"I don't think it has to look too good," Jigano mused, shaking his head gratefully - and kicking the bridle aside with a hoof. "It went alright before, when you were talking to the vizier, even when he protested." The horse followed his friend, ears perked to try and catch the sounds from outside to give them a clue what to expect, but all he could pick up was a sort of general 'bustle' - distant voices but nothing distinct, the sound of movement but not specific motions. Still, just having the bit gone and no longer a threat put him in a more amiable mood.
He watched Samuel straighten his back, amused and a little proud of his companion for gaining his confidence in the middle of an adventure. The courtyard faded into view around them as they walked to the stable door, and things had changed in their absence. The king and his entourage were gone, but a covered wagon with a pair of guards now stood beside the stable. And, almost as if on cue, the vizier came striding from the palace, followed by an armsman with a net of shining silver catching the late afternoon sunlight in his hands.
His smile was small and just a little mocking as he came to stand before Samuel, even as Jigano took up place behind his friend, ready to offer help if it became necessary. "The net you requested, master huntsman." A peremptory gesture had the armsman moving to secure the net to Jigano's saddle, the horse's skin twitching at the nearness of the strange man as he tried to hold himself still. "And the gold is in the cart. I do look forward to your success. For your sake, at least. The king is not kind to those who fail him..." With that ominous message delivered the vizier's smile widened and he made a little shooing motion with one well-manicured hand. "I shouldn't keep you, of course. I'm sure you have far to travel before the sun sets!"
He watched Samuel straighten his back, amused and a little proud of his companion for gaining his confidence in the middle of an adventure. The courtyard faded into view around them as they walked to the stable door, and things had changed in their absence. The king and his entourage were gone, but a covered wagon with a pair of guards now stood beside the stable. And, almost as if on cue, the vizier came striding from the palace, followed by an armsman with a net of shining silver catching the late afternoon sunlight in his hands.
His smile was small and just a little mocking as he came to stand before Samuel, even as Jigano took up place behind his friend, ready to offer help if it became necessary. "The net you requested, master huntsman." A peremptory gesture had the armsman moving to secure the net to Jigano's saddle, the horse's skin twitching at the nearness of the strange man as he tried to hold himself still. "And the gold is in the cart. I do look forward to your success. For your sake, at least. The king is not kind to those who fail him..." With that ominous message delivered the vizier's smile widened and he made a little shooing motion with one well-manicured hand. "I shouldn't keep you, of course. I'm sure you have far to travel before the sun sets!"
