"I have coins," said Hornsbuck, hefting the purse that Mika had last seen given to Lotus Blossom.
They found the horse pens just as the sun was streaking the darkening sky with layers of crimson.
The pens were made of bronzewood, a strong and resilient hardwood found only in the Burneal Forest. Mika knew that the wood was all but unbreakable and judged its use costly but wise, for the pens were filled with a seething, swirling mass of wild-eyed horses.
"As nice a group of horses as you'll ever see," said a voice at his elbow.
Mika looked down and saw a small man standing beside him. The fellow barely came to the roan's stirrup. Twisted and bent, he looked as though he had been badly stepped on and had healed poorly. Given his profession, such a scenario did not seem unlikely. One arm was withered and emaciated, and the entire left side of his face, from temple to jaw, was sunken and misshapen and covered with a mass of ugly purple scar tissue. The eye-what remained of it-was milky-blue and unseeing.
"Ugly creatures, every one. Not good for anything but wolf meat," replied Mika as he turned and made as though to leave, thus officially opening the bargaining. "My friend here is interested in a horse, not carrion fodder."
The bent man quickly took himself off to Hornsbuck's side, having thus identified the buyer. He sized the big nomad up with a shrewd eye. Placing his hand on Hornsbuck's arm, he attempted to draw him closer to the pen.
"Look you, sir. I can tell that one such as yourself is a good and knowledgeable judge of horseflesh," the man said smoothly. "A rough and hardy fellow like you has no use for a soft city horse, pampered and petted by all who pass."
"True, true," said Hornsbuck, stroking his beard and standing firm.
"These horses may look a bit rough around the edges, I admit, but take another look, good sir. They are tough in nature, and wild and brave in spirit- fitting mounts for a warrior such as yourself."
"Uh, Hornsbuck…" muttered Mika, suddenly worried that the big nomad might actually fall for the glib talk of the merchant.
"Let the fellow speak, Mika," said Hornsbuck. "He seems a good judge of character."
Mika groaned inwardly as the merchant seized the opportunity and rushed in for the kill.
"These horses, these sturdy beasts are not ordinary horses…"
"You can say that again," mumbled Mika as he leaned on the rails and looked at the sorry pack of horses wheeling within.
"They were captured deep in the Howling Hills, and their spirits are wild and untamed… fighters, every one, horses fit for a noble warrior such as yourself. Never could they be ridden by a city man."
"Or anyone else," muttered Mika. "Hornsbuck, what say we look further?"
"Let me show you the best of them," the man said hurriedly, placing his hand on the large man's elbow. Hornsbuck allowed himself to be drawn away.
Mika sighed and clucked to the roan, following after the horse-seller. The little man led them to a second pen; it held only one horse-the nastiest, meanest, ugliest stallion Mika had ever seen.
Standing at least seventeen hands high, the horse was a dull, mottled brown with a short, stiff, spikey black mane and brushlike tail. Its body, while massive and powerful, was covered with a variety of scars. Its eyes were black and ringed with white, a sign that Mika had learned to recognize as denoting madness in an animal. Its large, square, yellow teeth were bared over its gums as the men approached the pen. And even though it was securely snubbed to a thick post, it pawed the ground and strained to reach them.
"Now, this is not a horse I would show to just anyone," said the man. "It will take a very special sort to recognize this one's potential."
"Yes, a complete and total fool, that's the only sort who would be dumb enough to buy this horse. It's a killer, Hornsbuck!" said Mika.
To his horror he heard Hornsbuck say, "How much be you asking for this animal?"
Twilight fell as Mika sat with his head buried in his hands and Hornsbuck and the horse dealer finalized their bargain. Hornsbuck took possession of the horse and a complete set of heavy leather tack.
The stallion tensed as Hornsbuck untied the rope from the post. As soon as Hornsbuck flung the heavy saddle across the horse's back, it immediately sucked in air, inflating its abdomen to prevent the tightening of the girth. But Hornsbuck was familiar with that particular trick; a hard knee to the horse's stomach resulted in an explosive outburst of air and a quick cinch of the girth.
The ugly, hammer-headed creature gathered himself to buck as Hornsbuck stepped foot in the stirrup and swung into the saddle. But the nomad was no fool. As soon as he was seated, he clenched his knees together and squeezed.
Taken by surprise, the horse drew in a sharp breath. Immediately Hornsbuck tightened his massive thighs, compressing the horse's lungs still further, not allowing it to draw breath.
Unable to get air, the horse began to panic. It wheezed and sucked in vain, and every time it managed to take in a breath, Hornsbuck clamped down more tightly, the muscles in his massive thighs standing out like ridges of rock.
The horse was soon staggering about drunkenly, its legs trembling and shaking. Mika stared in pop- eyed fascination, certain the horse would soon fall to the ground and die. Even the dealer had stopped counting his grushniks and was gaping in stupified amazement.
Then, just as it seemed that the horse would surely expire, its face contorted in an awful grimace of pain and its eyes nearly popping from its skull, Hornsbuck relaxed his hold on the animal's chest.
The horse lowered its head and took in great, wheezing, shuddering breaths. And when, after a time, Hornsbuck gently shook the reins, tapping them lighdy on the stallion's neck, it broke into a trot instantly, with not a sign of trouble.
"Works every time," Hornsbuck said with a grin as he rode past the astounded pair. "And now, Mika, unless you have anything else to do, it's time to go after your wayward princess."
CHAPTER 10
"Where to, now?" asked Mika, anxious to retrieve the princess and be on their way before the demon changed any more of him.
"Patience, patience," Hornsbuck cautioned with a wide grin.
They rode back to the tavern and found Lotus Blossom, mounted and waiting, with her gear packed efficiently on the back of her black- and white- speckled stallion. To Mika's surprise, Tam sat quietly at the horse's feet, looking almost normal. He wagged his tail happily at the sight of Mika, and his eyes grew bright as Mika approached.
"Ready, I see," rumbled Hornsbuck.
"Aye," replied Lotus Blossom, unable to meet Hornsbuck's gaze, as though she were embarrassed about something. "But there is a matter we needs discuss."
"Well, speak up, little woman," Hornsbuck said expansively. "What is it, some extra trinket you wish to take with us?"
"Nay, you ninny," growled Lotus Blossom, swinging around to glare at Hornsbuck. "And stow that 'little woman' business, or I'll shove your arm down your throat. The problem is bigger than a trinket. The stupid guard forbade me to leave town. I will go as I choose, but I do not wish harm to come to you and the boy, here."
Mika was stung at being called a boy, but not enough to challenge her.
"What did you do to deserve town quarantine?" asked Hornsbuck, seemingly no more than mildly curious.
"Oh, some little complaint about gambling with the caravans," said Lotus Blossom, waving her hand about vaguely. "Nothing of any importance."
"Cheating, no doubt," chuckled Hornsbuck. "Well, my plan will take care of that. Not to worry."
He would answer none of their questions, but bade them follow him. They rode toward the second gate, the one that led direcdy out onto the plains.