<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 120%; line-height: 116%;">Nikolai Vedeneyev</span></span></span><br/>Nikolai took the large work horse to ride. He'd never spent much time on horseback, but thought, 'how hard could it be?' It must have been a comical sight to see him squirm his way up onto the horse's back the horse liked to take a few side steps to the right as Nikolai wiggled his way up. Pietr chuckled while sliding into the saddle of the quarter horse. Kolya simply gave him a disgruntled look and spurred the large beast forward.<br/><br/>He found the wide back of the animal to actually make it easier to ride. He tried to direct the animal left and right. The horse seemed to have a mind of his own, stopping to eat some grass. In the Khoszul army, if you aren't in a cavalry unit, the only soldiers on horseback are the leadership. The foot soldiers move about by walking. In many cases, Nikolai had run everywhere they traveled to. Running was their most often mode of transportation. But he determined that he would feel comfortable enough at riding this horse to make it less difficult.<br/><br/>He'd already forgotten about Aelus and moved on. Nikolai didn't care if he had to kill another man in his life. He was ready to head back to his home near the lake. Maybe he would be reunited with his parents or one of his younger brothers. That made him think of Griegor which in turn made him sad. He became miserable riding on the oversized beast's backside. Hopefully his younger brothers were healthy. Maybe he could meet a nice Khoszul girl and make a family of his own?<br/><br/>When they arrived in Syvatlo all Nikolai was concerned with was getting something to eat. He was starving and needed some food right away. There were plenty of vendors offering fresh duck and other gamy fowl. He didn't care about the quality, he just wanted to eat. The smells in the marketplace were driving him nuts. He was prepared to forgo the butcher and begin eating his horse right then and there if it would be acceptable. But he would not do that.<br/><br/>A stranger who appeared to have lived the hard life as a soldier picked up a conversation with Katerina. The stranger was apparently trying to recruit them to hire out as mercenaries for some Count Sachkov who wanted to make an expedition. Nikolai would have an issue if the Count wished to commit a foray into Khoszul Lands, but other than that, this appeared to be a great opportunity to get some money.<br/><br/>"Can we get new armor?" Pietr suggested. "I'm tired of this old stuff and would like to find something that fits me better. I honestly believe we can get better weapons than these as well." Nikolai nodded and grunted in agreement. He didn't want to be seen too much longer in this armor.  It looked like it belonged to someone else. It was not his.<br/><br/>"Sure, I'll go fight for this Count Sachkov," Nikolai responded. "But I would prefer to sell this armor and get something better. I think if we are going to serve as swordsmen, we at least deserve better quality equipment." Beyond his better judgment Nikolai was willing to hire on as a mercenary and so was his new found friend, Pietr Sheremetev. He hadn't the opportunity to discuss returning to the Khoszul Lands with Pietr yet, but would go with him  and the rest for now.