Morning found the trio up well before the sun, loading their gear into the wagon which was hitched up to Maybell. Her tail twitching in excitement. Her ears perked up, her coat glistened in the lamplight. The bells on her harness chimed merrily as she tossed her head from side to side. As they were loading a small chest full of coins into the hidden compartment under the bench, she stamped her front hooves in impatience. Sergei giving her harness a last thorough once over before climbing up onto the seat. Gathering the reins, he snapped them with a flick of his wrist.
Maybell threw her head back and down twice before starting to walk out of the yard hauling the wagon and its passengers away from their home. Her gait, steady and sure with nary a falter. The reins in Sergei’s hands were slack, it appeared that Maybell knew exactly where she was going. Every time there was a choice of which road to take, she would make the choice without any guidance from the reins. They travelled down the mountain at a steady pace, the road meandering back and forth with a switchback every once in a while, to indicate that the farmstead was farther up the mountain than initially registered in the minds of the travellers. Sebastian, having never travelled by road before was astonished at how long it took to descend from the farmstead to the small hamlet in the valley.
The trip down the mountain taking most of the day. There were places along the road that had been wiped out due to the avalanche, so had to be painstakingly rebuilt. It was nice when some of the work could be accomplished using finite amounts of magic, the only problem with that was that in time the magic would wear away.
By the time they reached the valley floor. they were happy to see the hamlet and its accompanying inn. One thing about the hamlet was there were plenty of people who were willing to work. The repairs would be made permanent once they knew they were needed. Sergei and the villagers had an agreement. They would work for him when he needed things done and he would pay them in whatever coin they needed whether it be goods or healing.
As they approached the inn the sun was just touching the horizon to the east, the sunset revealing magnificent streamers of red-gold, indigo-rose, and violet-coral delineating the clouds It looked as if some cosmic artist had dipped his brush into a rainbow and with broad strokes of iridescence illuminated the sky for paramours, to envelop their senses. The radiant hues dimming as the sun set further, altering the shades from indigo and violet to emerald and jade.
From behind the inn came a thick, powerful man who towered over Sergei as he climbed down from the wagon. Offering a big meaty hand, addressing the diminutive older man as if they were old friends. Sergei responding in kind, shaking his hand, and indicating the wagon, horse and the two boys on the bench. With a laugh the giant approached the wagon, pulling an apple from one of his monstrous pockets on the apron he wore, offering it to Maybell. With a whicker of delight, she stamped her left front hoof once, giving a brisk nod of her head she delicately took a nip out of the apple in a very ladylike manner.
“Now young lads just hop down from there. I need to take this lady in to the stable and attend to her. She needs a good rub down and a nice warm mash. Oh, I am Josiah, the stableman for the inn. Nothing gets me riled up worse than a mistreated horse, this here lovely lady has no complaints about her treatment from the likes of you,” he laughed heartily. “In fact, I see she has been rather well cared for. But then I wouldn’t expect any less from Ol’ Sergei nor any of those he has on the ‘stead. No siree, he teaches everyone who stays there to treat all his critters with respect and dignity. But I dither on when I should be attending Maybell’s comfort. You boys go on in I have everything under control out here, and don’t you be worrying about your gear neither.”
Climbing down from the wagon the two looked at each other sheepishly. They had not noticed the exchange between Sergei and Josiah. In fact, they had been startled when he addressed them, for they had been lost to the wonder of the setting sun and its dazzling colours. Both had been lost in daydreams of their own, each considering how the light would look glinting off the scales of the other’s draconic form. A form which Sebastian had only glimpsed a couple of times, which Eldrick currently knew nothing about.
Acknowledging Josiah with a wave of gratitude, they headed toward the entrance of the inn. Opening the door they are assaulted by the yeasty scent of fresh-baked bread, the aroma of stewed mutton in gravy, and the piquant odour of spices filling the main room. Trestle tables set in rows down the center of the room with benches on either side. A large fireplace set into the far wall, a fire blazing cheerfully. Along the outside walls were several round tables with chairs neatly tucked underneath to provide more space, when they weren’t occupied by customers. Along the back wall set aside from the fireplace was a raised table with stools fronting it and glass bottles behind in racks on the wall itself. Between this island of inebriation and the fireplace was set a door leading into the kitchen, where the bouquet of aromas was originating from. Glancing about, they spotted Sergei seated at one of the round tables just off the fireplace. Close enough be toasty but not roasting. As they approached, he lifted his hand waving them over. He was pouring each a drink from a bottle set in the middle of the table.
“This is juice from apple, peach, and a berry which grows near here. They press it in the fall when the fruit is ripe and store it in the cold so that it doesn’t ferment. I am going to have to try to get a couple barrels of it for next winter. Our rooms are upstairs," he indicated by pointing towards the stairwell. "You two are sharing a room, last door on the left. Dinner will be along shortly. They offer a few things, but as I have yet to build a flock of sheep, whenever I make it to town I have a standing order here for their shepherd’s pie. I hope you don’t mind.”
Eldrick responding “Sir you are covering the expenses and teaching me. I really have no arguments about whatever it is you wish to feed me. We have all been eating the same thing for months now, I see no reason to change that.” Sebastian just shrugged noncommittally.
As the food was arriving, it looked like a feast. The serving size was large, neither of the young men thought they would be able to finish it all. As they dug into the pie, the toasted mashed potatoes split nicely as the scent of mutton broke through. The starchiness of the potatoes blending with the rich gravy, the mutton was so succulent that it melted in their mouths like butter, the peas and carrots adding a distinct tang. Before realizing it, they had finished their entire trenches, along with a loaf of fresh-baked rye bread. The earthy and sweet flavour complimenting the pie beautifully. Looking up replete, they saw Sergei motioning the serving girl for dessert. She brought over a large slice of some sort of fruit pie complete with sweet iced cream. The combination of vanilla mixed with the berries and the flakey crust was almost orgasmic. Devouring it with such relish that Sergei thought they might just try to eat the dish it was served on. With the meal complete they decided it was time for bed, knowing the next morning was likely to be as early as this morning was. They had a long way to go.
