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WREN WOKE WITH BUTTERFLIESin her stomach.Town.People.Real civilization!
She dressed carefully—one of her nicer velvet outfits, deep blue with burgundy accents and her good boots.She braided her hair and topped it with a cute hat, trying to look presentable.Professional.
She loaded her purse with trade goods, checking her selection one more time.
The horse was waiting near the gate, patient and ready.The dandelions gathered around, clearly intending to come.
"All of you?"she asked.
Three golden-eyed stares.Yes, apparently.All of them.
"Alright then."
She mounted the horse—it took a couple tries, since she didn’t have a mounting block—and settled into position.The dandelions formed up around her, two in front, two on each side.An honor guard.
Or a very strange parade.
Walter appeared at the gate."Safe travels, madam.And remember—be confident, and don't let them undervalue your goods."
"Thank you, Walter."
She rode through the gate and onto the main road.
The journey was short—she'd been right about the distance.Ten minutes at an easy pace, maybe less.The road was well-maintained, wide enough for carts.Protected by shield enchantments, just like Jin had said.
The town walls came into view quickly.Tall, thick, built from stone and reinforced with what looked like monster bone.Guards stood at the gate, watching her approach.
They stared as she got closer.
She couldn't blame them.A woman in velvet on a wooden horse, escorted by plant-lions with fluffy manes.She was quite the sight.
One guard raised his hand."Hold there.State your business."
"I'm Wren.From the—" She hesitated."From the farm outside town.I'm here to trade.The Marshall said he'd meet me?"
The guards exchanged glances.One of them looked nervous, eyeing the dandelions.
"Those...things.Are they dangerous?"
"Only to monsters," Wren said."They're very well-behaved."
"Lieutenant!"one guard called."Lieutenant Tanaka!"
Kenji appeared from the guard house, took one look at her, and grinned."Wren!Right on time."He nodded to the guards."She's expected.Let her through."
The guards relaxed slightly but still eyed the dandelions warily.
Kenji walked over, giving the horse an appreciative look."Horse chestnut worked out well, I see."
"It did."
He glanced at her escort."The lions are impressive, but they might cause concern in town.Would you mind if they waited out here?Just off the path, out of the way?"His tone was kind, apologetic even."People aren't used to seeing creatures like that."
Wren looked at her protectors.Kenji had a point.Lion-sized creatures prowling through a crowded town would cause panic."Can you wait here?"she asked her pets.
The largest one looked at her for a long moment.Then moved to the side of the road, settling into a watchful position.The others followed.
