Ashrain

9. Advertising Hooves

The trio connected the news of Yongguk's return to Durnatel to the market day. Since Mingi had a horse that was very compliant, though perplexed, after meeting Seonghwa, to return to its owner, he suggested for Hongjoong and him to advertise their business in the city's heart. Seonghwa wanted to join them to meet Yongguk after Wooyoung had informed them of the pathfinder's brief stay in his home. Since they didn't want to miss out on the precious information the man bore, the brothers agreed to take Seonghwa to the town. His leg healed fine, and he had got rid of the bandages to leave it to heal in the open. After long days of rest, it didn't pain or trouble him anymore. Hongjoong doubted this trip would reopen the scabbing.

The evening before they left for Durnatel and Wooyoung had gone home after his flirtatious courier task, Seonghwa's excitement couldn't be detained. He walked in circles through the small stables, finding not enough space to gallop around. Hongjoong watched him from where he was seated on the door to the closed bay. A smile curled around his lips at seeing Seonghwa's passion. The centaur's face had been glowing all day and his hands fiddled in front of his body as he looked forward to meeting Yongguk.

"I will finally know how to return home. While I appreciated your hospitality and grew to like Mingi's and your company, I can't help but miss my people."

"Who could blame you," Hongjoong cooed. He leaned against the pillar on his back to watch Seonghwa's glee with fond eyes. "You got ripped from your home so suddenly and distanced yourself far from everything familiar. I am happy we can send you back soon."

"My leg healed so much, too! I can return and then eventually repay your favours." Proud, Seonghwa beamed at Hongjoong. He didn't notice how much his captivating excitement dispirited Hongjoong. How Hongjoong wanted him to stay longer for more questions, more fun exchanges, and more instances for Hongjoong to find the centaur adorable.

"Will you miss me?" Seonghwa stopped his pacing to come closer. His steps were unsure, the clop of his hooves hesitant, as he didn't know how deep their rather short friendship reached.

Hongjoong smiled.

"Of course, I will. Even when I know little about you. Your folk never stop being mysterious."

Seonghwa chuckled before he returned to his bay and pulled the door shut. While Hongjoong slipped from his position, the centaur settled by bending one leg at a time.

"Let's sleep. I want tomorrow to come faster."

Hongjoong chuckled and wished him a good night. As he went to bed, he couldn't sleep, despite vowing to share Seonghwa's happiness.

-

Dew clung to the grass when they set out early in the morning. Hongjoong and Mingi had readied their cart with Mingi's crafts and utensils for him to show the townsfolk what he could do and offer hoof trims for reduced prices. The brothers insisted on pulling the cart despite Seonghwa's offer to wear a surcingle and lug it along.

Once everything was packed and Hongjoong's bag with water and food supplies had found its way inside the cart, they set out. Seonghwa's tall frame strolled along with the two humans majestically. The amusing clop of hooves on the pavement despite him wearing a human upper half followed them through the forest.

Seonghwa was ecstatic to be meeting Yongguk soon. He gushed about his people, about missing his friend 'Buckwheat' and his favourite dish - a pie baked of apples. Only the elders of his tribe knew the recipe for the pie, that was equal parts juicy and equal parts solid enough not to fall apart.

Throughout their journey, Hongjoong gazed upon Seonghwa with affectionate eyes. The centaur gestured while he described the massive mammoth trees that engulfed their village in protective shadows. His eyes shone when he gushed about the springs and their clean water. Red lips never stopped moving as he recalled sitting together with the warriors of his clan around a campfire as they told their bizarre stories about fighting gigantic monsters and venturing into the snow-covered mountains.