Geckle listened to the party's knowledge at work, nodding vigorously whenever he was noticed. The plan, though still developing, sounded solid to ears inexperienced in strategy. The druid had perhaps more fight in him than he let on, but standing against a goblin raid was not the same as fending off a small swamp crocodile from inside a boat. He felt conscious of the light weight of the spear. [i]Just fight where they point you. That's what you'll do, and you'll remain Geckle otherwise.[/i] Raising his head when Iris left, an idea came to Geckle at the mention of a horse. He attempted to clear his throat and spoke. "I have an idea that may, er, help us. A little. I mean, if it's needed, and it w-works, and maybe if I can find what I need in t-town and..." Fading into a mumble, he backed out of the room with an awkward wave, stumbling slightly on the doorstep. [i]Well, that could've been done better.[/i]

Geckle wasn't one to mind a long walk; He could set a good pace even on a halfling's legs. A horse or donkey would still be a valuable asset, though, and it could certainly move faster than himself, if needed. And it could carry a human. With this in mind he set off around the town, looking for a place where he might find some kind of... Spiritual guidance, he supposed. There were plenty of old or failed sorcerors in town who might be willing to sell him a book, if he could find them. 

It took him a while to reach a street where it appeared that arcane dealers had clustered together, by which time his bald head was burning in the sun. Scampering into an appropriate-looking building, he leaned against a wall and rested for a few seconds. The building was filled with old books, jars of strange- and sometimes vile-looking potion ingredients, and other miscellanea. 

"Choose your object. I'll name its price." An old woman in heavy robes spoke boredly out of a corner, and Geckle flinched before he nodded and ducked behind a disorganised shelf. Books with potion recipes... Empty spellbooks... Papers in languages he couldn't read. Not much use for a druid. [i]Maybe, not such a good idea at all...[/i] A word on a title caught his eye as he turned to leave 'Mounted'. Geckle pulled away the book and examined it, reading 'Study of the Soul and Power of a Mounted Horse'. [i]Lucky find. Perfect.[/i] The old woman raised an eyebrow and Geckle nodded. 

"...If you're interested in that old thing, you can take it for one gold. I don't know where I found it." She shrugged and Geckle paid cautiously- He didn't have much money to go around. "You'll be leaving now." Geckle nodded again and scurried back into the sunshine, clutching his precious book. [i]Cheaper than buying a horse, yes. I'll just see how far my shifting can take me in this case. The idea's worth trying, once I've studied this.[/i]