383 Sand Walkers (1/2)
Axel led them for ten minutes to a shed where all the livestock were kept. Zero had to stop breathing for a while because of the stench and Truen couldn't go any nearer without a mask of some sort. Zero took pity on his friend and fashioned a mask with some quick discreet enchantments to block out the smell on his handkerchief pulled from the handy sling bag. Truen accepted it gratefully and they walked past some metal cages.
Truen swore he felt bloodlust coming from the quieter cages and was warier of them compared to the monsters roaring at them from their cages in the dark shed. Axel was unphased and even whistled a carefree tune as they made a turn to the wooden pens.
”Here are the bad boys that you want. They are called sand walkers because the original name is far too long and complicated. Many desert travellers will buy sand walkers because they have a natural sense of direction and won't get thrown off by the magnetic field manipulated by the desert's natural terrain. In addition, their scaly bodies keep them cool and they are magical beasts. That means, they can fight the monsters in the desert too. They can see rather well at night too so if you need to make a run from a sandstorm approaching, you can. Their big webbed feet are good for travelling on the sand where the terrain is different elsewhere and they can cover about a hundred and fifty kilometres in the desert. The only downside is their need to eat plants. As you know, the desert isn't the best place to grow such things. They can eat straw, grass, tree barks, fruits and vegetables so you'll have to choose what kind of rations to buy for them to last the trip.”
After hearing the lengthy but informative explanation, Zero smiled. ”We have a storage bag that can carry rations for them, it wouldn't be a problem. Could you tell me more about their temper and how to care for them? I've never ridden on Sand Walkers before and they are rather different from horses.”
Truen looked at the Sand Walkers and blinked. They looked somewhat familiar as if he'd seen something similar. The Sand Walkers stood on its hind legs and had tiny hands. It also looked like a giant lizard that was slightly taller than Truen so it took the archer some time to know where he'd seen it before.
”A velociraptor?” Truen blinked. That's right, he recalled it now. It was in one of Merlin's old books. This was a dinosaur back in the old Earth and it was much smaller but a lot more ferocious because it was carnivorous. A herbivorous velociraptor that could be domesticated as a mount to travel deserts sounded surreal but there it was in all its scaly glory, looking at him.
”How much does a Sand Walker cost?” Zero asked and patted the creature on the nose. Thankfully, the monster was feeling friendly and didn't chew Zero's hand. Truen couldn't understand how Zero could be so trusting even if beasts.
Zero didn't even consider twice before pulling out twenty binnites and handing it to the stunned spriggan.
”W-wait! Don't you want to negotiate?”
Zero laughed. ”Nah. I got more than enough money to spend so I'll buy them instead, thanks.”
Truen wanted to laugh at the lost expression on Axel's face. If the trader thought that Zero would do someone a favour just to get something for free, he was wrong. Nobody could make Zero do what he didn't want just like how nobody could stop Zero from doing what he wanted. People should start learning.
Flabbergasted, the spriggan rejected the money. ”I was just joking,” he cried. ”I just really needed help. I know you're looking for Sand Walkers because you're heading to Derby Desert. There is something there that I want very badly but nobody has been able to get it for me so far... please, I'll even pay you. You're both adventurers, right? I'll submit the request to the guild for the both of you if you agree. I'll even throw in something extra.”
Truen raised his brow and Zero remained silent, allowing his best friend to do the negotiating. Zero didn't mind either way because it was an adventure. However, Truen had a policy of not doing anything for free.
”We have to hear what the request is before we can make a decision. As you've seen, my sister and I are currently not short on money.”
Hearing that, the spriggan became devastated. ”Please don't say that... I really need your help. I heard that your sister is the princess' tutor and she cured the plague in Magnus Hilda. That would mean that both of you must be really strong. I've sent many requests for C-rank adventurers and above but nobody has successfully completed this quest. Even A-rank adventurers failed and the guild would throw my request out if nobody is willing to accept it!”