Centaur Traders

The men led Astra outside of town, to an old barn. The land was riddled with gullies, and wild grass grew on the dry, chalky soil. This land was poor for farming, but acceptable for grazing. A pair of fat white goats looked up at the newcomer, bleated approvingly, and then set their heads down to nibble at some more of the grass.

Rob fumbled for a key to open a large padlock on the barn. He dropped it in the hay, cursed, and picked it up. He opened the lock, and the barn door creaked open.

Inside were a number of horses, as well as instruments that appeared to be designed to alter the characteristic marks and spots of the horses. Fat Jack led Astra to one of the stalls. He whispered, "Here is is, asleep, but as promised. I don't wanna roust him."

Whatever vices the gang had, they did appear to make an effort to treat the centaur well. A large jug of beer and a trencher with the remains of some apples and barley lay on a small table, as well as an extinguished lamp. On the wall there was a bit, bridle, and saddle. A lyre lay on the hay on the ground.

"Our boy whiles away the time playing that thing," Rob observed. "He's top quality. Be worth every penny."

Although she dismissed this as salesman's puffing, she did agree the physical quality of both the human and the stallion parts of the centaur were high. Unfortunately, she did not remember the Snark giving her details to distinguish Horace from other centaurs. She thought that centaurs would be rare enough that just finding a centaur would be enough. "What's his name?" Astra asked.

Fat Jack hemmed and hawed. He finally replied, "We, uh, never asked that. I am sure that you would want to name him something else, anyway."

Astra thought for a second about how to react.

1. Astra attempts to put the bracelet on the centaur's hoof, and tighten it to take him back in time.
2. Astra tries to wake the centaur.
3. Astra shows interest in the centaur, but starts to ask questions.

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