by Duke Kittle
Chapter 10
The sound of Kravek's hooves descending the stairs was as distinct as an Akoan's presence among the Likonian town folk. Tina had already risen and was waiting for Kravek under the stairs, which made it all the easier to hear him descend. She closed the small tome from which she'd been reading and tucked it into the rucksack tied around her shoulders. Coming out from under the stairs, she whistled to get Kravek's attention.
Kravek turned his head when he heard the whistle and approached the bar counter. Tina wondered if Kravek had any other clothes with him aside from his lizard hide pants and that load-bearing harness which didn't cover anything of his upper torso. At least the pants looked as though they’d been cleaned.
Kravek stopped in front of the counter and rested his hand on it next to Tina with his palm turned up. Tina adjusted her glasses as she looked up at him but didn't climb onto his hand.
Kravek looked at her curiously. He then realized why she might be hesitating and lifted his hand from the bar and took a step back. Picking up one leg, he balanced on one hoof. “Don't worry. I won't be breaking any more doors for awhile.”
Tina giggled and rose to her feet. “I'm glad to hear it. Also, good morning, Kravek. I hope you had a good night's sleep.”
Kravek nodded. “I'm satisfied with it.” He set his hoof down and put his hand next to Tina. When she hopped into it, he lifted her up to his shoulder and let her jump off. Standing on his shoulder, Tina could see Kravek had a backpack attached to his load-bearing harness. Kravek raised one of his large ears and held it over Tina. “Where to?”
“The front gate. Lieutenant Copaire sent word earlier this morning she would be waiting for us there.” Tina seated herself and folded her hands in her lap.
Kravek nodded. “Well, best not keep her waiting.” He started to turn, but Tina tugged his ear.
“Hold on, Kravek. You haven't eaten breakfast yet, and there's the matter of your pay.” She pointed under the stairs where a cloth bag rested. “I decided to cover two stones in one bound.”
Kravek chuckled. He picked up the cloth bag and removed his backpack. He checked the contents of the cloth bag first and rubbed the end of his nose. “I'll wait on breakfast. My eyes and my stomach don't agree right now.” He closed the bag and put it into his backpack. “But thank you.”
Tina shrugged her shoulders. “Not many people work just for a meal, Kravek.”
“Don't they?” He glanced at her on his shoulder with both eyebrows raised as he put his backpack on his load-bearing harness.
“Good point.” She took hold of one of his ears and climbed up to the top of his head. Rearranging his mane a little, Tina made herself comfortable as she sat down in the soft hair facing backward on Kravek's head. She pointed toward the door behind Kravek whose back faced the front of the building. “Forward!”
Kravek chuckled as he headed out.
After leaving the Stumble Drum, the walk to the front gate had been short. Lieutenant Copaire was already waiting outside with a long strider standing next to her. Tina took a moment to observe the beast. It had long arms and long legs with which to stride. A layer of turquoise scales covered its body with light blue striations resembling an Idassian tiger's stripes which ran all the way down its thick tail. While it had sharp teeth and claws, the beast looked amiable as the mink ran her fingers through the short, sharp-looking hairs on the back of its head.
Tina rose on top of Kravek's head and bowed as the bull came to a stop a few feet away from her. “Good morning, Lieutenant.”
The mink turned away from her strider with her bushy, copper-colored tail sweeping behind her. Tina noted the cloth ties on the lieutenant’s tail which held the otherwise free-flowing, bushy fur in check. She cut a brisk salute, apparently unfazed by Tina's appearance. “Lieutenant Luna Copaire. I understand we're heading north.”
Tina nodded. “That's right, Lieutenant. I will call you Luna if you have no objections.”
The mink looked surprised but pleased. “I would be honored.”
Tina smiled appreciatively, then glanced down at Kravek. “I can summon a mount for you.”
Kravek started to shake his head but caught himself when he remembered Tina was there. He glanced up toward her. “No need. I can keep up with a long strider.”
Tina tilted her head for a moment. Remembering the hill country of Akoa, she thought to herself that she shouldn't be surprised an Akoan would be able to keep pace with a strider. She seated herself. “Very well.” Tina returned her gaze to Luna. “You know the way to this place called Dragon's Mouth?”
Luna nodded and swept up onto her long strider's back, taking its reins in hand. “Little Bit is ready.”
Tina wiggled her whiskers, unaware of what Luna meant. She hesitated for a moment and wondered if Luna was making some kind of joke over Tina's diminutive stature. “Little Bit?”
Luna nodded and patted her long strider's neck. “Even after a long ride, she always seems able to go a little bit farther.”
Tina giggled. “That's cute.” She cleared her throat and pointed north. “Well then, if all are ready, let us proceed.”