| There it went again, jingling...and neighing. Astra went forward, away
from the small encampment to investigate. What she saw was a wagon pulled
by four horses, a carraige filled with many trades-goods, and led by a
large man.
Astra returned to Anina and woke her. After a quick description of the
situation, they both agreed to confront the man and see if they could fenagle
some horses from him. The man had not traveled far down the forest path,
the two women caught up with him easily.
"Hold!" said Anina to the man. The man was clearly surprised by this
and did not stop.
"We mean you no harm, please stop," said Astra.
"Who are you?!!?" said the man warily, without stopping.
"We are two travelers trying to get home," answered Anina. "We would
like to speak with you a moment."
The man looked upon the women whose figures were shaped by the lantern
light coming from his wagon. He did stop, though he held the reigns in
one hand and a half-pike in the other. "What about?" asked the man.
"You look to be a trader," said Anina. "We wish to trade."
The man smiled. "I am much more than a mere trader! I am Mokad the Merchant
and if trading is what you desire, then trading is what you shall get!"
He still held his weapon at the women, but he did seem to relax a tiny
bit.
-
 Let the bartering
begin!
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