With Gale by his side, Ibios journeyed closer into Delphi searching for another merchant. It didn't take him long to find one Delphi was basically a gold mine people from all over Greece traveled to Delphi in hopes of learning their future.
"Step on up, I have the best chitons and sandals in all of Greece," A merchant screamed towards the bustling crowd.
Ibios quickly made his way towards the Merchant with a smile on his face, "Tell me do you have any horse saddles in stock."
"Only the best," looking at the Mare the merchant's eyes shined. "This beautiful horse, how much are you willing to sell it for, I'll pay whatever you want." The merchant offered as his eyes never left Gale, Ibios frowned looking at Gale before turning back to the merchant.
"She's not for sale, now I'll ask again do you have any horse saddles in stock," Seeing Ibios eyes the merchant quickly nodded turning around walking into his tent he came out with a brown saddle.
"That'll be 5 drachmas," Ibios quickly handed over the coins grabbing the saddle he turned to Gale gently placing his hand on her back he brushed his hand over her back. He paused as his hand stopped on a bump similar to the one on her head but this one was longer. Running his hand over the other side of her back he found another bump frowning. Deciding to worry about it later he placed the saddle pad on her back making sure it was even before placing the saddle above it.
Making sure everything was done correctly he turned to the merchant who was still eyeing Gale. "Do you have any dried food," Seeing the merchant nod Ibios purchased a sack of dried meats and fruits before tying it to the saddle.
"Poseidon himself had blessed you, great sir, I wish you luck on your journey." Ibios turned to the merchant nodding before going about his way. He himself had credited Gale's great speed from the blessings of Poseidon.
Journeying forward he quickly left the boundaries of Delphi, reaching the crossroads he had been at earlier he expected to see the redhead middle-aged man from earlier. He wasn't there which surprised Ibios but considering that the sun was currently going down it made sense.
Hoping to reach Thebes before nightfall Ibios patted Gale's head, "Faster Gale," that command alone sent Gale flying like the wind. Though Ibios failed to realize how far Thebes was from Delphi seeing the sun go down and the visibility of the road waning he jumped off of Gale. "Good job Gale," Gale neighed in response and Ibios remembered when he had first looked into her eyes that spark of intelligence surprised him.
"It seems Thebes is farther east then I expected, to be on the safe side we'll walk the rest of the way." Patting Gale's head she followed as he began to walk the dirt road turning to Gale Ibios began to tell the horse how he came to Delphi. Narrating his first meeting with a Goddess, his skin crawled as he remembered Hera hideous expression right before she sent him to Tartarus. Ibios raised an eyebrow as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching whoever it was they weren't trying to be stealthy.
"We finally found him," A man dressed in a dirty tunic said as they exited the thicket of trees blocking Ibios's view.
"You sure, remember the last time we got the wrong guy the captain was pissed I was sure he would kill one of us," another man stepped out of the thicket.
Ibios frowned hearing their conversation they were targeting him he just wasn't sure why he had only spoken to a couple of people in Thebes, It couldn't be the Pythia that left the two merchants.
"Yeah It's him alright, the Captain's cousin said he would be with a white horse, let's get this over with I think the Captain will like this horse."
Ibios watched as the man in front of him made a hand sign, not too long after 8 more men stepped from the thicket of trees surrounding Ibios. Taking out his sword he was prepared to fight when he heard the sound of coughing turning around he looked at one of the men, only an arrow had flown through his neck. He gurgled up blood as he reached for the arrow before his body fell to the ground face first.