In the Blade's Hilt |A tale from Triterra|

Chapter 42 - Blue demonstrates his Bartering skill

Blue had never felt so tired in his life.  He had to re-pack all of the tents and bedrolls back into Bahg, carry Ty through vines and undergrowth and now he had to carry him through the hot sun.  They had left the vast forest and were now trudging across the endless green plains.  At last he and Jenna arrived at Forsedge, a small hamlet close to the woods.

Blue grunted with effort as a carried his unconscious friend into the small village.

"I ca- I an't do this for much longer" he gasped.  Sweat was pouring down his face.

"Come on, Blue.  If we stop now, we'll have to travel through the night, and you know how dangerous that can be" said Jenna, mopping her own brow.  She was right.  Blue had heard many stories of groups of travelers getting raided on the road by bandits.  He looked around him.

"Maybe there's an easier way.  Go see if you can find some rope"

He ran up to a old farmer who had just finished unloading hay from a small wooden cart.

"Excuse me, good sir, would you be interested in selling that cart?" asked Blue with utmost politeness.  The farmer looked at him skeptically.

"How much are we talkin' here?" he replied, raising one grey eyebrow.  Blue dove deep into his pockets and pulled out his coinpurse.  Three silver coins and eight small clay coins jangled  inside the purse.

"Uh, how about three silver?" asked Blue nervously.  An expression of mild surprise flickered across the old man's face.  He accepted the coins and left the cart beside Blue.  He quickly retreated into his house.

Blue returned to Jenna with the cart.

"Did you get any rope?" he asked.

"I did "find" some" she said, trying to avoid his gaze.  Blue frowned.

"You really have to stop stealing things.  Also, try not to blink when you're lying"

Blue carefully lifted his ill companion into the cart.  Making sure not to hit his head, Blue positioned Ty with his legs straight and arms By his sides.  Ty faintly groaned.

Using the rope, he bound his fried to cart to prevent him from sliding off.  He turned to Jenna as he picked up the handles.

"All righty then, let's go"

After travelling north-east for several hours, the great silhouette of the City loomed in the distance.  When he got back to Acid's shop, he was definitely going to need a rest.  They continued travelling in silence until they finally reached the gates to the City.