Eventually, Augustus' shoulder ached too much to continue to carry Claude on either shoulder, as he had swapped sides at one point when the aching of his right shoulder grew unbearable. Every step drew energy from his reserves. Whatever Augustus had eaten at the inn had long been exhausted and it wasn't as if he had been feasting like a prince in the previous few days.
He switched to pulling Claude along, using his cloak like a reverse set of horse reins; the 'bridle' was slung around Claude's armpits while the grips were in Augustus' hands. But despite the reins being in his grasp, it was Augustus who was being worked like a horse to pull along his unwelcome companion.
