An Excerpt From Lord Markand’s Histories Of Magick and Strange Events.

Philip and Ian spent the evening pleasantly trading stories with the lumbermen. They did not drink too much. Philip was miserly and Ian wisely avoided a hard morning that would involve the Headman. The highlight of the evening was Ian’s success at the dice. One of the men, Jan Wood, lost an entire silver to Ian. He was offered it back if some of the men would help safely explore the woods for signs of Dragons.

Three of the men were willing and refreshingly pleasant about it. They were usually a bit short with Philip. Jan and Brin Woods and Han Pryn all volunteered to join the hunt. This would be an easy time for them since they spent most of their time in the woods nearby anyway. In this case, they could avoid the fatigue of sharpening and swinging axes all day. Ian swore them to a silver each.

Philip told the Lumbermen to ask the Smith for spears on the Headsman’s order, he knew his Father well enough that this would not be an issue and the Smith kept spearheads and staves on hand in any case. Jacob Smith did good business with the lumbermen and guarding their safety would likely be at no cost.

Ian and Philip bid goodnight to Margie and the men and left the inn. They stood with the black horse for a while to let him graze on fresh grass. The Black giant dwarfed most of the cranky ponies in town and he was so gentle he would need no lead rope. Philip learned his name was Gus and they spent a nice hour tsk-ing Gus around the tall grass of the yards and brushing the animal. They listened for sounds in the woods and watched Gus swivel his ears. A few wolves traded howls and something Philip thought was wild pigs made noise far away. The sound of the pigs was a crack of small branches and some squeals that seemed to carry over the water. The shallow and wide river ran through the town next to a short rocky ridge but not so close to the Public house. Sounds of insects and frogs made appearances as well and seemed to trade time with owls.

After an hour of this meditation, the two men together pulled a bucket from the well and introduced Gus to his stall with a flake of hay and water. Ian remarked, “This hay is first quality, Gus will be spoiled.” Gus ate it with obvious relish and Ian removed his tack.

Philip was surprised that Ian’s words seemed to shock the harmony that they brought to the barn in the night sounds. The lantern and closeness of the barn combined with the sounds and smells of the warm animals. Philip now noticed the absence of that calm in the barn. Philip cleared his throat and answered, “We would send a barge but there are rapids now between here and Crosstown. We would need to pay for a horse barge to Markand’s Seat. That would be a lot of work and a lot of money to trust that it doesn’t rain and get hay moldy.”

Ian opened his eyes wide and simply said, “True.” The munching horse took charge of the perceptions in the barn again before Ian said, “I suppose you could trade some of the hay to the Ferry.”

Philip nodded with consideration, “That’s a good idea. Might make sense to clear the river.

Ian nodded and pet Gus for a final time, “We can talk about this in the morning with the Headman.

Philip asked, “You can sleep here or in front of my kitchen fire, Roy might let you sleep at the Public House. Risky game to wake him though.”

Ian answered, “ I think I will sleep here in the barn. I’ll trade you a candle to borrow the lantern you have though.” He dug into a saddle bag and pulled out a box with several candles, handing one to Philip.

Philip lit the candle and passed Ian the lantern. “Goodnight.” Philip pointed across the yard, “That is my house just come get me if you need anything.”

Ian picked up a bucket and started for the well and said, “I have what I need. Thank you, Philip, see you in the morning.”

Philip waved and passed to his house. He lit a fire in the hearth with his candle and laid down on his bed. He listened to the sounds of the fire and tried to decide what his Father would say in the morning. He decided that the Headman would be obligated to help the Lord’s man. Philip moved to think about the best way to go through the forest to find a dragon. The dragon’s were poor fodder for a sleeping mind and he moved to greener pastures of Tam Eckerd’s womanly virtues and how they compared to Margie’s. Margie would call him a pig.