After looking down at himself to admire the neatly tailored lines of his new outfit, Averdante gives Kuri a pleased smile. "It's very nice indeed, Mistress Kuri. Thank you for making your expertise available." While predominantly dark blue, there are accents in lighter shades that serve as both a touch of ornamentation, and draw attention to the fine fit. Adjustable lacings allow for easy movement as well; as she'd promised, he could move freely enough to fight if the need arose.

Not that he's looking to, anytime soon. He'd rather enjoy his new clothes a while before risking damage to them.

"You know, I think something this nice requires a nicer cloak than the one I have. And gloves to match, of course. Maybe a slightly... smokier... color?" Something a little mottled, perhaps, to break up an outline, just in case he has reason to follow someone surreptitiously one evening.

"You do embroidery, too, do you not? Given how well this has turned out, I'd be interested in having another set made, but embroidered. Something subtle and deceptively understated rather than boldly obvious." He has some ideas in mind, if he can arrange a time when she or one of her staff has the time to work it out, with him.

Volsh scratched his chin, thinking it would take a month just to get there.  If it was just himself, this would not be a great concern, but to embroil his companions to travel for a month with nothing but a few questions asked, and maybe some answers to show for it was asking a lot.

He stared at the map for a while longer, "Thank you, this was very helpful to me.  It seems to be quite the journey, so i shall have to make plans and acquire provisions.  Is there anything else you can tell me about the road there?  You mentioned bandits, are there any known hazards the wise traveler would avoid?"

Ironheart Forge



Master Ironheart calls back into the shop, and one of his apprentices leaves her task to come up to him.  "Miss, we can certainly do that.  Kayla, measure her for a mithral shirt," he says.  He turns to pick up what looks like a square of thin wood from a box nearby, as the apprentice Kayla whips out a tape measure and measures Lantamori's size.  She writes down the numbers on the proferred square of wood, then hands it back to Master Ironheart.

"I sold my last shirt to a fellow going north two days ago, but they're popular enough that I keep supplies on hand.  'Twill take me a week or so, once I get started three days hence, and I use a dash of magic to make certain everything is true and swift in its crafting.  Mithril's too dear to waste otherwise.  Costs about 1,300 gold, and I will need at least half up front before we start," he explains with a quirked eyebrow.

----

At Feld's Antiquities



The gnome gives a long-suffering sigh.  "Yes, yes they are.  Not by choice, I'll tell you that!  Some came in with a lot of stuff I purchased sight-unseen from someone acting as a broker.  Luckily I found them before they'd gotten too deep into my coffers, and chased them all out.  But even with the gold locked up, the bloody things think this is their home territory now.  Glib there keeps them to within manageable bounds until the druids in the park come up with a better place to stick them.  Or I sell them.  I've met a person or two that could think of a good use for some goldbugs.  One gold for the lot, if you want 'em."



Feld smiles at Haazheel's question.  "You certainly may."  He takes a key from the ring on his belt and unlocks the cabinet, lifting out the ring for Haazheel's perusal.  It would fit neatly on his left index finger.  "It has basilisk bone in it, and is some four hundred fifty years old, once belonging, far as my research has shown, to the Thangborn family who lived a trifle east of here.  They mostly merged with the Ullaras family through marriage about a hundred and fifty years ago, but you can still find a few Thangborns around.  Wild oats and distant cousins, for the most part.  The family was supposed to be lucky in hunting, but bad with their money, hence why they had to marry into a family who had it!  I have that ring priced at..." he bustles back behind the counter and looks through a ledger.  "Fifty gold pieces.  An old piece of history, good craftsmanship, unusual bone insert."



"Well and good.  A moment.  If you're going to be spending it all in town, or at least a goodly chunk of it, I'll give you markers from the Moneychanger's Guild for the amount.  The merchants here will take it, deduct from the amount, and when you're done buying, just go to the Guild and turn in the marker, and they'll give you the rest in coin while paying out the merchants what they are owed.  Easier by far than lugging about all that gold whilst doing one's business."  Feld pops off to a different part of the counter, and with some prompting by Sir Aberlayne, writes out nine separate markers, dividing the money equally.

