then waved them off.

“Go have fun,” she replied.

With that, they walked away from the rest of the party and headed back towards the main street. They walked past a few enclosed wagons that reminded her of the one she’d rescued Rose from all those years ago.

“There’s something really wrong with humans,” Lyreen said.

Lyreen gave the wagons a disgusted look.

“Yeah, and the ones here in the empire are worse,” Anna replied.

“Tell me about it. I swear everywhere I look a see one of those damned collars,” Lyreen said.

“A third of the people here are slaves,” Anna replied.

Lyreen stared at her for a moment.

“That’s a lot,” she said.

“Yeah, it was only about an eighth back in Therondale,” Anna replied.

“I had no idea there were that many,” Lyreen said.

“Yeah, it’s a little harder to tell back home. They don’t wear collars like here as often, so you have to look at their clothes and their hair,” Anna replied.

“I get their clothes, but why their hair?” Lyreen asked.

“It’s always short, men and women, unless they were bought cause they were pretty,” Anna replied.

“Cause they were pretty?” Lyreen asked.

“Like Rose,” Anna replied.

“Oh,” Lyreen said.

They walked in silence for a while, making it back to the main street.

“You know, it’s been a while since it was just the two of us like this,” Lyreen said.

“It has. The last time was when we went to that bakery and got those strudels,” Anna replied.

“Those were so good!” Lyreen said.

“Why don’t we go and get something sweet after the tailor?” Anna asked.

“That would be amazing!” Lyreen replied.

They found their way to the tailor and walked into the shop. An old man sat behind the counter sitting on a stool. He looked up from his work and smiled at them.

“How can I help you ladies today?” he asked.

“My friend needs some riding clothes,” Lyreen replied.

The old man looked her over.

“I suppose such a short dress would be rather inconvenient to wear while riding,” he said.

“It’s not really. She just doesn’t want everyone to see my butt when I get on and off my mule,” Anna replied.

The old man laughed.

“Well, come here girl and let me get your measurements,” he said.

Anna walked behind the counter. The old man picked up a measuring tape and started to take her measurements. Riding clothes were looser than normal attire which meant the that measurements didn’t have to be as exact as a dress, so she was able to keep her clothing on.

He moved quickly, measuring her from top to bottom, lingering on her bust for a bit longer than other parts.

I don’t really blame him. I mean, they are fun to look at.

When he finished, he stood back up and went over to the counter where he got a sheet of paper and a quill.

“Any preferences on color or fabric?” he asked.

“Not really. Just something that hides stains well and is tough,” Anna replied.

The old man wrote something on the paper.

“How many sets would you like?” he asked.

“Three,” Anna replied.

“That will cost thirty-five copper,” the old man said.

“Okay,” Anna replied.

She counted out the coins and placed them on the counter next to the paper.

“When will you need these by?” the old man asked.

“I’m leaving in three days, so anytime before then,” Anna replied.

“Come back the day after tomorrow. I should have them ready by then,” he said.

“See you then,” Anna replied.

She walked out of the tailor’s shop with Lyreen.

“You know, I should probably get some shoes or something. I’d look kind of silly going barefoot in pants,” Anna said.

Lyreen put her hand on Anna’s forehead.

“Are you feeling alright?” she asked.

Anna pushed her friend’s hand away.

“Of course, I am. I can’t get sick, remember?” Anna replied.

“Yeah, I remember, but I also remember how much you whine whenever you have to put anything on your feet, so why are you willing to all a sudden?” Lyreen asked.

“Since we’re traveling with Arthur and his men, I want to act a little more normal,” Anna replied.

“Ah, so that’s it,” Lyreen said.

“Yeah,” Anna replied.

“I didn’t see a shoemaker on the way here, so we should probably head to the market,” Lyreen said.

“I don’t remember seeing one in the market when we were there earlier, but I might have just missed it,” Anna replied.

“If we don’t find one there, we can just explore. This town has to have a shoemaker,” Lyreen said.

“And if we happen to find a place that sells treats on the way, all the better,” Anna replied.

“Exactly,” Lyreen said.

They walked away from the tailor’s shop smiling.