the needed but unwanted

Krios's hooves clanked on the cobblestone road of the buzzing capital. The fresian stallion snorted as people stopped too look at the stranger that road their city. It was a big enough city that not everyone knew each other, yet Justin was completely out of place. The commander and chief wasn't conceded enough to think they were merely admiring his good looks, although it was possible. He sat tall in the saddle. Reins firmly secured between his gloved fingers. His other hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Not in fear of anyone attacking him, simply out of comfort.

The four of them had been on the road for almost a month now. His orders had been clear, yet seemed like more of a joke. Who would send a testosterone filled man to an estrogen driven nation to help with recruit training. Regardless he would do as asked, when finished he would return home with haste. King James advised him that the Commander of Dothbar would be waiting for him at the gates of the metropolis. Yet.....aside from merchants traveling with donkeys and wagons he saw no one that would resemble a commander of the second greatest dragon nation. Of course in his mind the second greatest, naturally Krotan was first. Then again he didn't know what to expect.

"Woah" he eased Krios into a stop. Krios grunted and shook his head. It was late into the evening, but still not time to stop. A work horse through and through. Justin leaned forward in his saddle and rubbed his neck with his fingertips to ease him. Hanzo took the break with a happy pant and quickly stood in Krios shadow. Justin looked around, hoping he'd grab the attention of the right people, apparently he wasn't. Hanzo dropped his head, hackles up, and a low snarl escaped his bared teeth. Justin looked over his shoulder and noticed a merchant walking towards him.

"I'm aware. Just relax, no one here will harm you" Samba reminded him. The magnificent dragon had landed in a near by field that was cut by an old river. Charcoal colored claws sunk into the mud before lowering his head for a drink. A predator of this stature didn't have many natural enemies, thus not much to fear. Yet he was naturally Leary of his surroundings.

Justin watched as the merchant came towards him. Walking with a mission. Now he understood Hanzo's Leary behavior towards the stranger. He did not tighten his grip on his sword. Instead he remained relaxed, at least from exterior view. This man did not look to be a threat. Rather he procedeeded to insult his boots.

With a raised brow he looked down at his boots that were firmly seated in the stirrups. No, they looked fine. Fairly new actually. They had about three months wear to them. He looked up at the merchant and smiled.

I believe I am set, kind sir. I have been traveling for many moons with a destination not far from here. Looking for a leader not known to me by view, only by name. he then noticed the merchant looked more ragged than others and frankly looked a little desperate. Yet there was a glint of hope in his eyes. Who was he to deny him any hope. He pushed his fairly new leather bag behind his back.

would you know where I could find a leather bag to carry my belongings . and possibly a new grain bag for Krios here's? he said as he patted the horses neck.

If I recall correctly, her name is Commander Sabine. was it necessary to expose her rank? Absolutely! A rank as such is earned, and should always be addressed as such. He new the politics and struggles involved in reaching racks. Even though the leaders of the Krotan clan didn't have a choice in making him a dragon rider, they were not required to rank him anything above rider. Justin proved them otherwise. He earned his ranks.

As the merchant lit up with delight and requested he followed him, he dismounted. Removing his boot from the stirrup and swinging his leg over the saddle and firmly planting it on the ground. As he rumored his other foot he slid the reins over Krios's head. Turning to follow the merchant he did not need to remind Hanzo to follow.

They walked at a brisk pace. The man was obviously excited. It could be seen in his stride and in his voice. Justin smirked to himself. The shack was well put together. He ran his hand over the pillar that had been semi nailed together. He was obviously not a carpenter. Then again neither was he. He smiled sat his lack of handy work.

He waited patiently as the man turned his back and dug through his belongings.

how many children?  Justin asked. Most merchants had several mouths to feed.

The smell of the city was heavy in the air. He wanted nothing more than to continue on his trek. But he was well aware how difficult it was to service as a merchant. Besides, he really could use some direction as the map only lead him to Rothbane. Unlike Krotan not everyone here was happy with dragon fleets.

"My apologies, Commander Hathgar. Yes!"
When the merchant informed him that she had already left he raised a hand to his chin in thought. Now what? He wrinkled his brow and licked his lips. He wasn't at all surprised. He had been informed that she doesn't take kindly to new comers. She also is on a bit of a power trip. Being on a high horse as such, she probably hoped he'd turn around with his tail between his legs and chalk it up as a loss. Of course she didn't know him yet. Justin never chalked anything up as a loss. He always pulled through.

The looks the merchant received did not go unnoticed. He returned their distasteful looks with a penetrating stare. The merchants triumphant grunt brought Justin back into focus. His eyes followed his hands holding the slightly with feed bag. It's the hands that'll kill you. At least so he was taught. Always watch their hands. The bag was in decent shape. The edges were worn where horses would pick at the grain stuck in the corners.

" Do I dare ask what I'm getting myself into? " Justin chuckled as he removed his gloves to wipe the sweat off his brow. He neatly arranged the two gloves on top of each other and pulled them half way through the strap that held his sword at his hip.

He listened carefully as he provided Justin with basic directions and to weary of the enchanted Forest. Justin was no stranger to magic. However, he preferred to stay clear of any trouble that could arise from dark magic. He would just stick to the coast as advised. Besides that would provide this Hathgar lady sometime to bask in her makeshift triumphant success of pushing him away. He smirked to himself slightly.

The merchant handed him the items as he began speaking all sounds fell on deaf ears as an image of a beautiful woman stitching the head strap to the feed bag. "Oh hell" escaped her lips as she stuck her finger with the large needle. "Mum....." The little girl stated startled by her mother's language. Two long blonde braids fell over her shoulders. "I'm sorry Abigail. You are right. Why don't you show me what you have finished so far?!" She stated before coughing excessively before wiping the blood from her mouth and quickly on her dress before Abigail saw it. The young girl rushed a glass of water to her sick mother.

"Abigail is a beautiful young lady." Justin advised not even recalling if the merchant had provided him with that small tid bit of information. Justin handed him several gold coins. Almost triple the amount of what the bags would normally cost. "Please treat your beautiful family to a nice ham tonight. Cherish them everyday. And thank you for your directions" he smiled and nodded his head in appreciation. He laid down the bags and put on his gloves before picking them up and putting them in his saddle bags.