"Our thanks, Feld.  I'll let my brother go spread the wealth," Sir Aberlayne says, handing out markers to everyone here.  "And I'll go find the others and make sure they get theirs.  A cart's not a bad idea, really.  And another mule or two to pull it.  Or even a horse.  Roscoe's Stables probably has both for sale."  With that Sir Aberlayne will bustle off on her self-appointed errand.

Those looking for regular adventuring gear have no trouble finding it in the Market Square.  The Brotherhood of Alchemy's Guildhall also has a small section devoted to the Mage's Guild.  Those seeking to buy scrolls can go check their boards and see what's available.

OOC:  There's a 75% chance of any first or second level spell available, go ahead and roll percentile dice on your own to see if they have what you want.

All other adventuring gear is at regular PHB prices.

---

Kuri Tailor's Shop



"Ah, smokier.  Stealthier?" she says slyly.  She claps to two of her apprentices, and they head back into the mounds of fabric that make up her shop, examining several selections they bring out, waving away a few before smiling at once.  She lays them out on the table for Averdante's perusal.  The cloak is heathered blue and gray, drifting almost dreamily from one shade to the other throughout the fabric.  The gloves tend closer to the blue, with hints of gray.

"Tight-woven, oiled wool, with a good hood, gloves similar, but much thinner.  They'll hold up against some fair storms and save you from the worst of a dousing.  Five gold for these two," she says.



"Of course!  I have patterns from several parts of the country, as well as elven, gnomish, and halfling designs.  Dwarven embroidery is mostly in precious metals, which isn't much called for in Redhaven.  You can take a look through my pattern books to see what suits you.  For a full suit of clothing will be twenty gold, and likely a fortnight before it's done," Kuri says.

---

Last night, at the Wild Angel Inn...



"Jaffen?" Brildeben prompts, and waits as Jaffen looks through his book and points at several things.  "Bandits yes, mmhmm, mmhmm...  Bugbear tribe with an ogre leader named Thonrick the Hewn haunts the road between Albon and the Stone Bridge, but disappears for months at a time.  Hmm.. ah, supposed to be a troll or three under the Stone Bridge.  The guards posted there heave goats under there every couple of days to keep them away.  Firegold Mountains supposed to be the haunt of red dragons, though you don't see them often.  But their offspring are around quite a bit.  More than one raider band lead by a half-dragon.  A couple rogue xorns, those are earth elementals, a sort of weird-looking creature that can swim through earth and rock like a fish through water.  Wyverns are always a problem.  A couple touchy small gods, The Agate Tortoise and the Well of Winds.  Hmm, that's about it."  Brildeben looks at Volsh.  "Most people can get through the mountains all right, provided they have a good guide and stick to the path.  You want to be careful of shouting too loud and causing landslips and avalanches.  Or falling off a cliff.  Or being in a gully during a rain and being swept away by a flash flood.  For all of that, it's not a harrowing trip, but one to be undertaken with caution."

Dellas takes the markers and thanks the man "I'll be off... please give the others their share and get a nice cart." He quickly is out the door and walks towards the Brotherhood of Alchemy's Guildhall, waiting for anyone who wishes to join.

He pays little attention to the building itself and enters at once, looking for the first person to ask for the board.
Eagerly he looks over the scrolls and other items available and frowns "Several spells I wanted to get are unavailable... maybe I can find someone to teach me?" He asks the next person if there is someone he could learn spells from after asking for the price of his chosen scrolls.

Alright... here are the scrolls I'd like:
- 2 Detect magic
- 3 Protection from Evil
- 2 Magic Missile

I'm looking for someone who can teach me:
- Magic Missile
- Continual Flame
- Shocking Grasp (though, I'm not sure with that one yet)

Haazheel carefully removes the ring and sets is gently down on the counter. "It fits, and it would be nice...but it's as I feared." He sighs. "Thank you for letting me try it on and for your accurate description."

He steps back and waits for the others.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Tue 06 June 2017.

"I do not believe we would need any goldbugs just now," Narthian says with a smile. "I am glad that you know what they are, and will leave them to the capable hands of the park druids."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:32, Tue 06 June 2017.

"That should suffice," Lantamori replied to the smith.  "We'll be heading out soon for a week or two so there's no hurry.

"Do you prefer payment in gemstones or gold?"

She didn't challenge his price.  She had the funds to cover it and there wasn't much else she was looking for.  If she found she could get better value in Albon, she'd remember that in the future.

