rone | e&tg 36 (Reply)

I chuckled. "For a few years. We grow out of it. I suspect you will, too."

"Perhaps." He looked at his left claw and flexed it. "Anyhow, well, if i am not truly bonded to you, i am still committed to sharing your fate as your mount, but not as your servant."

I nodded. "I would like nothing better. I don't want to be excessively sentimental, but it seems inescapable that finding you outside Teraad's castle was the best thing that has happened to me recently, if not in my entire life. These last few days have been fun and rewarding, even if i had been unable to understand you until now."

"I also feel that way, if not more so. You ended a life of servitude. I owe you my allegiance."

I shook my head. "I did not intend to free you. You owe me nothing. But i welcome what you would give me."

He nodded. "And i welcome what you would give me." He sighed. "So. We shall be doing a favor for the small one soon, yes?"

I nodded. "That would seem to be the case. Let's go find him." I grabbed the satchel and we walked out of the shed towards the small clearing where we first found Néfilo. He was collecting leftover materiel. He looked up and said, "Ah, so yar done?"

I nodded. "Here you go." I pulled the arches out of my ears and handed them to him. "I don't suppose you'd know where i can find someone who can make a saddle for Kohasadi."

"Not much a riding fan, biggun. Try the stables at the Constabulary Yard. If they can't do it, they'll know someone who can." He pointed at the satchel. "Don't take too long, eh? Some a that is already weeks overdue."

I snorted and shrugged. "Sure thing. Good look with the Mafia."

"Ha! Those pinheads ha'better not come pestering me again, or i'll set the ankhegs on `em."

I goggled at him. "You have ankhegs in here??"

"A course i do! Ya got a better way t'mix up and aerate the soil?"

"I, ah, suppose i don't." I tried to smile through my amazement. "I'll head back here once i'm done, yes?"

He picked up all of his gear and stood up. "That'll do, biggun. I'll talk to you later." He nodded at Kohasadi and walked off towards the shed.

I looked at Kohasadi and said, "Let's see if we can get you saddled."