Any time she had to travel through the Dark Enchanted Forest, Brownie packed light. More than once she'd had to abandon her wagon to dire wolves or the odd griffin attack.

Once they'd even been attacked by a wandering band of knee-high mushfolk.

Every time, she'd managed to track down an adventuring party or members of the Dark Lord's Army to come help her retrieve the wagon itself, but the items inside were still subject to being stolen. Or eaten.

Speaking of theft, she'd lost count of the number of times bandits or brigands or worse had captured her. Luckily her skills as a traveling bard came in handy at such times.

“You're up earlier than expected.”

Brownie looked over her shoulder as she finished checking the lines that secured her wagon to her horse. Rufus stood in the courtyard with a winning smile as bright as the sunrise just cresting the Eastern sky. His sharp canines flashed. He wore comfortable adventuring attire, white tunic, soft leather calf-length pants, and a dark brown vest with pockets.

“Good morning to you too.” she returned with a grin. Donna, her temperamental mare, shot the beastman a suspicious look as he tossed a small travelpack into the back of the wagon. “Shh girl. It's alright. He's my guest, not a hungry wolf.”

The word calmed the horse, one of the many words agreed upon when Brownie had convinced the mare to bond. Donna stomped her foot one more time, then turned away to inspect their surroundings as if she were a mere horse and not a fully intelligent bonded companion that could keep pace with a unicorn.

There was a reason Brownie had no qualms riding her through the Dark Enchanted Forest, and abandoning her to the stables while locked up by the Dark Lord's guards. Donna could take care of herself. And their Bonded Title let them keep tabs on each other even at a distance.

“Who else are we waiting for?” Rufus asked as he walked up to stand beside Donna.

Brownie noted with amusement that Rufus could look her in the eye. She usually stood a head above the crowd so it was nice traveling with someone she could speak to at the same level. “No one; it's just you, me, and Donna here.”

“Really?” Rufus raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. Instead, he reached out a hand to the horse.

Donna whipped her head around before Brownie could warn him. Instead of the expected yelp, the mare stopped and lipped at a lump of apple Rufus held out for her.

“Sorry for bribing your horse,” he said, contrite. “I should have checked with you first. I'm just used to animals feeling intimidated by this form and needing all the help I can get.”

Rufus rubbed Donna's nose and the mare butted up against his palm, which was better than mauling the man so Brownie considered it a win. “Donna eats what she wants so I'm not worried- but thank you for the apology. You can hop up front or ride in the back as you prefer.”

Brownie jumped up and took her usual spot at the reins.

Rufus eyed the wagon.

It had four sides to keep everything inside during high-speed bumpy chases and was loaded with a mix of hay for Donna and travel bags. Brownie's new instrument hung on the back of her wagon seat at the ready.

The beastman chose the passenger's seat, his tail comfortably sticking through the long opening between the seat and the elevated backrest.

“I'll join you up front.”

“Then we're off!” She sent a mental signal to Donna to head out, gave a flick of the reins for show, and navigated them all out of the Dark Fortress, across the moat, and Eastwards to Servalt.

When they were free and clear on their way, she felt Rufus let out a sigh of relief. He must have been itching to get going as much as she was. Brownie let Donna lead and turned to her passenger.

“So, where am I dropping you off in Servalt, Commander General Rufus?”

“Just Rufus is fine.” Rufus said. He patted his vest. “I'm actually going to Duke Wyldon's birthday party as well. That's why I reached out.”

Something felt off, but Brownie knew Rufus was on official business so didn't press. Instead, she relaxed and set aside the reigns and leaned back, pulling Danielle from her soft leather case. “Then we have a long ride ahead of us! How about a song for the road?”

Rufus, who'd otherwise been awkwardly settling in beside her, gave her the first real smile she'd seen on him that day. Genuine and open. “How about the Traveler's Tale?”

Brownie nodded and started the familiar melody. She had a few important deliveries to make, and a performance to rock; he had business with a bunch of Assassins.

Their paths might overlap more than he thought.

...

Traveler's Tale:

Through deep oaken valleys

in dark mountain passes

cross river and lake and occasional straight

my feet love the water,

the kneehigh wild grasses

man made cobble stone is not up to my gate

I tread the wild places

and know the rock landing

the hunting trail, country road, highway and track

I climb the cliff faces

my world ever standing

on earthen made floor from the countryside back

I sleep under starlight

in breath catching heather

or sometimes I rest in the deep forest nooks

the burrows and bracken

in rain or cloud weather

the fallen leaf tresses a roof in my crooks

My wandering ways lead

to clearings of hallow

the hill is my country the road is my home

the forest and woodland's

the green pasture fallow

I find ever peace when the further I roam.

I am the rough weather

A soft trodden route

the trail to the backlands, the marchland, the glade

I am the cool water

the crickling spout

that travels the lost ways through undergrowth shade

Someday you may meet me

In the gold field of grain

across the cold deserts or shoreline by night

On sloping wild hilllands

the rooted old by lane

that know the forgotten and carry the right.

And when our paths crossing

our eyes meet and catching

greet me with a smile and the nod of a friend

for I will know dwellings

And they know my singings

this traveler's tale from beginning to end.