Posted by Morpork at September 8th, 2007

The four heroes trudged up the beaten path and like all heroes in the multiverse, were engaging in an argument about how far it was taking to get to their destination.

“I have just finished my bottle,” said the half-dragon man, Pesha.

“We can fill up at the lake ahead,” said Riccel.

“No, I was really hungry, so I …finished up the bottle.”

“…Oh. Hey, look! It’s a caravan!”

The four heroes were eager to hitch a ride, having traveled a great distance on foot. As they closed on the caravan that was parked by the lake, they saw a man directing a few others to throw cans and boots into the lake.

“Come on. We don’t have all day. We have two places more to finish up for today.”*

“Hey over there! Are you by any chance going to Duke Dorun’s border farms or anywhere in that direction? We would really appreciate a ride,” said Poul.

The leader turned around and sized up the band of dirty, dirt-ridden travellers† in front of him.

“Well… With these burly men with me here, Ah’m not sure we’d ‘ave space now see?” said the leader, switching his speech to street as best as he knew how to. As if on cue, the four men beside him turned around, each putting on their most intimidating faces. The largest man turned around, sniffing and dripping from his nose uncontrollably. He shrugged and the leader slapped his forehead.

“Riccel, if you please?” Poul prodded encouragingly.

“Oh, er, of course.”

With deft fingers, she made a bag of coins appear in the space of her sleeve. The leader snatched up the bag and grinned.

“Name’s Sgt Rainel! All aboard then?”

__________

*Fish reproduce in the millions. Making sure amateur fishermen hook in boots and cans is an upstream struggle that would impress salmon.

†No one believes it but dirt is smart enough to hitch rides too. Sometimes it gets in over its head and tries to steal your shoe but it can’t find its size. Or so Riccel’s teacher claimed.