Everyone’s attention was drawn to Murkuk after the dramatic se of the woman fainting. He froze mid-a of pig his nose a sed time. Notig everyone’s attention, he puffed his chest out with pride. Seeing the grin on his face, Dink shook his head in wry amusement. He could feel Murkuk’s satisfa through their bond.

  Estra cast a disapproving gre in Murkuk’s dire, causing him to visibly wilt. His ears drooped as his shoulders slumped. He gave her a puppy-eyed stare in an attempt to garner her sympathy.

  “Sigh, at least try to act civilised for once,” Estra half-heartedly reprimanded.

  “Not hurt,” Murkuk whined, dejectedly pouting his lower lip.

  “I don’t want to hear it. Let’s go,” Estra replied.

  Estra hefted the worher pa her back. Dink noticed a small cage dangling from the bottom. It taihe Myid from earlier still resting peacefully. A bubble of snot was on its nose, expanding in sync with its soft snores.

  “We’re ready to leave too!” Riva excimed, pulling Tahlea along behind her.

  “What about your supplies?” Dink curiously asked.

  As if in ao his question, an unknown Halfing girl was hurriedly approag from the street. She was carrying a pair of matg packs. She ran out of breath to Riva and Tahlea, handing them one each. Riva pulled on her pack before turning to assist Tahlea, adjusting the straps to fit fortably before fixing her own.

  “Mother has already arranged everything,” Riva triumphantly said.

  “Madame Celeste has already arrahings on our end too. There’s a den cart and mule ready for us out baothing too spirited, horses don’t like the smell of Goblins. e to think of it, I’m not much of a fan of it either,” Axion said.

  He leaned in close to inhale a whiff of Murkuk. He dramatically pinched his nose in disgust. Murkuk watched him with wide-eyed curiosity. He silently lifted his arm to sniff his armpit, recoiling away a little. Tahlea covered her mouth while letting out an involuntary giggle after seeing their antics. The sound of her i ughter caused Dink’s hardened heart to flutter.

  “If that’s all settled, then we may as well get on the road. Lead the way,” Dink said, gesturing for Axion to go ahead.

  Axiohem around the House of Worldly Delight into a stable behind the building. A mule was haro a sturdy farm cart. It was happily eating from a feedbag attached to its snout. The cart had a low-sided wooden ftbed with a bench seat at the front. A lock chest was tucked underh along with a rolled-up tarp. For suspension, it had a single iron leaf spring rusted in pce.

  Is this it? I’d have thought Madame Celeste could at least provide some cushions. I’ve seen carts with more fortable cages in the arenas. Even the mule looks like it has one hoof in the grave. Now that, that’s a mount worthy of me.

  A gust of wind blew their st across the yard, causing agitated neighing from most of the stalls. A magnifit bck stallion reared with an aggressive snicker. It kicked its gate with powerful fs, thudding against the wood. Splinters flew out as the wooden gate rattled against its hinges but otherwise remained intact. The disturbance had made Dink pause outside of the stallion’s stall, watg the warhorse in admiration.

  “Beautiful,” Dink whispered in awe.

  “e along before your stink drives the beast mad,” Axion said, dragging him away.

  Diantly followed him over to the mule. It was an old beast with scarred fnks. It dispyed the temperament of something that had experienced a few things and wasn’t easily excitable. It tio eat as they approached. It snorted as the stablehand removed its feedbag.

  “Go on, boy. Go tell all your friends,” Dink said with amusement.

  The boy g the Goblins with his mouth hanging open as he backed out of their way. He flipped the stablehand a silver that he had mysteriously obtained. Axion patted his waist, searg for something. The boy deftly caught the before running from the courtyard.

  “Hey, that was mine. e back here, boy!” Axion excimed, making to chase after the boy before thinkier of it.

  “Haha, it doesn’t hurt to be a little generous now and then,” Dink chuckled, tossing Axion back his purse.

  The lion-man hastily opehe drawstrings to examihe tents. There was the sound of a cing against metal as he silently ted. Satisfied that the rest was still there, he warily put the purse inside his shirt. He patted his chest to assure himself it was safe befring at Dink.

  “That’s easy to say when it’s not your . If the expanding woods doesn’t get you, I will. Fet it, it’s time for us to go. I don’t want to waste any more daylight. You lot sleep in the back, just pull the tarp over yourselves. Hop on,” Axion said, climbing onto the bend taking the reins.

  Dink was still sniggering quietly when he climbed into the cart bed. Murkuk cmbered in beside him. Riva and Tahlea hopped into the back across from Dink while Estra sat on the front bench beside Axion. Tossing her pato the seat o her.

  “Yah!” Axion cried.

  Once everyone was in, Axion flicked the reins. The old mule relutly started forward, drawing the cart out of the courtyard on squeaky wheels. Dink unfurled the tarp over the top of them with a flourish, fastening it to the insides of the ftbed.

  Underh, small rays of m sunlight leaked through moth holes in the fabric. He ighe sharp bumping of the cart bed as he quickly fell asleep. He was vaguely aware of the ge in sound as the road from cobblestoo dirt. They had finally left the fines of the city without hassle.

  ***

  When Dink awoke, the sun was high overhead, warming the inside of the tarp. Dink looked around, Murkuk was sn peacefully, the cage taining the mushroom monster clutched in his arms. Both of the Halflings were asleep too. Tahlea was hugging tightly to Riva as she sprawled out, taking the most spa the cart bed. He pushed aside the tarp above him to peek his head outside. He curiously she air to iigate.

  We’ve left the vulgar stink of civilisation. It’s good to smell the air of the tryside again. It’s been far too long since I st tasted freedom. Oh, evera is asleep. No, actually it looks like she’s meditating to gather mana.

  Estra was slumped heavily against Axion’s shoulder. He ignored her weight as he drove the cart steadily down the dirt road. They were surrounded by farmnd on both sides. Dink silently watched a variety of crops and stoimals pass by. He sat like that for an unknown amount of time until they passed an invisible barrier. Stone fences ged into gorse hedges. Sheep and cattle switched to free-roaming goats. Axion looked back over his shoulder and began chug after notig Dink’s presence.

  “You’re awake just in time, goat-fucker. The dies are ing out to funt their wares, ha ha ha!” Axion said. His booming ugh woke all the women while Murkuk and the Myid slept on obliviously.

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