Everyone’s attention was drawn to Murkuk after the dramatic scene of the woman fainting. He froze mid-action picking his nose a second time. Noticing 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 satisfaction through their bond.

Estra cast a disapproving glare in Murkuk’s direction, 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 worn leather pack on her back. Dink noticed a small cage dangling from the bottom. It contained the Myconid 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 exclaimed, pulling Tahlea along behind her.

“What about your supplies?” Dink curiously asked.

As if in answer to his question, an unknown Halfing girl was hurriedly approaching from the street. She was carrying a pair of matching 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 comfortably before fixing her own.

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

“Madame Celeste has already arranged things on our end too. There’s a laden cart and mule ready for us out back. Nothing too spirited, horses don’t like the smell of Goblins. Come 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 innocent laughter 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.

Axion led them around the House of Worldly Delight into a stable behind the building. A mule was harnessed to a sturdy farm cart. It was happily eating from a feedbag attached to its snout. The cart had a low-sided wooden flatbed with a bench seat at the front. A locked chest was tucked underneath along with a rolled-up tarp. For suspension, it had a single iron leaf spring rusted in place.

Is this it? I’d have thought Madame Celeste could at least provide some cushions. I’ve seen carts with more comfortable 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 scent across the yard, causing agitated neighing from most of the stalls. A magnificent black stallion reared with an aggressive snicker. It kicked its gate with powerful forelegs, 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 the stallion’s stall, watching the warhorse in admiration.

“Beautiful,” Dink whispered in awe.

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

Dink reluctantly followed him over to the mule. It was an old beast with scarred flanks. It displayed the temperament of something that had experienced a few things and wasn’t easily excitable. It continued to 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 glanced at the Goblins with his mouth hanging open as he backed out of their way. He flipped the stablehand a silver coin that he had mysteriously obtained. Axion patted his waist, searching for something. The boy deftly caught the coin before running from the courtyard.

“Hey, that was mine. Come back here, boy!” Axion exclaimed, making to chase after the boy before thinking better of it.

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

The lion-man hastily opened the drawstrings to examine the contents. There was the sound of a claw tapping against metal as he silently counted. Satisfied that the rest was still there, he warily put the coin purse inside his shirt. He patted his chest to assure himself it was safe before glaring at Dink.

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

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

“Yah!” Axion cried.

Once everyone was in, Axion flicked the reins. The old mule reluctantly 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 flatbed.

Underneath, small rays of morning sunlight leaked through moth holes in the fabric. He ignored the sharp bumping of the cart bed as he quickly fell asleep. He was vaguely aware of the change in sound as the road from cobblestone to dirt. They had finally left the confines of the city without hassle.

***

When Dink awoke, the sun was high overhead, warming the inside of the tarp. Dink looked around, Murkuk was snoring peacefully, the cage containing 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 space in the cart bed. He pushed aside the tarp above him to peek his head outside. He curiously sniffed the air to investigate.

We’ve left the vulgar stink of civilisation. It’s good to smell the clean air of the countryside again. It’s been far too long since I last tasted freedom. Oh, even Estra 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 farmland on both sides. Dink silently watched a variety of crops and stock animals pass by. He sat like that for an unknown amount of time until they passed an invisible barrier. Stone fences changed into gorse hedges. Sheep and cattle switched to free-roaming goats. Axion looked back over his shoulder and began chuckling after noticing Dink’s presence.

“You’re awake just in time, goat-fucker. The ladies are coming out to flaunt their wares, ha ha ha!” Axion said. His booming laugh woke all the women while Murkuk and the Myconid slept on obliviously.