Averdante just smiles at Kuri's speculative comment. She's clearly on target with his desires, though, given the selection she offers him. The cloak's variable coloration is ideal for breaking up an outline. "That looks perfect, Mistress Kuri. Thank you."

He's sure, likewise, that he can workout what he wants in something embroidered, as well. Pricey, which he'd expected, and maybe more so by the time he's done. Something in an existing pattern will probably be fine as the foundation, though, and gives him a place to start; it should help him pull a still somewhat nebulous idea into focus. "The time and cost isn't a problem," he assures the halfling tailor. This is a whim, after all, although it may find a useful purpose down the line as well. And what was the point of gaining wealth if one didn't indulge a little in finer things? "If you'll point me to your books, I'll see if I can find something I like."

Volsh nodded, wondering how he might traverse the roads on his own.  It would be risky, but he could not just assume he would have help.

'You gentlemen have been very helpful, can I buy you another drink?"

OOC: I can stop here if you want to move on.

Feld's Antiquities, and beyond...



The thin, studious half-elf fellow behind the counter at the sign of the Mage's Guild (which shares of a corner of the Brotherhood of Alchemy's Guildhall), will peruse down a ledger, and nod.  "The scrolls you want are twenty-five gold each.  I believe we have... two people with those other spells in their spellbook, Nadia Swift with magic missile and shocking grasp, and Kelwen Thok with continual flame.  Kelwen's involved in some creation right now, so he won't be available for two days, but Nadia will be available tomorrow.  Fees for teaching those spells will be fifty gold each spell, provided you have your own ink and writing supplies.  Shall I put you down on the schedule mister...?"



Feld nods. "I understand.  But if you change your mind, do come back!"



"Oh, believe me, the first time I met them I was much younger and more ignorant, and the results were...  Well, they were comical for anyone other than me.  Opening my chest of coins and there they are, all gold...bugs.  The merchant laughed until he was nearly sick, but that didn't let my debt off the hook!  Good luck to you all in your endeavors!"

---

Ironheart Forge



"Either will suit.  I know someone who can grade gemstones well, so I know what value I'm getting.  In this town, you get used to getting payment in all sorts of ways."  Master Ironheart will accept the payment in whatever way Lantamori will choose to pay, and then bring out two small thin metal tags.  These he will use a nail on to make symbols for Lantamori's purchase, name, date, and the amount of her payment.  One he hangs up on a pegboard full of similar tags, the other he gives to Lantamori.

"Just in case.  I've had adventurers show up weeks late due to problems on the road or with a job, and by then sometimes they've plumb forgot what they ordered or how much they owe."

---



Averdante can spend some time pouring over the design books until he finds something that he likes.  Elven designs tend towards stylized natural botanicals, with patterns of various leaves, trees, and flowers predominating.  Halfling styles tend to be more free-flowing, like water and paths, along with a lot of round symbols reminiscent of wagon wheels.  Gnome designs trend towards stylized forest animals, often with a humorous twist of one animal peeping out of unlikely places.  Human designs tend towards heraldry, making one's lineage or allegiance clear at a glance.  Dwarven designs are much more regular and blocky, like stone, but very intricate within their rigid forms.  The few orc designs Mistress Kuri has incorporate weapons, skulls, or animal tracks in different stylized forms.

Once he's found what he likes, he can then find his way back to the Guildhall, where the others have drifted after their various endeavors.

---

Last night, the Wild Angel Inn



"A friendly drink is always welcome," Brildeben says, and Jaffen nods eagerly.  They signal for more drinks, and clink them with Volsh's when they arrive.  "To you quest," he says.  He sets down his mug after taking a gulp and regards Volsh seriously.

"Volsh, I may be giving you advice unwarranted, but Jaffen knows that a fellow like yourself, strong and tough and scarred and bearing an Adventurer's Guild badge wouldn't just be seeking out information for the sake of it.  If this were for a job, well, I'm guessing you'd have more of your group than yourself here to get the information.  So this is for you.  If your group is anything like the fine folks Jaffen and I have traveled with, I doubt they will begrudge you seeking out something so important to you.  If they are true friends, they will even come with you.  Albon is a big country, but there is much to do everywhere.  I have no doubt that you could find a few jobs to bring you within easy striking distance of those you seek.  If I'm poking my nose where it's not wanted, then I'll take my carcass elsewhere with apologies, but if there's some threat out there, don't wait for them to show up on a job board."  Brildeben smiles, and Jaffen gives Volsh a little salute.

