Free A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) by Matthew Mitchell Page B

should not worry. Raven seemed to be gaining a good understanding of how to work a team of animals pulling a wagon. I kept talking to the different families about their wagons and figuring out what I thought would work for a wagon of my own. I had found that there were many ways to get the same result, the methods simply differed from family to family. One thing I knew for certain was that it would be a lot of work to get a wagon set for our own use. I was thinking about this when Stain poked me.
    "What occupies your thoughts, my young apprentice?" Stain asked, his voice full of humor.
    I smiled, "I was thinking about the wagon Raven and I would share. About the different things we would need to do and all the choices in what to have in it."
    Stain nodded and looked around, "I think that is a good subject. Just remember to take Raven into account. Discuss with her what she requires and also what she desires.”
    I grinned, “Of course. But what about you?”
    Stain chuckled, “I have no need for a wagon, but thank you. Tag should do just fine for me. He has done more than enough for me in the past.” He looked back over his shoulder at Tag and smiled. “In fact he has often been my only friend during my travels.”
    Tag snorted at Stain and kept walking. I could see a humorous light in his expression.
    “So just the two of us then?” I grinned at that thought.
    “Do not forget the rest of us.” Mophar poked me in the ear. His finger was cold and wet. “We will most likely be keeping you all company.”
    That was a good point. I looked back at Tag where Fioshrach rested, Pat slept, and Cracklecord sat on her metal seat. “What about the rest of you?”
    Pat sleepingly lifted his head, “I believe I shall require a hammock inside only when the weather deems it prudent to retire to such a place.” He laid his head back down and slept on.
    Fioshrach grinned, “I enjoy being outside. No special accommodations are needed.”
    Cracklecord nodded, “A warm fire is always welcome, however I plan on being a visitor. I will most likely come and go.”
    “I think we can manage all of that. I have to talk to Raven, we need to work out some basics so we know the size of wagon to locate.” I walked up around Tulip’s wagon where she sat talking to Raven.
    “And here comes your young man.” Tulip looked back around the wagon’s side at me.
    “How do you know I am coming?” I asked Tulip once I came abreast of their seat.
    She pointed at a small object mounted in front of her seat. “Something you might consider.” I looked closely and realized that there was a small, round, metal mirror mounted on the wagon. When I looked closely I could see that for someone in the seat they would be able to see down the side of the wagon. “It helps an old lady keep her wagon in good shape, I avoid hitting the sides of the wagon on objects or running over people.”
    “That is ingenious!” I exclaimed.
    “Thank you. One of my family developed them. He was tired of fixing the paint on everyone’s wagon.” Tulip grinned broadly. “Now, I imagine you did not just come up here to discuss wagons. What is on your mind?”
    I blushed and smiled gently, “Actually I did come up here just for that. I have been looking around at everyone’s wagon. I have been considering all the various options and accessories that are on each wagon with the thought to what we would need on our wagon.” I addressed this last part to Raven.
    “Smart boy!” Tulip exclaimed. “Always consider your partner’s position or ideas on a subject. You will live happier that way.” She turned to Raven, “What thoughts do you have?”
    Raven was watching the road but had started smiling at our conversation. “I think that there are many good ideas. But there are also some really bad ideas. We need to make sure that we only have those things that will work for us and not against us.”
    Tulip thought about this a moment before asking, “What kind of bad