a man & his ox - 4

A bird started to chirp in the cool early morning pre-light. The noise was enough to wake OH from a restful and rejuvinating sleep. OH stood, then went out through the tent opening, rubbed his head briskly with both hands, yawned and smiled broadly.

He had been woken from sleep during the night by news of a drunken goblin trying to take over control of the gold freight rates. The goblins spell was designed to change the gold rates so there would be even more shorter’s on the road today and they could get a heap of beans.

Luckily the goblin was not very good at his spells and it backfired covering him in foul smelling smoke, stale beer, cheap perfume and brown smelly stuff. His board shorts were blown off and parts of his body (you don’t want to now about) were turned into tiny, shrivelled dehydrated bits. The two very pretty “Arctic rent a girl’s” he had tagging along left in disgust. That would be a sorry and chastened little goblin this morning. Details of this midnight adventure can be found in the gold room at the “Hot Red Metal” inn.

OH took a nose bag over to OX and gave him an extra ration. After yesterdays battle with the shorter’s, he would be going at a trot today, on level ground and the freight rates were looking good with gold around 680, the red metal up to 3.480 and zinc 1.57. Ticket prices would be back up and booming again today. He advised the true believers to have a hearty breakfast and pack a good lunch as it would be a very busy day ahead.

A trench coated “true believer” on a mission, was seen rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of the days journey. He especially had travelled a long way with the OX and had seen his share of shorters and goblins. This was not new to him.

The OX could feel the tingling anticipation in the air and repeatedly lowered his head in anticipation of getting into harness.

There was catching up to do!