53 Afoot in the Woods (1/2)
They set out the next morning, bring with them no more than a tenth part of what SmithGuild suggested.Phyllis had improvised some saddlebags for Jen to carry food and blankets as they would need to camp at least one night on the way.Also on one side was a carefully wrapped seedling of the stripeflower tree. The sapling bobbing its few small branches with each step.
A chirruping Jasper phoenix led the way, apparently functioning as SmithGuilds GPS unit.Phyllis the dragon ambled behind, her wide nostrils scenting the air and her large wings flexed untidily back. Reg and BugleHead followed, taking turns carrying the unicorn horn which now had a bright ribbon tied to one end which fluttered jauntily in the wind.
Then came Jen and SmithGuild with one hand resting on the saddlebags in what seemed like both a companionable gesture and a way to give him better balance,
”It was not so unusual for men to ride sidesaddle,” Jen was saying.”Some did so to train lady's mounts or to carried equipment like a cable-laying spool.”
”I think it will suffice for me to use my own limbs.Such as they are,” SmithGuild replied.
Nelda was following with HoneyBeard by her side. Tyrone brought up the rear as with wide wyrm body undulated from side to side to make surprisingly efficient forward progress.
HoneyBeard commented in sotto voice.”Ponygirl is gonna steal your boyfriend.”
Nelda shrugged. She was turning the blade of her dagger in the sunlight.There did seem to be some kind of lettering on it, but was it in English? [ST???G??? SLA??R]
The script was rendered in shallow loops and curves.[My mother did tell me I should learn cursive writing.She had utter contempt for the entire education system went o hell the moment they dropped it.I can probably credit my perseverance in getting a graduate degree out of a desire to spite her. So I guess I can't say she never did anything for me.]
”Are you not inclined to keep him?” Honeybeard said. ”because he is not inclined to use all of his limbs.” The satyr raised his bushy eyebrows suggestively.
Tyrone sniggered behind them.
”What? No. Shut up,” Nelda slapped his arm gently.”I am not that shallow.” She went back to considering the dagger.[S?ON?GA?? SLA??R.]Ah, the letter that appeared a number of times was a strangely formed letter E. [Holy Pat Sajdak, did I just buy a vowel?]
HoneyBeard persisted. ”It is not shallow to value fornication.It is a primary occupation for most every race.”
”It depends on one's priorities,” Nelda replied tersely knowing that it was possible some of the party ahead could hear them. Who knows what centaurs can hear.
[STONEGAZE SLAYER. What would that mean?It is the slayer belonging to stone-gaze.Does it slays with a stone-gaze?But it has no eyes….]
”HoneyBeard, what kinds of beasts can turn a person to stone, like by looking at them?”
”Changing the topic are you?”
”Perhaps you'd rather talk about your trip to Harpy Island.From what BugleHead says you made a new fr—”