* * *
The fresh-fallen snow crunched underfoot as they made their way out to the barn. Kalan looked around warily, his eyes searching a hundred ways at once. Delron did not seem to be the least bit concerned, barely even looking up from his feet. When they reached the small barn, he seemed to sense Kalan’s worry and looked over at him.
“There is no need to fear. The Shakzan are far away from here now.”
Kalan nodded and kept looking out for any unnatural movement. He believed the old man knew what he was talking about, but he could not stop his instinctive lookout.
The barn door creaked open, revealing rusty hinges in need of oil. Kalan heard a whinny from inside and felt a nose thrust into his hand as he entered the barn.
“Hey, buddy.” He stroked softly down Downer’s neck. “Have you been good while I’ve been gone?”
Delron let out a loud snort. “That horse has eaten more grain than any I’ve ever seen. It’s a good thing you have to go back to town, because I would need to make a trip anyway to restock for the rest of the winter.”
Downer let out a loud neigh. Delron gave him a sour look. “Oh, shut up, you old nag.”
Kalan smiled at the dichotomy of anyone as old as Delron using the term “old nag,” but decided not to comment on it. He quietly lifted his saddle and placed it on Downer’s back, noting that the leather shone as if it had recently been cleaned. Downer’s coat looked glossy also, as if he had been subjected to more than a few rubdowns over the last three days.
After tightening the girth strap, Kalan turned to see if Delron needed any assistance in saddling his horse. He had to bite back a laugh when he saw the old man’s mount – it was a short, squat donkey. Delron had placed the saddle on the donkey’s back and tightened it up, but whenever the old man would try to mount the beast would side-step, causing an endless circle.
Kalan was about to offer assistance when the old man stomped his feet on the ground and grabbed the donkey’s jaw. The donkey struggled for a moment, then allowed his head to be placed face-to-face with the Healer’s.
“I will not have this nonsense today, do you hear me! If you do not let me ride you, I will put you in the pasture for a week!” Delron leaned close and whispered into the donkey’s ear. Kalan heard every word. “Stop acting up just because we have company!”
The donkey did not make a move, but when Delron tried to mount, the animal stood very still and allowed him to get into the saddle.
Delron rode the donkey out of the barn and Kalan closed the doors behind them, leading Downer by his halter. Once he had locked the barn door, he placed his foot in the stirrup and threw his leg over the horse. Downer held very still as Kalan settled himself in the saddle, and he heard Delron mutter something that sounded like “show-off” under his breath as they began to travel.