Darin nodded to Ridahne as she left to head back to the stable. The Elf was right. If she wanted to take Talbot with her, she needed to know how to take care of him. That was only polite after all. She hurried towards Talbot. The rest of the town was waking up. Darin wanted to get Ridahne out of here. She had seen mobs in Lively before, and the human was willing to bet that once the gossip of last night spread One would start to form. As long as they got out before all sense was lost, they would be okay.

The farmer looked like he was repairing some sort of tack. He looked up as Darin skid to a stop, “I need to learn how to saddle Talbot.”

He was clearly confused, “Have you never rode before?”

Darin shook her head, “I know how to use plow horse. I’ve only rode once and been on top of a horse twice.”

The farmer stood up, “Well Talbot won’t let you put a saddle on him or use a bit. Let’s see if we can convince him to let you at least have reins.”

Together they walked over to Talbot. The farmer pulled a set of reins of a hook by his stall. He held them up for the horse to look at. The horse snorted inelegantly. It was clear what he thought about that. Darin couldn’t blame him. She wouldn’t like it either.

The farmer spoke calmly, “Yeah I know you don’t like tack Talbot, but he’s never really ridden properly before. I won’t let him saddle you, but do you really want him falling off.”

Talbot scoffed again but he did lower his head. The farmer showed Darin how to put the bitless reins on and take them off. Then Darin did it a few times as well. It wasn’t even that different from hooking up a plow. The reins would not only help Darin stay on, but they would also help Darin get on. Darin needed all the help she could get so she would take it for sure. With the reins in hand she led Talbot out into the center of the barn. At one point the farmer disappeared. Darin was a little worried about the lack of a bit because that was how a rider typically told a horse which way to go, but Talbot seemed smart. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too stubborn.

That was when the farmer came back with a few things, “I found a few spare things you can have.” He held out a brush, “Make sure you brush Talbot every night.” He gave her a bar of soap and a cloak, “Talbot seems to think you could use all the help you can get. So here you go.”

He was silent as he handed her the last thing. It was a sickle. Darin pulled the covering out and knew that it was not a spare. The steel was brightly polished, and Darin could feel the cuts just by looking at it. She immediately began to protest. This was his tool and he didn’t know her. There was no reason to give it to her.

The farmer cut of the protest, “Talbot told me what you’ve got. When you get the job done let me come see you.” He grinned, the leather of his skin breaking into countless lines, “Just to smell it.”

Darin was almost overcome with the amount of kindness she felt form this farmer that had been working the land for longer than she had been alive. This was the future she had envisioned for herself. The Seed reacted as well. It started to burn, but this time it was almost pleasant. Darin didn’t think The Seed liked the thought about the farmer coming to smell the new Tree. It wasn’t enough. She wrapped the sickle back up

Without even think about it she threw her arms around him, “I make a decent apple pie.” She was whispering in his ear, “You should come taste it. When I’m ready for guests.”

The Seed liked that, or maybe Darin was imagining it. Either way it seemed right. The farmer was caught off guard for a little bit, but then returned the hug. When they pulled away Darin noticed that Ridahne was back in the barn. Her horse and Talbot seemed to get along. It was a nice little party. Darin nodded again. It was time to be on their way.

Darin put the soap and brush in her pack, “I’m ready.” The cloak went on as she walked over to Talbot, “We best get going. There’s no point wasting anytime.”

Talbot bent his knee and head. Using the reins Darin tugged herself to the back. She tried to be gentle, but she knew she tugged too hard. She patted Talbot’s neck and he rose to his full height. Darin was caught off guard for a moment. She held on to the sickle as she looked around. Her eyes fell on the farmer.

She was tying to be polite, “Thank you so much.”

He patted her knee, “Just take care of Talbot, and make sure you get it done.” He gave her one last piece of advice, “Learn to listen to Talbot. It will do you good.”

Darin nodded, “You’ve got it.” She turned to her companion, “Where to now? Which direction?”