We soon left the city of Veral Ski behind us. Seymuhr's goat, despite its awkward appearance and wavering gait, proved to be a capable steed that matched the pace of our larger -- and more suitable -- mounts. If he felt in any way odd or uncomfortable riding the beast, he made no mention of it nor showed no sign.
"It is good to be on the road again," he said instead, his scratchy voice breaking the silence. "I have always found cities to be somewhat stifling."
"Yes. Well, I suppose I shall miss the regular baths more than you will," I answered, waving at the pungent air in front of my face. Was that the goat? Or him? "But the sights of the forest and the road are good ones. Have you ever been to Dervish?"
He shook his head and flashed a smile. "I have not. Most of my traveling has been further north. What of you?"
"It has been a long time. It was a small place when last I visited. I am interested to see the changes, and record them." I patted the satchel at my side. I was a falcuhn, a freelance historian who earned coin by documenting the places I wandered to and the events I witnessed. And now that I am fully in the employ of the queen and a member of the Ministry of Humankind Preservation, I shall do so from a more comfortable seat, and with greater authority. "What of you, Broo Fane Tane? Has your order a presence in the western climes? Or has your message spread there?"
Tane was an Optimist Monk, tasked with spreading cheer and hope throughout the land of Korin. A dangerous task in this -- or any -- age, indeed, which is why he was also a skilled warrior. As I frequently told anyone who would listen: anyone who wished to spread optimism to the dour folk of Korin had best know how to defend themselves.
"I do not...know," he answered, his voice as soft and lilting as always. He clutched the reigns in front of him and had his hood pulled up over his head, casting his face in shadow. Tane had a gift -- or a curse, more accurately -- of attracting mischief and violence from nearly all who saw him, as if they anticipated his mission to remind folks that things weren't as bad as they seemed and resented him for it. "I would hope the...good people...of Derv...ish would be receptive to some good news."
"Hrm. Yes. If only we had some to tell them." Korin could be a silly place, but it was always a dangerous one.
He shrugged and turned to me and, just below his shadowed eyes, I saw the glint of a smile. "Who...knows? Maybe we will find...some a...long the way."
Maybe, indeed. We journeyed along. Seymuhr bobbing and swaying on his awkward goat like a leaf on a lazy stream.
