The next morning Cailin went to the stables to get Miri and settle her debt with Petra.  When she arrived, she found the stable hand cleaning Miri's stall and laying new straw for the next occupant.

"Where's my horse?", Cailin asked the man.  The stable hand turned to Cailin and pointed, "oh, Miss Petra took her around behind the stable, said she was gonna get her ready for ya'.  Ya know, Miss, I'm gonna miss that old mare.  She's a sweet old girl, hardly made a mess at all... a real pleasure takin' care of her."  Smiling at the man's remarks, "yes she is and thank you," and with that, Cailin turned and began walking toward where the man said she could find Miri and Petra.

When Cailin rounded the building, she was surprised to see Petra leaning against a loaded wagon pulled by a huge draft horse and Miri hitched to the rear.  "What's going on, what's all this, Petra?", Cailin asked the woman.  "'Bout time ye got 'ere, we've been waiting over an hour... decided to sleep in today, did ye?", Petra replied with a chuckle.  Before Cailin could say another thing, Petra continued, "ye know, I was up most of the night thinking 'bout what happened last evening, and I came up with the price of yer debt... decided I be going with ye."

"But...", Cailin began.  Petra held up her hand, silencing Cailin before she could say anther word, "that be me fee... and it be non-negotiable", Petra then crossed her arms in front her, giving her the look of stubborn, unyielding determination that the dwarfs are famous for.  "But what about the smithy and stables?, Cailin asked, "you've got a life here in Stoneport, what's going to become of that?"  Petra smiled, "oh, that... ... ... signed the deed over to Karl, me head apprentice this mornin', the place is 'is now. Lad's been me apprentice for almost fifteen years now, time he got out from under me skirts and move up in the world.  Shoulda seen 'is face, ye'd thought I handed 'im the keys to the king's castle."

Pausing to chuckle a little as she recalled the incident, Petra continued, "he'll do fine, the others look up to 'im and respect 'im.  Besides, if he starts slackin', Taralyn will whip 'im back in line."  "Taralyn?", Cailin inquired with a perplexed look.  "Aye, oh those two don't think anybody suspects, but I've seen the way the look at each other when they think no one else sees them... perhaps now that Karl is a man of means, he might just get the gumption to do something 'bout it.", Petra replied, then added, "and if he don't soon, no doubt Taralyn will."

"Any way, back to the point," Petra continued, "there be somethin' special 'bout ye and I aim to find out what it be.  If ye'll excuse the pun, ye still be a little wet behind them pointy ears of yers 'bout how this old world works and as ye said on the first night, ye'll be needin' an elder's sage advise to to guide ye along.  Been told that I be a pretty decent cook, too, and you could use a little more meat on them bones of yers if yer gonna swing that blade around.   Besides, ye be not the only one curious about what those runes say and I think I know where we might find somebody that can help us... if they be still alive.  But, it be a long trip and daylight be 'aburnin', so throw yer packs in the wagon let's be goin'."

"All right, you win this one, Petra," Cailin laughed as she threw her packs into the wagon, "but don't let it go to your head, O' wise elder."  Climbing onto the wagon to have a seat next to her new companion, Cailin spied the many large wooden barrels just behind the seat, "at least we won't go thirsty with all that water you packed."

Petra glanced over her shoulder at the barrels then turned back to Cailin, "water? ... ... ... Never drink the stuff, fish fornicate in it.  That be eight lovely, glorious treasure troves of the finest stout in Stoneport!  Besides, the path ahead is crisscrossed and dotted with more rivers, streams and lakes than ye can shake a stick at."  As Cailin took her seat, Petra glanced over to her and asked, "by the way, do ye like haggis?"  Turning her head toward the dwarf, Cailin asked, "haggis... what's haggis?"

Snapping the reins controlling the large draft horse, Petra replied, "probably best ye don't know... ... ... GIDDAP!!!"

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