The Heart of Valor, Being the first story in the Fairca
Fantasy Series

Section 2: Two poor mules

Spring, the 48th, 879

When Fairka got word of his new job offer, she did not
waste a minute to consider. Some rich people needed a
guide for some pleasure trip, she could do the job and
she needed the money. No need to concern herself on
their motives. Probably the worst thing that expected
her was having to put up with all their demands and
complaints. Still, she would be happy as long as they paid
for the privilege. First of all preparations: she told
her new clients that she would make everything ready, no
need to buy any equipment that would end up being, she was
sure, too fancy, too heavy and more suitable for theater
than real life. Secondly, if they insisted on taking a
slave with them, they should agree that it would be her
who would be giving the others. To that second demand,
Doredai did not agree, making a point that she would not
take the slave with them, then. Which was fine for Fairka.

And so, with preparations done, on the dawn of the 48th
day of Spring, 879, they were meant to meet by the northern
gate of Lwgar. However, it was not until almost midday that
the five posh youths, deprived of servants, arrived at the
meeting point. 

Fairka had been there for a long while. She
was dressed in tough canvas and a woolen cape, equipped
with the contents of a haversack and a bedroll. As for the
clients, even after having been told not to bring anything,
they presented themselves with four mules loaded with:

* brown clothes, because "brown means adventure" 
* four baskets of raisins, "yummy bits"
* a barrel of salted meat, "explorer food" 
* books, "we are civilized, we are!"
* a large tent
* and a huge chest filled with not even the wisest of
  goddess knew its contents

Each one appeared armed in the manner of the warriors
from novels and plays: helmets, bows, a huge axe,
swords, but not a single spear, more sword and a mace, 
because "maces kill undead". 

However, they might had forgotten a few useful things.
None carried a cape, nothing to sleep on or under, and no 
canteen. In their games, they never worried about those
little things.

Fairka kept her feelings to herself and gave out the
kit she had separated for each of her charges. All to be
carried by one single mule that she would lead herself,
including the fodder for her mule, something that none
of the friends had remembered to take with them.

"Dear 'excellences'," she said.  "I am terribly sorry
but I cannot seem to find the fodder for your animals."

"It's not necessary." Doredai proudly answered."We are
saving weight, you see, the animals can graze as we go."

Fairka was tempted to leave it at that and have her laugh
later, but she was too considerate of the poor... mules
not to press her point." I am sure that is possible, Madam,
but some grain would save the animals a great deal of time
having to graze for food. It is cheap, and you'll have more
time for adventures."

"Very well, then, see to it."

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Continues on section 3, see gophermap