Shadow of Hope XVII
“Then our wait commences.”
With that, Erellia began to go about some minor tasks within the shelter as the various members of the group prepared to undertake the assignments given to them.
“Sell the extra saddles with the mule?” Kurn asked, suggesting; if five of the horses were to be pack animals, the saddles were extra weight and burden they’d not be needing, and could be placed upon the mule and also sold in Westerly.
“Refit them as best you see fit, Kurn,” Erellia responded, “Though I wish to take all of the horses with us.”
“Torches and oil,” Kurn further suggested at the last; relying on magic in these times to keep dead creatures dead struck him as tactically uncertain.
“A prudent course, though I fear the weather conspires against us,” Erellia said, nodding in affirmation to Borlak and Katarina.
The warrior waited long enough for Erellia to state whether there were further amendments to the given tasks. With none forthcoming, he then nodded to Haron and lead the boy back to the horses.
“We’ll be moving this day,” he informed Haron quietly, based on Erellia’s prior statement not to unburden the mounts. He instructed Haron to select the five best suited for riding of the ten; a difficult choice, granted; and to promptly remove the saddles from the remaining five and the gear from the mule, then to stack the saddles on the mule to be ready to yield it to Borlak and Katarina. With some available time, then they could redistribute the gear, shifting the heavier shares of the burdens to the designated pack horses, and outfitting each riding horse for best speed and endurance.
Haron began his duties in earnest, though each opportunity to snatch a glance back at the others was readily taken. As their shared task brought them along side one another, the lad asked of Kurn, “Sir, did the Lady really mean ‘at we’re going to be crossin’ into the Horned? That’s Troll territory.”
The visible swallow and wide eyed stare conveyed a mixed sense of awed wonder and gut wrenching fear.