The soldier glanced at the dimming sky. "The Lord doesn't make us ride at night. Even when he wants to make haste, he puts our well being first. Rest and safety and all that."
Saera smiled. " They won't return this night, then."
"Most likely not. Why do you believe the common man will?"
Saera leaned against the gate, watching for movement in the distance. "He'd become so attached to that horse he clung to it even when a better one was offered to him."
"He could have simply taken the better horse and been on his way."
"He might have." Saera smiled. "But he didn't see a weak animal, he saw a companion." She spotted movement in the distance and straightened, pleased. "They're back."
