Chapter 321: The Mountain Tribes (1) The Visit
Lyan made his way to the castle stables, the morning light casting long shadows across the courtyard. The recent victory over the mountain barbarians had bolstered their numbers with captured horses, and Lyan wanted to check on their new acquisitions. As he entered the stable, a loud, rhythmic noise caught his attention. He turned the corner to find an unexpected sight.
There, in one of the larger stalls, was Shadow, Lyan’s black stallion, engaging in intercourse with not one, but two mares. Shadow was a magnificent creature, strong and aggressive, with a coat as dark as midnight and eyes that seemed to gleam with intelligence. The mares, newly captured from the barbarians, were both robust and healthy, their coats glistening in the low light.
Lyan couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. "Looks like someone’s enjoying the spoils of war more than anyone else," he remarked, shaking his head in amusement. Shadow snorted, seeming to acknowledge Lyan’s presence without breaking his rhythm.
Lara and Tara, who had been accompanying Lyan, stood nearby, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and curiosity. They had never seen such a powerful and majestic horse, let alone one so... vigorous.
"Shadow... very strong," Lara said, her voice tinged with admiration. She leaned closer to the stall, watching with fascination.
Tara nodded, her expression one of pure awe. "Big... very big," she whispered, her eyes fixed on Shadow’s impressive form. "He strong. Good for tribe."
Lyan smirked, glancing at the two women. "He’s certainly got a lot of energy," he said, crossing his arms. "But let’s leave him to it. We’ve got a journey to prepare for."
The preparations for the journey to the mountain tribes’ village were swift. Lyan and his companions gathered supplies, ensuring they had everything needed for the trip and the potential challenges ahead. Among the group was Tesha, the half-halfling child who had quickly become a cherished member of their strange family. Tesha was eager to see the mountains and meet the tribes, her eyes shining with excitement.
As they set out, they were escorted by fifty hobgoblin skeletons clad in armor, each riding a horse. The sight of the skeletal warriors, armor clinking and horses snorting, was both eerie and impressive. The group moved in a well-organized formation, the skeletons riding in pairs, flanking Lyan and his companions.
The journey was long, but the group kept their spirits high with lively conversation. Tesha, perched on a horse beside Belle, peppered the adults with questions about the mountains and the tribes they were about to meet.
"Do they have big houses like ours?" Tesha asked, her voice full of wonder.