The Last Beacon

VII

"Well then, almost there," the man, Ashte, said. 'Let's take a walk to the stable"

Not long after Decius left, Laurenz and Ashte were finalising a deal. The duo could use two of his prized horses to make their journey, for a price that they were still discussing. Sascha had no idea if Laurenz had the money or not, but from the way he was walking; his body stance and subtle gestures meant that he was nervous about something. She guessed he had no idea how he would pay for it and had been hoping Ashte would let them have the horses for free.

Sascha had an idea for if Laurenz couldn't pay, but she figured it would be rude to ask him if he had the money, especially when Ashte was in earshot.

"Here we are." Ashte announced, proudly showing the expansive stables before them. "I have two horses that I'll allow to go cheaper than the others. The price, however, will be around four thousand for both of them."

Laurenz gasped and his eyes widened at such a high price.

Ashte raised a suspicious eyebrow. "You said you had money for good horses."

Laurenz bit his lip. "I'm sorry, we-"

"We can afford it," Sascha interrupted. "We'd like to see the horses first, before we pay."

Ashte nodded stiffly, as if he was becoming agitated. He turned and pushed open the doors to the stable and marched in with an air of newfound authority that he had not possessed earlier.

Perhaps it's how he acts around his employees. Sascha thought to herself.

The duo followed the man, who soon stopped outside two pens. "These two will be your horses."

Sascha studied each of them. "They'll do fine"

The first, a gorgeous ebony horse that stared deeply back at her. The second, a grey horse with a white to black gradient tail.

Ashte cleared his throat loudly. "So, the money?"

"About that," Laurenz started. He began to make nonsensical ramblings while Sascha calmly opened her backpack.

She pulled out the small brown box that Laurenz had previously queried.

She opened it and handed a wad of money to Ashte, who was surprised that she had been carrying such riches.

"The money's all here." Ashte said, dumbfounded, after briefly flicking through it.

Sascha shrugged as she closed the box and shoved it back into her bag. She zipped up the bag and slung it back over her shoulders.

"I'll have my workers prepare your horses. I'll be back shortly." Ashte announced, and swiftly marched off.

As soon as he was out of sight, Laurenz was on to Sascha like a bloodhound to prey as they strolled back outside. "Why didn't you tell me you had money?" He hissed quietly at her.

"You didn't need to know." Sascha replied blankly.

"I did, actually. We had to stop in Azoka especially so I could get money to pay Ashte. Your little secret fund would have been extremely useful information earlier." Laurenz scolded.

"I have never touched that money until now. I think you should thank me for saving your a-"

"Alright I get it!" Laurenz interrupted, sighing. "Thank you, Sascha. You really didn't have to, though."

"Oh, yes I did. Where would we be without it?"

"Laurenz!" Ashte called out, causing the pair to simultaneously turn their heads to look at him. The man beckoned for them to go to him. They obliged silently.