They'll listen to the next song, then depart back to their own table.

--

OOC: Let's move back to the Guildhall thread.  Assume Sir Aberlayne was able to find everyone and give them their 550gp from the collective lute at some point during the day so you can pick up whatever else you'll think you'll need.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Wed 21 June 2017.

Dellas purchases a few scrolls "It's alright, I take these scrolls. Thank you." Without taking the service of the other wizards he turns to leave for the Guildhall.

Lantamori, the stables most recommended in town is Roscoe's Stables.  Heading over there, a highly cheerful half-elf woman meets you.  Her bright red hair is pulled back in a tail, and there are smile lines at the corners of her green eyes.  She might be middle-aged, but is fit and lean, wearing sturdy leather trousers and boots and a tough linen shirt.

"Welcome to Roscoe's Stables!  I'm Hillane Obsfor...  Ah, I recognize you!  Your group rented those horses for that trip out of town a week or so ago.  Tell me your name again, and what you're looking for, and I'll see what we have."

Once Lantamori has let it be known she's in the market for a mount (and is new to riding), Hillane nods. "Ah, so no warhorses then.  All right, let's go see what we have."  She'll lead Lantamori around to the barns and paddocks in the back, heading into one barn in particular and stopping in front of a pair of mounts.  One is the color of buckskin with a dark, nearly black mane and tail, while the other is dark brown with a long white blaze on its face.  "These are both palfreys; smaller horses with a smooth gait, well-suited to your height.  The buckskin is a gelding, and we call him Talent.  He's a sweet boy, a good swimmer, and is very gentle.  The mare with the blaze is Jess.  She's very calm and will do about anything for an apple.  I also have Red."  She points out into a paddock where a speckled roan is rolling in the grass.  "He's also a gelding, a bit younger than the other two, a bit friskier, but well-trained."

If asked about the price, any of the three horses can be had for 75 gold.  Basic tack is at the usual price, but Hillane will point out a small selection of more decorated tack and blankets.  The blankets are woven in several different colors and patterns ("from Crosston's weavers," Hillane will explain) and can be had for 10 gold.  The saddles and tack can be dyed to order in a couple days for 8gp above the usual cost.

The composite longbow Lantamori would like to get can be gotten at Felthorn's Bowyer and Fletching, right next door to Master Ironheart's shop.

Lantamori tried not to be distracted by the decorative tack and asked, "How much different is it to ride a warhorse?  We are expecting trouble on our next ride."

She'd just spent a few weeks in the saddle riding out and back to the Fen and wanted to think she wasn't that new to riding.  If war horses weren't too much of a difference, it might be advantageous to have one.  They were, after all, expecting to fight alongside the caravan in it's defense.

After watching Lantamori with the horses, Hillane chuckles.  "All right, all right, forgive my assumptions!  You have some good skill.  The main differences between a palfrey and a warhorse are size and training.  Even a light warhorse is broader in the beam than most riding horses, because they're designed to take people in armor, often heavy armor.  And they have their commands to attack of course.  Different knee-squeezes and rein commands, a few with verbal commands, depending on who trained them.  Come with me to the other barn."

She takes Lantamori past several stalls of hulking horses that seem more suited to carrying a half-orc in full plate than anything else, to several smaller versions.  None are as dainty as the palfreys she had seen, but they are smaller than the monsters at the other end of the barn.  There's one which is a solid dark brown all over, a slightly smaller one who's entirely white, except for a black mask, a very solid fellow in dappled gray, and a tall cream-colored one with a brown mane and tale.  Hillane says, "The brown one here is just being stabled, but the other three are available.  The white is Mask, not surprisingly.  She's the smallest we have, but a little older.  She's seen a few things.  Her owner sold her to us when he muscled up and started wearing heavier armor.  The dapple is Rockbreaker.  Used to be owned by a dwarf axemaiden, so he's well used to wearing armor himself.  The cream is Cloud, fresh from training, a very eager little lady."  Hillane pats Cloud with a smile and turns to Lantamori.  "Any of these interest you?"

The elf held her hand out to the cream colored horse to stroke it's neck.

