Shadeborn: A Book of Underrealm Read Online Free PDF

will need a horse, unless you wish to be tied across the back of Midnight’s saddle.”
    After readying the steeds, they went to see about a horse for Chet. They found Mag already busy in the inn’s common room, her well-muscled arms glistening with sweat as she bussed trays from tables to kitchen. She stopped when saw that they sought her attention and came to speak with them at the bar.
    “We need a horse for Chet,” said Loren. “Do you know where we might find one from an honest seller, who will not give us some beast with a cracked hoof?”
    “Why, beneath this roof,” said Mag. “ Sten !”
    Her roar was sudden and sharp, as per her custom. It always made Loren jump. Her husband bustled out from the kitchen, wiping flour from his great arms with a greased rag, his bushy eyebrows drawn together and his wide mouth muttering darkly.
    “Sky above, Mag, how many times have I told you not to bray after me like some donkey?”
    “And how many times have I told you how I love my little ass?” said Mag, though she stood a full hand shorter. “See to the common room, will you? These two need a horse.”
    “The chestnut from that southern man?” said Sten.
    “The same. And one last thing.” Mag seized his collar and pulled him down for a quick kiss. But when she tried to pull away, Sten wrapped his arms around her and lifted Mag high enough to burrow his thick beard in her neck.  
    Loren and Chet looked away, shifting on their feet. Mag squealed like a girl while giving him a chop to the ribs. Sten groaned and dropped her like an overfull sack.
    “The customers!” she snapped, unable to hide her smile. “I shall be but a minute.”
    Mag took them back to the stables. It held more than a dozen stalls. Most were full, four with the beasts Loren and her friends had brought. Near the back was a giant chestnut with a flowing golden mane. Loren had seen it once or twice as she came in and out.
    “Two southern men came through here some weeks ago, from Idris or some such, each of them riding a horse. They had to sell one to pay for the rest of their passage north. ’Tis a good enough beast—no warhorse, but no swaybacked farm animal, either.”
    “Why did you buy it?” said Chet. “Do you often go riding?”
    “Any innkeeper buys a horse what’s for sale,” said Mag. “A good bit of business, horseflesh. Often the folk who come through my doors need a steed for their journey.”
    “And we shall pay handsomely,” said Loren firmly.
    Mag pursed her lips. “Not handsomely, though I cannot give him for free. You know I will take no coin for your room and board, but a horse is another matter. Ten gold weights I paid. ’Tis what I will take from you and not one more. Just passing him on, so to speak.”
    “And if we were any other travelers, how much would we pay then?” Loren folded her arms.
    “That I shall keep to myself, if it is all the same to you.”  
    “It is not. But so be it. Ten gold weights, as you say.”  
    After grasping wrists to seal the pact, Mag returned to Sten in the common room while Loren went to their room upstairs. She took ten gold weights from her purse and placed them in a spare one. After a moment’s thought, she added an additional five. She did not know if it was a fair price—if anything, it seemed somewhat high. But the extra could pay for their food and rooms, for Mag had been too generous. It left them with less coin than she liked, but Loren would have to worry later. They had enough to reach Jordel’s brethren in Feldemar, and that was all that mattered.
    With Chet by her side, Loren returned to the common room where Mag stood speaking with a customer at the bar. She threw the spare coin purse to Mag, who scarcely looked up as she caught it with a deft hand. She did not stop speaking nor open the purse to look inside. Satisfied, Loren went to her corner table, where Albern, Xain, and the children were tucking in for lunch.
    “I have fetched as many provisions as