That night, Kasis joined Philix and Lotus for dinner in the library, a heaping plate of vegetables, nuts and berries atop the roasted thigh of a large animal called a Kisura, lean, juicy, and evidently a very large creature.
While they ate, the three of them also discussed what Kasis would need for his adventure. Philix made a list, handing it to Kasis when it was finished.
"What's a Meru?" Kasis asked when he saw the list.
"It's an animal," Philix explained. "We use them for many things. We ride them, we drink their milk, and we make our clothing from their wool. You're wearing Meru wool right now, actually. It's very soft."
"I want a Meru," Lotus complained. "They're so cute and fluffy! I'd ride it all around the village."
Philix rolled their eyes. "Anyway, altogether this will cost you 4,223 Shards.*" (*~325 USD)
"Shards?"
"Shards are our form of currency."
"Is that a lot of money?"
"Depends on who you ask. It's an expense, for sure. You'll have to ask the king."
"No, I can't do that! They're already doing so much for me."
"Okay, but where do you plan on getting ◇4,223?" Lotus asked. ('◇' is the symbol for Shards)
"I'll figure it out. For now, I'm going to bed. good night." He stood up and turned to leave. "Thank you for helping."
"No problem," Philix said with a shrug.
"Yeah. You're cool, Kasis." Lotus smiled and gave him a big hug. "I'ma miss you when you're on your big adventure."
Kasis smiled, his heart filing with warmth. "I'll miss you, too."
•••••••••••••••••••••
The next morning, Kasis woke up, dressed, stopped by the library to say hello, and headed into town for a walk, taking the list of supplies with him.
He walked across the platforms that rested in the trees, thinking hard about how he would manage to get the money he needed in time. He was not paying any attention to his surroundings, though. He crashed into a faerie as he was stepping from one platform to another, losing his balance and plummeting to the forest floor with a shout.
"Woah, there!" yelled the faerie he'd bumped into as he grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the safety of the platforms. "Your wings not working?"
"I don't have wings," Kasis snapped back, still rattled from the fall.
The faerie, a boy about Kasis's age, bent over to pick up the list, which Kasis had dropped. "Oh. you're the human! I'm sorry, man."
The boy was shorter than Kasis, but Kasis was generally taller than everyone. He had rich, dark skin the color of chocolate with darker patches. His honey blonde hair was wavy and longer on one side. It curled freely around his pointed ears, each with a small black bead fixed to the lobe. He wore loose clothes and had vibrant, pear green wings, which flapped cheerfully as his eyes, an icy lavender color, skimed over the list.
"Ooh, are you shopping?"
Kasis snatched the list back. "None of your business."
"Sorry, bud. My name's Vieko. House Arogen."
"Are you related to Clement of house Arogen?"
"Oh, Clem? Yeah he's my..." He counted on his fingers- "Third cousin? I don't really keep track."
"Hm."
"Well, are you okay? I almost killed you just now."
"Yeah, in fine. Thanks, by the way. For grabbing me."
"Sure! Hey, can I shop with you? I love shopping. I can pay, too! I did almost kill you, so we'll be even."
"Sure?"
"Yay!" Vieko snatched the list back. "Let's see... ◇4,223 Shards? No problem! Ha, I love being rich."
"Give me that!" Kasis tried to grab the list, but Vieko flew into the air, just out of reach.
"Touchy today, are we?" He handed the list back with a wink. "What's your name, human?"
"Kasis." He started walking forward, Vieko following.
"That's a nice name. I'm gonna call you Kasey."
"Please don't."
"Ooh, did I strike a nerve?"
"Shut up."
"Definitely struck a nerve. Good to know. I like annoying people."
"I never would have guessed."
Vieko chuckled. "Good one. Where are we going?"
"Uh... good question. Lead the way."
Vieko actually turned out to be pretty helpful, and Kasis was eventually grateful he let him come along (although he'd never admit it) and not just because he was paying for his supplies. He was funny and had an infectious laugh that reminded Kasis of Soli, a familiar sound that was welcome.
They bought a satchel, some saddlebags, extra clothes, a portable sleep mat, spare blankets, a wooden water jug, and an eleven inch dagger that was simple yet well-made.
After they left the weapon shop, Vieko said, "Okay, all that's left to buy is your Meru."
Vieko led Kasis down to the first floor of the village. "The farm is on the ground for convenience." He guided him between the houses to a fenced-in area that had been cleared of trees. They entered a little house that sat on the corner of the property, where two men sat at a table playing cards.
"Hello! We're here to buy a Meru for this guy," Vieko told the men.
One of the men, a bulky blond with medium skin, asked, "Is he the human?"
"Yes. My name is Kasis." He shook hands with each of the men.
"I'm Toshka, and this is Kor," the bulky man said, referring to the other man, who was significantly shorter than and thinner, with a young face and wavy brown hair.
"Nice to meet you. I've never seen a Meru before."
Toshka smiled. "Well, then, let's get started!" The men led them through the back door into the pasture, where several quadrepedal, long-necked animals grazed. They came in many colors and patterns. Kor called one over for a closer look. Its short tail wagged as it walked and it left soft hoof prints in the mud. Its head was relatively round and fluffy, with a blunt snout and flared nostrils. It had two tall, curving black horns above is fluffy, lamb-like ears, and four big eyes, two on either side of its head.
Kor stroked the Meru between the horns. "Alright, Kasis. First, we're going to figure out which of our lovlies likes you the best, and then we'll teach you to ride."
"What do I do?"
"Just let them sniff your hand. If they lick you, then they like your scent."
Kasis offered his hand to every Meru in the feild, but none of them liked his scent except for one: a female with fur the color of toffee. She was a bit hesitant at first, but after a moment she licked the tips of his fingers. Her tongue was dry and rough. Kasis saw that she had flat teeth for grinding up grass and leaves.
"Well, I'll be darned," Toshka said. "That one usually doesn't like anybody."
"We'll take her," Vieko said as Kasis petted her head.
"Alright, Kasis. Time to learn how to ride," Kor said. "Lead her to the house, and we'll get her saddled up."
Once the Meru had been properly saddled, Kasis climbed onto her back as instructed.
"Okay. To make her go forward, tap her gently with your foot on her belly. Hold onto her horns. Gently, now! Okay, tilt her head to either side to steer using her horns. Good! Tap her belly again to speed up. Very nice! Now, turn her around... yeah, just like that... and to stop her, pull back on her horns quicky. Perfect!" He clapped. "That's all there is to it!"
Kasis rode the Meru in a big circle around the pasture, Listening carefully to Kor and Toshka's instructions. Vieko clapped when he finished.
Kasis rubbed the Meru's ears as he hopped off. "Good girl." She was very soft, and snorted happily.
"What are you gonna name her?" Vieko asked.
"Hmm..." He thought for a moment. "Rie. After my sister."
"It's perfect!"
"What do you think, Rie?" Kasis asked the Meru as he stroked her neck. Rie snorted again, wiggling her ears.
Once they bought her, they loaded all of their purchases into saddlebags and onto Rie, preparing to part ways.
"Thank you so much, Vieko," Kasis said with a smile.
"Don't mention it! What do you need all this for, anyway?"
"I'm going with the adventure party that's leaving soon. I'm going to help find the cure for Blackwing."
"Oh, cool! me, too." Vieko waved and turned to leave. "See ya, Kasey!"