"I'd like to try this one," she said sliding her hand down to it's shoulder.  "I don't think I'll be putting any armor on her and that one with the mask looks like it would make off with my gear in the middle of the night."

Bruenor takes his leave of the others at the Guild Hall, and walks down to Roscoe's Stables.  Seeing the elf there he shouts out a greeting as he approaches..."Hail Lantamori! That's a good looking mount.  Pretty solid, too."

He pats the cream colored horse's flank, and turns to look at the proprietor.  "When you've finished with the lady, perhaps I can ask your assistance?"

Lantamori can get Cloud a nice set of blankets and gear, and can spend some time over the next few days getting to know her.  She's indeed eager, and sometimes has to be reined back from going too fast, but seems to be good-natured and wants to please.

--

Bruenor, Hillane will take your measure after she gets done with Lantamori, questioning you about your riding experience and what sort of fighting you intend on doing and in what armor.  She'll even have you mount a couple of their training mounts (both riding horses and warhorses) to watch you ride.  When she hears you have full plate, she sucks her breath in through her lips and nods solemnly.

"I'd recommend a heavy warhorse for you.  You're a big man, you have heavy armor, and you have enough training and riding experience that it'd be useful for you to have a horse who won't run away if you're confronted with a bandit attack or something."  Hillane will take you to the other end of the barn, where the tall, broad warhorses with their heavy muscles and broad heads are waiting.  "Most of these are being stabled, but I have four available right now."  She taps the stall of a brown horse with a white star on its forehead.  "Comet, about six months out of training, he'll serve you well for years to come."  Turning to a silvery-gray horse, who nudges his head out to snuffle her and you, she says, "Silver, very friendly, will do about anything for an apple or a carrot, but he's a whirlwind on the road."  The next stall has a nearly white horse with black socks.  "This is Jack.  His trainer works with dogs as well as horses, so he gets along with other animals very well, if that's a concern."

Hillane hesitates slightly before touching the last stall, but does it anyway, and is rewarded by a squeal and the thud of a kick on the back wall as an all-black horse is briefly visible in the dimness of the barn.  This horse is exceptionally tall, and its teeth gleam unusually white.  And sharp.  "This is Demon.  Supposedly his great-great-grandam was a nightmare, and as far as we can tell it's true.  In addition to whatever grazing and grain he gets, he will hunt and eat flesh about once a week.  Usually a rat or a squirrel, just so you know.  He's ill-tempered, but if you know his commands, he's death on four hooves if you ask it of him.  And I expect once he finds an owner who'll keep him for more than a month he may settle down some.

"So, any of these beauties interest you?"

Satisfied with her latest jaunt with Cloud, Lantamori returned her to the stable and brushed the mare down.  She was quite pleased with the horse and the decorative tack that she'd picked out.  She was looking forward to their trip and hoped that Cloud was as well.

After settling the horse, the elf headed next door to see if her bow was ready.  Her short bow had just not looked right while astride her new beast and Felthorn's told her that what she wanted would be ready today.  They'd needed a few days to craft one to match her pull.  She was quite looking forward to seeing how it turned out.

She headed over to the bowyer next door to see if it was ready.

Felthorn's Bowyer and Fletching has her bow and arrows ready for her, the bowyer in question looking pleased as he shows her the draw and points out the streaks from the compositing process.  "Yew and good horn from landshark plates.  Just need a touch, but it works wonders for really going the distance with an arrow, or getting it in deep enough that some bastard knows he's been hit, eh?  And fine ash arrows with gray goose flights, two quivers for you.  May you use them well!" he says, and takes her payment with a flourish.

Averdante will, if possible, arrange to visit Roscoe's for a mount and a pack animal with Sir Aberlayne. He knows only the basics of handling a horse -- mostly learned on the trip to Fen-on-Fen and back again, so he'd prefer to have an experienced eye along to steer him toward the right mount.

No offense to the staff at the stable, but he trusts the opinion of someone he knows over a stranger's -- particularly a stranger who is trying to sell him something. Not to mention she's already proven her skills at bargaining; hopefully buying a pair of animals and their gear will gain him a discount over the prices of each individually.

In his lessons with the paladin, he wants to insure he can use his bow without spooking the beast -- and that Preet's presence, regardless of size, causes no alarm.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:14, Wed 19 July 2017.

