The Accident
Copyright© 2016 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 6
Thank whatever gods there be that the livery stable was just a two block trot.
The hostler was all grins and giggles.
“I see you deceased the local bad guys,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
“Wanna buy these horses?” I said. “I wanna sell.”
“Got plenty,” he said.
I looked at the dozen or so empty stalls. The floors were swept but the place smelled of old occupants, stale piss and dusty straw.
“They’re out,” he lied. Straight faced, too.
“Well ... I’ll be moving along, then.” I said. “The next town might be more hospitable ... and need horses such as these ... with tack.”
“Hold on there, youngster,” the liveryman said. “I might maybe could.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you out,” I said, straight faced as I lied right back at him.
Of course I wanted to put him out ... Chaos is like that ... yes it is. Every businessman is in the business of business ... buy low, sell high. Or ... sell to me, it’s junk ... sell to you, it’s priceless.
When trading you both need to feel you got the better deal.
“Tell you what ... I’ll keep these two,” I nodded at the the linebacked dun and the buckskin ... I’ll take a shell for the other two and two pinches for the tack ... each.” I paused, he might have had other ideas but I moved downwind. It takes a lot to gag a Chaosian ... but the leathers proved equal to the task... “And the haymow for the night,” I said. “You wouldn’t happen to have a wench about. It’s been a powerful long time and I have a full load.”
“Happen I do ... she’s yours for the night ... four pinches,” rather pleased with himself, he grinned at me.
I was reluctant ... but ashes hauling is ashes hauling and I professed a powerful need.
You see ... the wench was Holly Homemaker and the hostler was her captor. When Val said this one was easy ... she wasn’t kidding.
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