Dragon's Fire

They quickly got the saddle on Blaze's back and the halter on her head, and Talon packed the equipment from her pack into her saddlebags.

"Ya know, I'll never understand how you can ride without a bridle and a bit," Ken commented as they finished and walked toward the office, Blaze following behind them.

"It's not necessary. Blaze will take me anywhere I want to go, and she'll do what I tell her to without one, won't you, girl?" The horse nodded and whinnied. "I don't need one, and I'd rather rely on her instincts than mine any day."

"Whatever you say," Ken shrugged. "It's your horse."

Once in the office, with Blaze standing outside the door waiting, Talon removed four gold pieces from her pouch and handed them to Ken.

"Hey, wait a minute. I only said three," he protested.

"I know," she replied, "but you do enough for me that you deserve some extra. Besides, it's still cheaper than what I would pay at a "better" stable for worse service. And where else would I find a stable that Blaze would stay in? She likes you, for some reason." She smiled at him and told him, "Just keep the extra gold. Thanks again." With that, she walked out of his office, took the reins on Blaze's halter and began to lead her toward the gate that the Inn was near, talking softly the entire time.

"We're going to be helping someone, girl. He seems kinda strange, but I'm curious about him, so we're gonna see what we can do for him. He says his name's Shadow, and he's a cleric. You know, one of those religious guys who fight a little and do some divine magic, too? Well, this one seems to be having some trouble with his magic, and he thinks I can help for some reason. I'm gonna go see if he's ready to leave as soon as we get to the inn. What I want you to do is 'run away' here in a couple minutes." Blaze whinnied softly in response to that, almost questioning. "Well, girl, I'm gonna take you to the city gate, and I want you to go about 200 feet into the woods and wait for me to whistle, okay? I don't want you standing around on the street in front of the inn. Understand?" Talon looked at her horse, and Blaze nodded her head and nickered. "Okay, girl. Well, there's the gates. I'll be out in a little while, okay?" The horse nodded again and trotted out of the gates and into the woods.