Sir Aberlayne will happily give her opinion on mounts recommended by Hillane.  "Considering how far we're going, it might not be a bad idea to have a warhorse," Aberlayne says. "Even if you haven't fought on horseback, at least the horse will be more able to defend themselves, and if you get hurt, you can have your beast fight for you.  Warhorses are a bit steadier too, less nervy."  Sir Aberlayne takes a look at the two remaining light warhorses (as Averdante, as an elf who wears lighter armor, doesn't need one of the heavier beasts).  "Mask is the older one, so he's likely seen enough things that he will be much less inclined to balk at anything.  Rockbreaker looks like he's a bit tougher, likely more hardy."  She watches as Averdante as he gets a chance to mount both beasts and take a quick turn about a corral.  "I'd say Mask; he'll stay steady under you through a thunderstorm."

Of the pack animals, they're much of a type, mostly differing shades of brown, with occasional stars, blazes, and/or socks.  They're bred for strength, docility, and stoic demeanor, and she can find you a gentle one named Polly easily.

A warhorse seems excessive, but then, Dante has little experience with horses. He'll follow the paladin's advice. At the very least, there should be no issues with the snap of a bowstring startling the animal. The white color isn't particularly appealing; aside from likely showing every least bit of dirt, she'll fairly glow in the dark.

Still, old enough to be steady does pretty well match his preference for a quiet, undemanding ride -- and one that won't unexpectedly move and spoil his aim. Now whether he can stay on if she gets involved in a fight... that, he's probably going to have to learn the hard way.

The choice of pack horse, too, he accepts; it's a horse, to his eye, and that's the extent of the qualifications he can assess. The paladin knows the beasts, not he. Turning to Hilane, he tells her, "I'm inclined to follow Sir Aberlayne's recommendations. She probably knows what I need better than I do, where horses are concerned. What will it cost for the pair of them, with whatever gear is needed so they can serve their purpose?"

Whatever the answer is, he intends to confirm with Sir Aberlayne that the price is fair, or if there's something more to it that he should ask about. He's not concerned with the animals gear being new, or particularly fancy -- only that it's safely serviceable.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Tue 25 July 2017.

Bruenor nods, and considers the four horses.  He peers back into the last stall and looks at the black horse again.  He's realizes he's likely personifying the creature, but he can't help seeing something of himself in it.  Perhaps misunderstood; struggling to fit in; searching for acceptance.

He answers quicker than he should..."This one.  Demon.  Can you teach me his commands?"

Hillane nods and opens the stall.  While she's not fearful, she's definitely less easy than she was with the other horses.  She motions you back as she takes Demon's halter and leads the snorting horse out into the corral.  Demon pauses once and tries to rear, and she shouts at him, "Behave you misbegotten son of a she-devil!"  Curiously, that seems to impress Demon, and he gets to the corral without further incident.

Once there, Hillane will hold Demon's head and talk over the combination of rein-signals, leg motions, and verbal commands (in a harsh, unfamiliar tongue) that signal Demon's various war maneuvers.  Hoof slashes and bites, high kicks and bites, charges and tramples, she had Bruenor mount up and try them against some straw-stuffed dummies.

Demon is not easy to handle, but point him at a target and he is quick to pounce.

"If you want him, I'd recommend a little friendly bribery in the form of jerky or some other meat instead of fruit, sugar, or carrots, if you need to sweeten his temper," Hillain says.  "He hasn't tried to bite you, so I'd say he likes you."

Demon turns his head to direct an eye at Bruenor, snorts, and flips his head aloofly, a lock of his black mane falling just above his eye like a vain young man.

"Well, then?" Hillane asks.

Bruenor chuckles as Demon snorts and gives him a look that one can only describe as 'full of attitude'.  Bruenor's got a bead of sweat running down his back from the intense session riding the horse, but he's a capable enough rider to have managed.  The techniques and commands Hillane shared with him seemed to work well enough, and like with most animals, the communication should only get better with time.

At Hillane's suggestion, Bruenor rummages in his pack and pulls out a dried portion of meat...trail rations...and holds it out towards Demon's muzzle.  It's not fresh, but he thought it'd do for a snack.

He reaches out to pat the horse's black, shiny neck, "That's it, boy.  We'll have some adventures, yet, I think."

Realizing he hadn't yet answered Hillane, he nods and says, "Yes...I'll take him."