Sam pulled up his new updated map. It was zoomed out to show a topographical view of the entire county, which was named Emmerson. Carson Bridge, Bar-T Ranch, and Santa Rio were the only locations that were marked. The view zoomed in on Carson Bridge with a thought. A bird's eye view showed the layout of the town. It was bigger than he thought. The main road led from the train station straight to the bank then split off at a T-junction, which he knew. With the map now he could see the road to the stretched for a few more buildings before splitting off into a four way intersection. The road continued on out of town with the crossroad marking the transition from the town proper to tightly packed shacks that were broken up with the occasional tent.

The road to the right that led to Jacksons Rest continued on to Bar-T Ranch. Only the buildings he had identified were marked on the map. There were a few along the road just outside the inn that he hadn't had time to take a look at.

"I'll show you to your room," Hank said.

The dwarf led him up the stairs to a hallway that was lined with doors.

"The bath is at the end of the hall," he explained. "It's got a hand pump to bring the water up from outside. If you want it warm you have to heat it up and dump it in. Good news, you don't have to go outside in the middle of the night for the outhouse."

"That is good news," Sam said.

"Visitors are to be out at sundown," Hank said. "No trouble, fighting, or professionals; if you take my meaning. The Sunrise Saloon down the road takes care of those services. Don't mind if you have a drink, but don't get rowdy. You'll pay for damages and Margie don't take kindly to that sort of thing."

The dwarf stopped at the second door. He unlocked the room and handed Sam the key.

"Pay me at the desk once you settle in," the dwarf said.

The room was nice, if a little simple. There was a bed, table and chair, and a wardrobe. It was lit by a hanging lantern that gave off a gentle blue glow.

* Respawn Location Updated – Jacksons Rest Room 2

"I don't really have anything to settle in with," Sam'uel said. "I do have a question."

"I'll do my best to answer," Hank said.

"Why is this called Carson Bridge?" He asked.

Hank smiled.

"Noticed a lack of a bridge, eh?" The dwarf said. "The town was founded by two families. Carson got here first with Bridge following shortly behind. They built up the town, brought in the merchants, and helped get things settled."

Sam'uel watched the dwarf head back toward the stairs.

"Hank," he called.

The dwarf turned around to face him.

"Do you who I could talk to about some work?" Sam asked. "I like to keep busy."

"Actually," the dwarf said. "I have a delivery to Bar-T Ranch that. Take it out there and I'm sure they'll have something for you too."

* Quest Started: Delivery to Bar-T

* Deliver the Package to Bar-T

* Reward: +20 Reputation with Hank and Margie Jackson

"I would be happy to," Sam said. "But I don't have a horse."

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Why would you have a horse?" The dwarf asked. "I can lend you a raptor for the trip. Cost you a hundred dollars. You'll get twenty back when you return."

"Did you say a raptor?" Sam'uel asked. "Do you mean something like a dinosaur?"

"I guess you Wood Elves don't need to worry about a dry climate," Hank said. "Still don't see how a horse would work out for you."

Sam counted out a hundred and fifty dollars.

"Here, one hundred for the raptor and fifty to rent the room for ten days," Sam'uel said.

Hank pocketed the money.

"Come on," he said. "I'll introduce you to the clutch."

The dwarf led him back down stairs and out the back of the inn. While the air outside on the street had been dry and warm, behind the inn was humid. They had stepped into an enclosure constructed from a collection of branch, leaves, and what appeared to be tufts of feathers.

"Stay there," Hank said. "Dagr will want to look you over."

A feathered dinosaur emerged from a nook in the enclosure. It stood on two legs that ended in clawed feet. Instead of a beak it had the face of a dragon. A thick patch of feathers cloaked where its arms met its body. Each had had two long fingers and a thumb, for lack of a better word, that sported a deadly set of claws. The shades of brown and gold blended perfectly with the nest around it. It stood a good foot taller than Sam. A spark of intelligence flashed in its eyes.

"This is Dagr," Hank said. "He's the prime male."

"Is he the one I'll be riding?" Sam asked.

Hank laughed.

"No," the dwarf replied.

The dwarf stepped closer to the raptor and patted its neck. Dagr leaned in to accept the affection.

"He's my pride and joy," Hank said. "He comes from a long line of royal raptors. His life is one of luxury and he knows he's a handsome boy."

Dagr chirred in reply to the praise. The raptor turned its attention to Sam. It stepped closer, sniffing at him. Dagr huffed before turning back to Hank.

"Looks like you pass," Hank said. "Here they come."

Another half a dozen raptors emerged from the nest around them. Dagr wasn't the largest, with most of the others easily half a foot taller. He did have the brightest feathers of the bunch. The smallest of the bunch had ash gray feathers and stayed toward the edge of the open area.

"Kai," Hank called.

A raptor with muted gold feathers stepped up. It was a little bigger than Dagr.

"This is Kai," Hank said. "She's a good girl, gentle and patient. Step up and introduce yourself."

Sam looked from the dwarf to the raptor. Kai appraised him with a critical eye. He took a slow step forward.

"Hello," Sam'uel said. "I'm Sam. It's nice to meet you."

Kai stared at him.

"I was hoping to ride you out on an errand and back," Sam continued.

Kai perked up at that. The others chirped and chittered.

"Now you've done it," Hank said.

"What?" Sam asked.

"I'm going to have to take them all out for a run or I won't hear the end of it," Hank muttered.

Kai stepped up to the elf. She puffed her feathers. Sam didn't get the feeling that she was trying to be aggressive, more that she was showing off for the others. Kai stopped in front of him. She lowered her head slightly and bumped him in the chest with the bridge of her nose.

"She likes you," Hank said. "Scratch under her and you'll have a friend for life. I'll lead her around out front. Tell Margie you need a couple of nibbles."

The entire clutch perked up at the word. Dagr led a chorus of trilling and chirps as they closed in on Hank.

"Be quick," Hank said. The dwarf laughed as the little ones nipped at his chest. "She'll give you the package too."

Sam'uel couldn't help but smile. The raptors were content to pester Hank even though they could have easily overpowered him and turned them both into a meal. Sam headed back inside.

Margie was waiting at a side door once he was back. He could see a kitchen behind her. In one hand she held a loose bundle of butchers' paper and in the other she had a satchel. The dwarf woman stared hard at him.

"You take care of my baby," Margie said.

"Yes ma'am," Sam'uel replied.

He slid the satchel over a shoulder and tucked the bundle of butchers' paper under an arm. Kai and Hank were already waiting for him out front. The raptor squawked when she saw the bundle. She wore a normal looking saddle and a harness along her head. Her mouth wasn't blocked which put her teeth on full display.

Sam untied the bundle to expose four cuts of meat. Kai hopped forward. She snatched all four of them from his hand and gobbled them down. The paper was still intact.

"Kai," Hank scolded. "Chew your food."

Kai chirped in reply. She settled lower to allow access to the saddle.

"Bar-T Ranch," the dwarf said. "You know the way. Behave." Hank looked up to Sam. "She'll take you there and get you back. Trust her to know what she's doing. If she's acting strange, something is wrong."

"Thank you," Sam'uel said. "I would say that I'll take care of her, but I think I'd just slow her down."

Hank nodded. The dwarf watched as Kai stood. She shifted a bit to get the saddle adjusted. After a moment she took off heading down the road and out of town.