Read Online To Be Chosen by John Buttrick - Free Book Online Page B

way to farms with crops of corn and wheat in the fields and ranches with horses, cows, and bulls ranging the tall grass on both sides of the river. Most of the farmers lived in A-frame houses with barns in the back, but some of the larger properties had two and three storied homes with huge stables. Coming up on the right was a spread with forty head of horses in the field and likely more back behind the stables. Daniel made a decision; he needed to buy two horses, and he was absolutely terrible at bargaining. He stopped at the wooden gate of a fence that stretched all aroun d the property out to the road.
    “How much should a couple of good horses cost?” he asked without addressing the question to any particular companion.
    Silvia answered, “Twenty silvers should buy a decent pair of mounts,” at the same time David spoke up saying, “Thirty silvers will get a pair of mounts with some staying power.”
    “With six Ducaunan gold pieces you can purchase a pair of purebred Battencayan horses, of which I see half a score in this field,” Jared replied, with Marcus nodding agreement with him.
    They were a good breed, no doubt about it, likely worth the money, and Daniel certainly had enough coins to buy them. He had to admit to being inexperienced when it came to handling coins, having earned coppers working for Henry Polkat at the inn, and only rarely had a silver coin. Now he had a bag full of gold coins and none of lesser value. Well, he had just hired an account keeper, maybe Jared should be allowed to hold the bag and take care of those things he is used to doing; it was also a way to see how trustworthy and honest the man actually was.
    “Here, hold this,” Daniel told the account keeper while tossing the bag to him.
    Jared snatched the bag out of the air, took a look inside, and then closed it quickly. “A goodly sum to be entrusted to someone you just met on the road.”
    “A trustworthy man is more valuable to me than gold. If I can trust you with this, I know I can trust you with more important matters,” Daniel told him while glancing at Marcus.
    “So this is a test?” Jared said, paused and then added, “If so, I am glad for the opportunity to demonstrate my integrity. I will begin by telling you we should exchange some of these coins for those of lesser value when we reach Jeeter. Second, if this is all the coins you have, I caution you not to spend them too rapidly. Finally, while I am a skilled negotiator, I suggest Silvia do the bargaining for the horses. I seriously doubt the rancher will get the better of a Teki in the art of deal making.”
    “Why her instead of me?” David inquired. He did not seem upset, just curious.
    “Because with the exception of Daniel who is immaculate, she has the cleanest apparel of those in our party and will make the best impression,” Jared explained, and he made a good point.
    “Acquire however many coins of lesser value you see fit. And you, as account keeper, need to know these are all the coins in my possession but I have access to more gold if the need arises,” Daniel replied and turned to the crossbow-wielding-acrobat. “Are you willing to haggle for the horses?”
    Silvia’s lips formed into a predatory smile and her eyes seemed to dance with delight. “Oh yes, I will get you the absolute best deal,” she replied and turned to Jared. “Give me six coins.”
    The account keeper for the Daniel Benhannon estate, which included everything that can fit onto one horse, doled out six gold pieces to the Teki, and they all watched as she rode through the gate and up to the ranch house. Three quarters of a mark later she came back leading two Battencayan stallions, one jet-black and the other beige with a dark brown mane and tail. Both were saddled, ready to be ridden, looked healthy and well muscled, and good representatives of their breed. Daniel figured it would fall to him to decide which man would ride on which horse, but Marcus went for the jet-black