The first thing that Osric's party did with Paul as its new member, was to go buy a horse.
The three of them walked through the busy streets of Ashbrook toward the livestock market near the western side of town.
William looked amused.
"I didn't expect the first thing we'd do with our new porter was spend a small fortune."
Osric didn't slow his pace.
"It's necessary."
Paul walked quietly beside them, still looking slightly overwhelmed by how quickly everything had happened.
"I still think we could get a cheaper one," he said cautiously.
Osric shook his head.
"As long as the price is reasonable, don't worry about it."
Paul frowned slightly.
"But fifteen or twenty silver is a lot of money."
Osric glanced at him.
"A horse will let us take more missions and carry more corpses."
"That means more money."
He shrugged slightly.
"It's an investment."
William grinned.
"Boss has been thinking about this all night."
Osric ignored him.
They soon reached the livestock section of the market where several merchants were displaying animals behind wooden fences.
Most of the horses were simple work animals used for carts and farm labor.
Paul immediately became more serious.
His eyes moved carefully over each horse.
He stepped closer to one, checked its legs, then examined another's teeth.
William leaned toward Osric.
"…He suddenly looks like a professional."
Osric nodded.
'Good.'
Paul spent several minutes inspecting different horses.
Eventually he stopped in front of a dark brown mare.
She was calm but alert, with strong legs and a thick winter coat.
Paul ran a hand along her neck and checked her hooves.
"This one," he said finally.
Osric looked at the merchant.
"How much?"
"Eighteen silver."
Paul immediately shook his head.
"That's too much."
The merchant snorted.
"She's healthy and strong."
Paul crossed his arms.
"Fifteen."
The merchant hesitated.
Then shrugged.
"Fine."
Osric immediately paid the coins.
Paul looked slightly embarrassed.
"I originally wanted to show you a cheaper one."
Osric shook his head.
"If you think this one is good, that's enough."
Paul nodded slowly.
"She'll work well for the cart."
They soon led the horse back through the streets of Ashbrook.
William walked beside it, occasionally glancing at the animal.
"I guess this makes us look more like real adventurers."
Paul chuckled.
"You should see some merchant caravans."
"This is nothing."
Before long they reached the stable yard where they had been storing their cart.
The stable owner came out when he saw them approaching with the horse.
"New animal?" the man asked.
Osric nodded.
"We want to rent a stall."
The man rubbed his beard.
"I'll feed and water it every day."
"Ten copper a day."
Osric looked at William.
William sighed and nodded.
"I'll cover that."
The stable owner smiled.
"Good."
Paul led the horse into an empty stall.
The animal looked around curiously before lowering its head toward the hay.
Paul gently patted its neck.
"You'll get used to this place soon enough."
William leaned against the stall door.
"So… does it have a name?"
Paul thought for a moment.
Then smiled slightly.
"Rust."
Osric raised an eyebrow.
"Why Rust?"
Paul shrugged.
"The color."
The horse snorted softly as if agreeing.
William laughed.
"Rust it is."
For a moment the three of them simply stood there looking at the animal.
A cart.
A horse.
And three members in the party.
It felt like a real beginning.
Osric rested his hand briefly on the wooden stall door.
'This will make things easier.'
And far more profitable.
—
After spending some time with Rust and then having their first party dinner, Osric decided they should start planning their next few missions already.
They entered the guild again and looked at all available missions.
"I just spent almost half of my total money. So we better make up for it with work."
Paul and William agreed.
Paul was excited.
William could already feel how exhausting the next few days were going to be.
'I hope he doesn't overdo it.' William thought.
Osric looked at the mission board much longer than usual.
He took one and walked to a table with the others.
"Since it's against the rules to take more than one at once, we will start with this one and just plan what type of monster missions we will take next."
Paul stayed silent as he had no say in these matters.
William just nodded.
"We will take only Forest Creeper missions for the next few days to earn as much as possible."
"After that we move on to Venomfang Snakes, and then we will face something we haven't together before."
Paul gulped.
'This is starting to feel real.'
He could sense how serious Osric was about everything that revolved around monsters.
Osric had started to exude an air of experience, despite his actual short time as an adventurer.