Page 76 of The Seeker

My gaze scoured the food stalls. Knowing my brother, he would head straight for the meat-on-a-stick options, so I slowed my walk around those carts, my nose twitching at the decadent scent of roasted meat. Although it was still early, the street was already alive, steam rising from each cart as the merchants prepared their specialties. While there was more room to maneuver between the carts than there had been the previous afternoon, the market was filling fast.

I walked up and down the street, searching for a head of dark brown hair that matched mine. After a few passes by the same few stands, I decided it was time to ask for help.

“Excuse me, sir.” I cleared my throat, trying to grab the attention of the man working the grill.

He glanced up, his light eyed gaze connecting with mine. “One rabbit skewer?” He held up what was in his hand.

Although I wasn’t hungry, I didn’t want to appear rude and I passed over a coin as I asked my question, “Have you seen a man who looks a lot like me? Same eyes, same hair, but he’s slightly taller? Answers to the name Milo?”

The man scratched his beard, handing me the skewer. I nibbled on the edge, flavor exploding in my mouth. My stomach still wasn’t happy about the double dose of poison, but it didn’t balk either.

“I can’t say that I have but—Hey, Joe!” He called across the way, the man over the grill looking up. “She’s looking for a man who looks like her, I know I’ve seen him around, you see him today?”

The man squinted and I took another bite of my skewer. Though I knew I needed to eat more, it was a challenge to swallow.

“Ah, I think I have! He was just here.” He regarded at the patrons standing in front of his grill, waiting to have their order prepared. “I think he said he was leaving town, ordered extra to go!”

My heart dropped into my stomach. He’d said he had to work today. He’d lied too. Again. My stomach soured, there was no way I’d be able to finish eating now.

I turned back to the man who had prepared the rabbit. “I need to travel to Heimland. Where can I find a ride?”

He pointed to the end of the street. “Horse depot is there. You might also be able to bargain with others offering space in their cart in exchange for coin.”

“A horse is fine,” I lied. “Thank you!” I shouted before jogging down the street.

It was difficult to run with the skewer in one fist and my bag in the other, and though it hurt to waste food, I tossed it down one of the alleys, hoping a hungry animal would at least enjoy it.

I had to find my brother before it was too late.

CHAPTER 25

The horse depot was easy to find. It was a large stable spanning the end of several of the city streets, with wooden-fence corrals extending out in either direction. Horses of every shape and size watched, their dark eyes following my motions as I ran past. There was a man in a suit standing behind a haphazardly constructed wooden podium in the center, his gaze fixed on something resting on the tilted surface.

I skidded to a stop. “I need a ride to Heimland.”

He glanced up, his gaze dark as he evaluated me. He wasn’t old, but he wasn’t young either, a bushy mustache moving from side to side as he evaluated me. “One way? Or are you coming back?”

I honestly hadn’t considered it, but I knew there was nothing more for me here, as much as it pained me to realize it. “One way.”

“You’re looking to buy a horse then. The options are in that corral.” He motioned to his left side.

There were several horses in the pen, most worse for wear, with patchy coats and tired-looking dull manes. A black horse in the back was the only one that appeared sleek and ready for the journey. “How much for the black one?”

“Fifty-seven coin. Fifty-nine with a simple saddle.”

With a grimace, I pulled up my half-empty gold pouch, counting out the coin on the counter. When I was finished, there were only three coins left. I dumped them into my hand, slipping them in my pocket before sliding the fifty-nine coins back into the pouch and offering them to the man.

He tore a page from the ledger. “Here you are. Help yourself. The saddles are on the fence, pick any one you want.”

Following his directions, I meandered along the fence scouring for the best saddle. Like the horses, they’d all seen better days, the leather worn, and the attached pouches often threadbare. I managed to find one that would work, slinging it over my shoulder as I entered the paddock with the horses.

I’d never been a horse person, and I was disappointed there was no help offered to place the saddle on the black horse. But lucky for me, the horses all had bridles on, so it was easy to walk up to the black horse and tug her toward the entrance. I tied her to the exterior of the corral so I could arrange the saddle on her back.

The horse, while the best looking in the corral, was docile, not minding one bit as I petted her nose, then placed the saddle on her. In fact, she seemed like she wanted to come with me.

“I sure hope you can run fast,” I whispered in her ear as I looped the bag with the vials through one of the metal hoops on the saddle and filled my waterskin at pump, looping it through the opposite side of the saddle. I hoped Ena would forgive me for taking it since it technically belonged to both of us.

I used the bottom rung of the corral fence to boost myself on her back, yanking the bridle to steer her toward the road. It wasn’t the most comfortable setup, but it would do.