Chapter 81

Shinji moved towards the back of cart.
“Not there.” The man said when Shinji was near to climb over the barricade for sheep. Traveler joined his massive legs and made space for Shinji.
“I will not be able to defend myself if you strangle me from the back.”
Shinji sat shoulder to shoulder with the plumb man. Traveler whipped his horse and they rolled on their route.
“What are these cattle for?” Shinji had a question.
“For marriage of the prince.” Traveler said, “King of Winstrova wanted sheep from Hilcastle area slaughtered.”
“Do they taste different?”
“They are chewy bastards.”
“So you work for the king?”
“The person I work for does.”
“And when is the wedding?”
“In about a couple of weeks. No fixed date yet.” Traveler said after thinking. He flogged the horse harder because it had slowed because of the added weight.
“It took me a week to come here on a fast horse from Pryeg.” Shinji mumbled, “It’ll take you more than a month to reach Winstrova.”
“It will not take so long. These horses can fly.”
“Are you sure?” Shinji chuckled.
“How sure are you?”
“Not at all.” Shinji told him clear.
“Good. Because I don’t want to spend a week in a fuckwit’s company.”
Droplets of his spit came in contact with Shinji’s face but Shinji didn’t show him sharp side of his tongue. He was willing to bend if situation was going in his favor.
Shinji still didn’t want to appear as a weak person who would listen to everything the traveler said for a week. He was paying him for the ride so Shinji uttered, “See, I don’t want to reach Winstrova. Leave me in any village which is not hostile to strangers.”
“Then climb down and return to Pryeg. It is closest city from where we are.”
“To get slaughtered by Nastrian free folks?” Shinji raised his voice.
“Those who come here to meet Metal Mage are bound to get attacked by them.”
“I didn’t come here to meet her -”
“Please!” the person interrupted, “What did you ask from her?”
“Never met her.” Shinji sighed, “Savages protected her very well.”
“They don’t protect her. They simply don’t want people to meet her.”
“What’s your name?” Shinji asked to divert direction of their discussion.
“Did I ask your name?” traveler awarded him with a nasty look.
Shinji made his fist and tightened it. He resisted the urge to shatter his terth.
“You’re a brave man,” Shinji forced the compliment out, “to come here all alone.”
“I’d say you’re right as well as wrong. I have got some people waiting for me at Lacroix Crossing.”
“So your companions didn’t dare to get past Lacroix Crossing?”
“Yes, their vigor ended there.”