Recompense for a Lost Soul

[ii] Memories Burn Purple - |part 1|

The next morning, the town of Ainston woke to find a few unpleasant surprises. The most shocking of which, was the murder of one of the advisors to the mayor. He was found lying in a pool of his own blood, having bled out through a gaping hole in his stomach. On the other side of town, in the renowned Slumbering Oak tavern, there appeared to be signs of a struggle as there was blood splatters, broken chairs and even a broken tooth. The barkeep was also missing. Town guards were puzzled by the murder and the disappearance, assuming that they were connected in some way. 

As the rain slowed, a young boy made his way to the local stables. He had the intention of buying a horse. To make sure that more rumors didn't spread about him, he had removed his usual coat, cloak, cowl and sword, and instead opted to don a simple white shirt, vest and riding pants. He finally had enough money to buy a horse. And he definitely needed a horse. The road to Riplyvil was long and arduous, it's situated two leagues into the Great Tundra and around sixteen leagues from Ainston. He hoped the adventurers guild there held better fortunes.  

Nearing the stables, the smell of manure and equines was overpowering. Entering the large stable, he located the stablemaster at a stall to the back. He was grooming a beautiful stallion. No way in hell am I buying that the boy thought. 

On seeing the boy, the stablemaster ceased his grooming and trotted over to the boy, who was rather amused by the man's unique waddle.

"What can I do for you lad?" he said cheerily, "did your daddy send you?"

"No. I don't have a 'daddy' and I'm here to purchase a horse," he said, trying to deepen his voice and straighten his back which was always slouched. 

"Ah. . . Then I'll cut the pretense, You're in the market for a horse huh. . . Very well, follow me. . ." Saying so the stablemaster walked through the maze of horse stalls and to a table that was to the side. Atop it sat piles of papers, stray horseshoes, ledgers and tools.

"First order of business, You got a name I can use, lad?" the stablemaster asked.

The boy hesitated for a second before blurting out, "Pitcher."

"Very well then Pitcher, do you have a budget," he said, picking up a clipboard and a quill. 

"About two thousand eris is the highest I can go."

"A fair amount. . ." the stablemaster said, more so to himself. After jotting something down on his clipboard with parchment, he said, "any preferences?"

"Sturdy please -and shouldn't have a bad temper, nor should it be afraid of scuffles and fights. Darker colored coats are preferred."

The stablemaster who was quickly jotting things down motioned for Pitcher to follow him. "Mare or stallion?" he asked.

"Either one works. . ."

After thinking a little, the stablemaster led Pitcher to a row of four stalls, indicating the four horses who occupied them. 

"Take your pick."

One caught Pitcher's eye immediately. He was a stocky little stallion, with a gray almost reflective purple coat. He had big, kind eyes and a nick on his left ear. Pitcher walked up to the stallion and stroked his muzzle, causing him to grunt affectionately.

"This one have a name?"

"Funny thing actually. . . This one was brought in just yesterday, he's a good one, had no problems with me but, I didn't really check his quality or anything. . ."

"That's fine, in fact I think I'll have him. . ."

Fifteen minutes later, he was standing outside with his newly bought horse in tow. He had bought him at a reduced price of one thousand eight hundred eris, a decent deal in his mind. He had in total, five hundred and twenty three eris left exactly.