As they exited the city p-Mayard said, “If weather’s good, we should make it in two or three days.”
Rhiann commented, “If we make it at all… Uncle Mayard speaks of highwaymen and brigands looking for easy marks.”
The Shapechanger replied, “I’m familiar with such blokes. Most aren’t willing to mess with a sorcerer, Boss. Mayard Klarje has nothing to worry about, if you ask me.”
Rhiann said with relief, “And you look like Mayard Klarje.”
The pseudo-Mayard quickly replied, “But more importantly, you are Mayard Klarje. Mind you, I’d rather be in young Rhiann’s shoes and soaking in the plushness of the Hanging Gardens and the closeness of beautiful Decima. I managed to pick out two good phi gamms to pull the wagon. Helene and Curtis… the stable master named after his spouse’s parents. The miners will have to like the goods we brought them. How much do you trust that dwarf Roswell?”
Rhiann replied, “More than I trust the Council of Thynna. He’s working on something my family has been seeking since the time of the first sorcerer Cydney Klarje. Cydney dreamed of an artifact buried deep in the Copper Mountains. Mayard… uh, I heard of the miners’ discovery in my youth. Finally talked old Forty-niner to part with it. It’s going to cost me these gems from the Gem Bush. He wants them for his daughter Clementine.”
p-Mayard said, “I wouldn’t cross Forty-niner. He’s meaner than Clifton Clowers, the chieftain of the wild tribe that inhabits Wolverine Mountain.”
Rhiann said, “It’s my intention to treat him fairly.”
The Shapechanger replied, “I’m hoping he returns the favor.”
benjamintowe 