I looked the man in the eye and spoke to him directly. “True indeed, Master Laes. I fear that these monstrous frogs, these Sandgorgers, present a threat that must be dealt with. I would volunteer, if you would allow me, to ride ahead and deal with this menace. I wish to exterminate as many of them as I can. For the good of all, of course.”
“Truly, you are a strange man. But I would not begrudge you this… request, as it would be of direct benefit to me. What would you wish in exchange? Know that I can not afford to pay you anymore. Not if I wish to turn a profit at any rate from this trip,” he sighed, looking a little worn.
“Nothing at all. Cordelia preaches of charity and I have taken a little of her words to heart. I am already in your employ, am I not? Consider this as just me taking up a little initiative.”
The man seemed to have reached a decision as he straightened up and said firmly, “Very well, Gilgamesh. Though truly, I cannot fathom your motive, I feel that you should do as you wish. I see no negatives for the Ravens, and the fewer Sandgorgers along the Green Road, the better for all. Still, I would just ask that you try and stay safe and not underestimate the creatures of the Waste. Old Hamsa would reprimand me mightily if anything were to happen to you. Also, I fear you have yet to see what other manner of beasts make the bleach bone sands their home.”
“If we might also borrow some horses… for I intend to go with my entourage,” I thought to add.
“Yes, of course. Speak to Beastmaster Abas about that tomorrow. I will have a word with him myself. He too sings your praises, did you know? Please remember that horses are expensive. Abas believes the animals of this train to be almost family to him. Also, I fear that we have no mount suitable for your… larger companion… the North man,” the caravan master finished with a long-suffering sigh, as if it were him doing me a favor.
Stolen novel; please report.
*****
The next day we found an Abas Yar much recovered now from his ailments. The Beastmaster was more than accommodating when we found him in the early hours of the morning. Straighter of back, firmer of grip, and keener of eye was the old man, with none of the racking coughs that had plagued him. Bowing to me reverently, he found horses and tack for all of my party. Larynda, however, declared that she would be riding on Patches, causing the donkey to bray enthusiastically, as if in agreement.
The question of Kidu was another matter, for the man was much too large for any of the available horses. He would simply break their backs. The Hunter offered to run, but it was Abas who solved our predicament.
The Beastmaster suggested that his nephew, Pakum, should come with us, with one of the train’s Xaruar. The boy would take the reins of the land dragon and Kidu would sit behind him. I pitied the pair, for the bone armor plates of the creature’s back did not look like the most comfortable of seats. This arrangement, as well as preventing the giant of a man from exhausting himself keeping pace with the horses, would also allow us to carry more baggage. The beast itself, Buttercup, a large male who had been hatched by Pakum, would also intimidate some of the lesser creatures of the Wastes—or at least, so I was told.
Pakum himself was a slip of a youth. I was told that he had seen sixteen summers, and he stood tall for his age, his short chestnut hair mirroring the hue of his eyes. However, the boy's slender form was plagued by the awkwardness of limbs still adjusting to their burgeoning growth. Added to this, his face was, in the manner of many adolescents, a map of the unwelcome encroachment of acne.
Once he heard that we were ranging out to clear the way of Sandgorgers, Paku busied himself in preparation. He gathered wooden torches for our journey and armed himself with a modest sling, a spear, and a light mail shirt.
The boy had none of the callow attitude so common among those of his age; he was quiet, respectful and, more importantly, knowledgeable and competent. Pakum seemed to have a strong bond with the animals, and the large lizard and horses responded well to the boy’s commands. From my initial impression, I surmised that he would be a welcome addition to our forays.
Preparation complete, we set off to kill as many of the creatures as possible.