The ferry ride was mostly quiet apart from the brief Nolan provided about his intelligence. The next few bells of the trip it seemed that everybody prepared for what came next in their own way. Miro himself focused on his state of mind, his need for leadership. He attempted to put away any selfish feelings for now, for they would hinder his judgement, as would any cravings. To succumb to some lesser form of a craving could ruin his chance to truly satisfy his needs for power and domination. He could not allow himself to fail either.
When finally the long trip across the lake concluded, the trio made their way off of the ferry and across the Post. "We need to head to the Stables, get a mount, if we're to make the trip. For me to walk there would take longer than the ferry ride. I don't have a boarded mount there, but luckily I do have my ways. I'll get us what we need, so worry not." It was not a long walk from there to the gutted shack that was used to board the mounts. It was not the kind of place the apprentice ever visited, but still thought himself sly enough to have his way.
Miro made his way up to the stables and found the man that seemed to be in charge of business there. From what was understood it was Ebonstryfe operated, but that was something the man certainly was not. He looked the kind one would expect to be in charge of taking care of horses. A stocky man with a pleasant smirk, everything from his hat to his boots were covered in filth. He approached the guests while he pocketed his gloves. "Mornin' fellas, what can I be doin' for you?" He seemed a simple enough man.
The wizard turned to hand his staff off to his servant and made his way toward the stableman. The two shook hands and the apprentice flashed his badge. "The question is not what you can do for me, but what you can do for Rhysol. I need your help, but I need you to keep my visit here to yourself." The man nodded with grave concern. "I am on extremely important Ebonstryfe business, and I need to make use of your resources." Miro began to prepare his stern gaze with hypnotic Djed, but was interrupted before he could complete the spell.
The stableman knew an apprenticeship badge when he saw one and was hardly about to take the word of somebody with so little influence. The look on his face was filled with contempt and his harsh voice echoed against the thin walls. "You're just an apprentice, ya mook! I ain't givin' you anything to a nobody like you. You can pay or leave." This would make things difficult for all involved, but the Chained One, proud as he was, would not give up so easily. He would resolve things with deception as always.
The Hypnotist scowled and refocused himself. He would not let this man stand in his way. If necessary a kill would be made, for as he had told himself earlier, failure was not an option. He flared his Djed and presence and stared the man down with eyes that burned passionately. His steely glare pushed emotions of pure awe and fear. But the true terror came from his hiss of a voice. "That's right, I am a nobody, the kind of person that doesn't exist. This task is off the books, and if you do not cooperate, your head will be off your shoulders."
In truth what to say next slipped the undead's grasp, so he only heaved deep breaths as if to attempt to control himself. He clenched a fist, but then put his arm around the stableman and began to walk him away. He had to do something, and had already played the fear card, so he would hold to it. Reimancy was always the prime choice. He began to focus his attention to his hand and emit a liquid Res that transmuted one element after another. Tiny burst of fire, ice and lightning, all near to the man's face. "I am what they call the Remedy. I make problems disappear. But I try not to cause problems when fixing them, understand?"
The stableman nodded very nervously and the wizard removed his arm from around the man's neck. "I don't need much, just a little help, and for you to keep your mouth shut about this." The nervous man opened his mouth to speak, but his words were caught in his throat. "Shh, don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you. And this will stay between you, me, my partners and Rhysol." Finally he managed to get his words out. "W-what do you need? There was the desired result.
Miro grinned behind the Mask of Many. "I need you to accommodate my friends here to the best of your ability and lend a few mounts where necessary. I am not asking much, nothing real special, and I'll see everything makes it way back to you. Then I owe you one, and you forget we ever met." The man still seemed hesitant to offer such a thing, so the wizard made a gesture in good faith. He removed the golden ruby ring from his blackened hand and gave it over. "Take this in exchange for now, it is worth a lot. My business, it'll only take a couple bells at most."
The stableman pointed out the mountain ponies and made sure to see that Lessomm and Nolan were taken care of. Not only that, but treated well. He would ensure that their mounts were fit for travel and even help the disabled wizard onto his pony. The detour in their trip would set them back at least a quarter of a bell, but with nothing more in their way they could continue. When all were ready to depart, Miro had an admission to make to his party. "I am not going to lie to you, I am not an experienced rider, nor am I familiar the way to the Cattail Farms either. Nolan, you will have to guide us, and likely scout ahead when we are near."