Page 31 - SagaOfBarak2

Once when happy all was in order, then without any further delay or ado the
ogre next secured the small boy.
Followed by his bold Germans who by the by also took for themselves and their
babysitting friends a good share of the sheiks gold returned to Britain with the
rescued child.
A while later when once safely back upon that distant green cold island, the boy
had prospered greatly, growing both wise and strong as the nightmares of his sad
past became less frequent, only a distant foggy memory to him.
Thankfully with the passing of the years, after a sad, bad start in life, the young
Hassan finally knew good cheer, thus being so, the child had both flourished and
prospered under the slayers protection and guidance.
The giant for his part was most proud of the child, who not having a known
name for the little boy he himself had named Hassan, this as the orphan was
known by no title that the old crone could discover.
Why even at an early age the young boy educated by Barak could read and write
and also speak fluently in many languages.
Better still young Hassan could and would haggle whilst dealing with the most
tight fisted of the farmers and horse dealers.
Happily more often than not the boy would come out smiling once any heated
transactions were eventually concluded.
Barak in the meanwhile owned, but held for sale at the moment, three heavy
horses, here were strong, honest, hairy legged animals, good to haul both heavy
wagon freight or to work in the forest dragging out trees.
Or indeed if not thus employed, then perhaps these big docile beasts could be
put to work before the plough.
Erik was a woodsman, Barak’s closest neighbour in the forest, his lodge after
a recent uproot now lay only an hour or so ride away.
Well this upon Barak’s big horse or two hours or more on another steed with
less giddy up and go about it.
As it happened this shrewd wily woodsman was a long time friend of the
slayer,also to his credit Erik was a damned good judge of horseflesh.
In the name of honest trade, Erik was also certainly interested in purchasing at
least one of these beasts, so just perhaps here was another deal in the offing.
Either way it was the mare Erik seemed most interested in buying, the other
two animals were geldings, these well put together docile animals could bide
with Barak until the coming of spring to grow on a little.
Spring, ah yes spring was always a far better time to trade for more coin, this
with fresh grass a growing, aye and all of this nourishment for free at that.

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