Page 16 - SagaOfBarak1

‘You know the big fat merchant Edward, the one with the dyed black hair and
a gap in his top teeth?’ For just a moment the giant was thoughtful then grunted
as he gave a slow but positive nod. After all what was big Edward to Hubert,
well he was only little Edward to Barak.

‘Aye, aye I think I know the fellow well enough. If I remember rightly the
man is a fool, he is a fool with far too much mouth, also with far too much money
is he not? ’ the giant asked.
‘Yes, yes that is the same man, and indeed he is the same fool’, Hubert at once
agreed before continuing with what he had to say. ‘Well anyway Tom he sold
this Edward a horse, a black horse, a mare called Kate.’ The giant at once smiled
then next scratched at the snow white well groomed goatee beard that adorned
his huge square jaw.

‘Kicking Kate?’ the giant next enquired knowingly.
Hubert at once nodded, ‘Aye my Lord Barak that is the very same beast.’
Once again the giant smiled, most wryly this time, and then he spoke.

‘Say on Hubert, for that mare I think was perhaps just far too much animal
with far too much fire in its heart for fat Edward to handle.’ Hubert, well he was
now thankfully perhaps not quite as forlorn as he might have been just a short
while ago. In fact the castle guardsman now in these last moments even seemed
to be enjoying himself just a little in the giants company.
‘Well that black Kate she struck Edward so hard with one of her back hooves
one morning, I was there Barak, I saw it, funniest thing I ever did see,’ Hubert
chuckled. ‘It was a bright sunny most busy morning this summer gone, aye in
this very square too. Edward being Edward, well the fool sought as ever to
impress the market day crowds with the black mare’s turn of speed, so he gave
her the whip over her backside. Bad idea Barak, and all this in his best chariot
too, a chariot that very quickly ended up as kindling wood. Well, as you know
Edward was a most foolish man before that morning, but now, well now he is
even more of a total idiot Barak. ’ Hubert once again chuckled to himself as he
took a drink of ale before once again continuing with his tale. ‘Why, poor Edward,
since that kick cannot now even string two words together without stammering
and stuttering. Aye and all of this while spitting and slavering all over his fruit
and vegetables. Know you this also my Lord Barak, by the time the man
eventually manages to shout out the word “carrot”, or “turnip”. Why by then the
rest of the stallholders have sold up, packed up and gone home, money in their
purses with their day’s trade done and dusted. The giant first chuckled at these
words, but then he leant back with hands upon his hips as he laughed out long
and loudly as he imagined in his big bucket sized head the comical scene.
‘And so, so tell me, where is Tom now Hubert?’ Barak asked at length when
his laughter ceased. ‘Tell me, for I will find him and drink with him on my return
from this venture I must very soon undertake. But only to drink with him mind

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