I heard the sound of cart wheels coming from behind me, so I turned around and moved off the road slightly. I saw that the cart was being pulled by the looks of it a very old horse, and being controlled by a very old man.
�You�re a long way from anywhere, Missy. Where are you headed too?� he asked.
�Windy Bluff.� I answered.
The old man gave me a long look, as if to measure if I would bring him any harm before he said, �I am going that way myself, why don�t you hop in the back and you can ride with me. The roads are not safe for one as young as yourself.�
I almost argued with him that I was not young, I had fifteen years, and that I could take care of myself, thank you very much...but then I remembered how tired I was, and that it would be foolish of me not to accept his kind offer.
I told him, �Thank you kind sir, that would be very acceptable to me and my sore feet.�
I climbed into the back, wedging myself in between the sacks of corn. He just chuckled at me and gave the reins a slight snap to get the horse moving again. It was then that he asked me, �So what draws you to the town of Windy Bluff?�
�I am hoping to find a teacher there, who can aide me in my magical studies.� I said.
He snorted. �Magic. Never had much use for it. If I couldn�t get it on my own, with my own two hands, then I didn�t need it.�
I just smiled at him. He didn�t understand. My soul was full of joy at the feeling of the magic flowing inside of me. To feel the power, to harness it and to create from it. That was a truly wonderful thing.
�Well,� he continued, �they have guilds there in Windy for just about everything...I am sure that you will find what you are looking for.�
�I pray that you are correct, sir.�
Then, we just settled into the rhythm of the road, the rocking motion of the cart soon lulling me to sleep.
When I awoke it was from the sound of voices and the stopping of the cart. �You must have been very tired indeed Missy, you slept the day away...but we are here now. You are at the gates of Windy Bluff.� the old man told me.
I sat up, working out my muscles that had tightened up as I had slept on the bags of corn. The guards were coming over to the cart to inspect the goods before they would let the cart into town and on to the market.
�I am thankful for the ride kind sir, I wish I had something to give you as payment for your generosity...� I started as I was hopping out of the cart.
The kindly old man just waved my offer away. �No, you just find what you came looking for...and that will be payment enough, little mage�
I gave him a smile, then a nod, and turned my self to face the gates and my destiny. The guards gave me a once over as I approached the gates, but must have thought me harmless enough for I was able to just walk into the town.