Free The Merchant and the Menace by Daniel F McHugh Page A

Kael.
    “Ha,” laughed Teeg. “I say again. Fables are built
on fabulous truth and life is full of surprises!”
    Ader finished talking to Manfir and walked toward
them.
    “Kael, you will ride the chestnut with the packages
on it. The other is for Aemmon when we reach him.”
    Ader turned toward the stables and a look of concentration
crossed his brow. Kael heard a deep whinny and the stamp of a hoof. Another
stallion pranced from the stables. Kael stood mouth agape. Manfir’s black
stallion was huge, but Ader’s steed stood a full two hands taller with
considerably more bulk. The horse pranced over to Ader and nuzzled his chest.
The stallion was dark gray in color and bore a strange, five-point marking upon
its forehead.
    As Kael stood marveling at the beauty of the
creature, it turned and eyed him. Its huge nostrils flared and it took in the
boy’s scent. The horse let out a low rumbling whinny, approached Kael slowly
with its head lowered and nuzzled his chest. Kael’s body was rigid and his arms
lay locked to his sides. The boy’s wide eyes danced between the giant stallion standing
before him and the amused grins of his companions. Slowly he raised his hands,
took the huge head into his arms and gently stroked it.
    “I’ve never seen Tarader allow any other to handle
him but you, my lord,” said Manfir approaching the group.
    “It seems he is intrigued by the lad,” said Ader
smiling.
    “Truly remarkable,” stated Teeg.
    Kael released the horse and mounted the chestnut
mare, a fine Erutre horse in its own right. Manfir mounted the black stallion
and moved toward Ader. Ader spoke briefly to Teeg then turned to Tarader. The
horse dropped on its front knees and the old tinker mounted. With no effort at
all the horse rose and moved toward the opening to the street beneath the
castle walls. Kael and Manfir followed.
    “Thank you for everything,” called Kael over his
shoulder to Teeg.
    The old Elf smiled and bowed.
     
    The trio created quite a stir as they traveled
through the city streets. Elves, young and old alike, bowed heads and placed
their hands on their hearts.  They finished their greeting by extending their
palms upward. Ader’s face remained stern and occasionally the trader bowed his
head, extended his right hand and mumbled something. The Elves smiled and bowed
in gratitude, but Kael swore he heard the words “ridiculous” and “nonsense” in Ader’s
ramblings.
    They passed through the gate in the wall of giant white trees and
through the outer city streets. Soon they were out of Luxlor and on the Nagur
path. They made excellent time to the bridge and dismounted to lead their
horses across its narrow expanse. Kael glanced about the woods and after
concentrating was able to discern at least a dozen figures hidden within its
shadows. He noticed Diom covered in his Elven cloak, motionless amongst several
brambles to his right. The Elf’s face was colored to match the patterns of the
brush.
    Kael smiled broadly at the Elven soldier and waved
heartily.
    Diom remained like a statue save for the tightening
of the muscles in his face. The trio reached the northern side of the Efer and
mounted to ride on.
    “Kael, never embarrass an Elf,” frowned Ader.
    “I wasn’t trying to embarrass anyone,” replied Kael
returning the frown. “ I wanted Diom to know I hold no ill will from our
encounter.”
    “The Elves take pride in their stealth,” returned
Ader with a slight scowl. “By pointing out Diom, you shame him before his men.”
    Kael furrowed his brow.
    “That is ridiculous. They were all clearly
visible.”
    “How many did you see?” asked Ader arching a brow.
    “All of them, I assume,” returned Kael. “About two
dozen.”
    “I counted fifty Elves at the crossing,” replied
Ader with a grin. “They doubled the garrison after Eidyn’s report to the
council.
    The old man turned from the boy and let his mount
canter ahead. Manfir pulled up alongside Kael.
    “Ader tries to teach