“But fifty gold pieces is all the money I have.”
“Tell you what. Make it forty-five gold pieces and throw in your sword.”
“My sword?”
“Of course. This beauty will take care of you, and your sword will keep my squire and I from being defenseless in this heathen land.”
“Hmm. That seems fair enough. Yes, I believe you have made a deal, my friend.”
They shook hands ceremoniously and began effecting the trade. I seized the opportunity to interrupt.
“Gee, it’s a shame we have to part so soon.”
“Why so soon?” The warrior was puzzled.
“No need to rush off,” Aahz assured him, giving me a solid elbow in the ribs.
“But Aahz, we wanted to travel more before sundown and Quigley has to prepare for battle.”
“What preparations?” asked Quigley.
“Your unicorn,” I continued doggedly. “Don’t you want to catch your unicorn?”
“My unicorn! All of my armor is on that animal!”
“Surely it won’t wander far….” Aahz growled.
“There are bandits about who would like nothing better than to get their hands on a good war unicorn.” Quigley heaved himself to his feet. “And I want him at my side to help me fight the demons. Yes, I must be off. I thank you for your assistance, my friends. Safe journey until we meet again.”
With a vague wave of his hand, he disappeared into the woods whistling for his mount.
“Now what was all that about?” Aahz exploded angrily.
“What, Aahz?”
“The big rush to get rid of him. As gullible as he was, I could have traded him out of his pants or anything else vaguely valuable he might have had on him. I specifically wanted to get my hands on that charm.”