Baichu flashed small smile to the two men and handed over the young witch. With that she strode into the plains and began to cluck her tongue at the skittish horses. Her eyes didn’t look directly into theirs’ and her palms were face up in a peaceful compliance that beckoned them closer. Only five (correct me if I’m wrong) horses remained after the fight. Three out of the six had fallen in battle against the Riders, but there was still two heavy breed horses hitched to the Wagon. They munched on dry grasses without a care of the things that happened around them as long as they got to stretch their necks down to eat. Their spirits were strong like their thick legs and wide shoulders, made to haul the burdens of their human masters. In native tongue she sent a prayer to the animals while taking the reins of the three sorrel quarter-horses; she’d take one of the heavy breeds that reminded her of larger versions of Khanate’s furry mountain ponies.<span style="font-style: italic">’Aw yes, Clydesdales. That’s what those are lovely horses are called.</span>’ They were without saddle or proper reins, and she didn’t expect that any of these people had much experience on bareback so she'd take one and give the other to one of the Tiger Warriors.<br/><br/>Her weary feet headed back towards her new comrades when the Cold Landers spoke up, their accusatory fingers pointed at the coward. "Khanate Baichu, what is your intention with this useless wretch? He did absolutely nothing to help us get free from our bondage. It would give me great pleasure to plant his corpse in this god forsaken land, if you wish?" Dark eyes glanced at Aelus and her mouth pressed into a thin line. “You may satisfy your own desires. As I stated earlier, I am not your Commander. We share no blood and you’ve given no Oath in my name. It was out of habit I led earlier.”<br/><br/>She twisted a lock of ebony hair while speaking, a brief and excited thought interrupted her midsentence about getting to brush and wash this tangled mess in the next town until she remembered to finish her words. “-but more bloodshed today is unnecessary in my opinion, Nickolai.” His name sounded strange with her accent and with an embarrassed flush she thought she’d have to practice her outlander’s speech better. Clearing her throat she handed the Horses to them and spoke again. “He made his choice.”<br/><br/>With that, she turned with a flourish to the wagon to gather the large horses and grab some supplies for herself. She heard the silver haired coyote bring up something about the Magic-<span style="font-style: italic">Flinger</span>Katharine being similar to an arthropod. The Noble scoffed rolling her eyes.<span style="font-style: italic">’I would compare the witch to something a bit more… beauteous than something so crunchy. But yes, both the woman and scorpion are deadly.</span>’ Baichu found two large fur cloaks inside the wagon thanks to the posh duke. She took the black wolfskin cloak and tied it around her midsection. The beige cloak she’d give to the witch. After looting the wagon of a large bag of coins, a breastplate too large for her but she adorned it anyway, a leather belt, and some saddle bags to which she put on the black Clydesdale she returned to the witch’s side whom was thrown up upon her steed. “Here.” She gave the woman the other cloak who absentmindly took it while telling off the Skinwalker. Then handed Nicolai the brown Clydesdale with a question in her eyes. “Can you handle this steed Nico-“<br/><br/>Aelus’s presence made the Miao stiffen and hush her question. Body warily turned to face the man before her. Her hand twitched to reach for her stave with such a predatory air suddenly surrounding her, but she held her chin high while he complimented her. “Sadly I have not heard of you, little man.” She replied curtly and that was when he took a dagger to her pride. Her almond shaped eyes became snake-like slits and she bared her teeth. If she was in front of her own people still… the Noble would have issued a challenge and slain the man like a goat for insulting her honor. But she was weary from enslavement. “I will not be spoken down to by a common man who would think his starving trickery was an insightful move. You weakened your body with your deception while I used mine to remain strong and discover their weaknesses.  So when I decided to take honorable and calculated risk in a moment of shock, thanks to the Sorceress, you had to resort to cowardice and an episode of insanity. Think I did not notice Skinwalker?” She turned her nose up at him. “You are like my Viper of a brother. I, as true Khan, pity you.”<br/><br/>She watched him shrug his shoulders and walk off. Spitting on the ground the Khan moved to Peschek’s corpse. She wasn’t so tired anymore thanks to that bastard. She stole Peschek’s boots and gloves to fit her smaller feet/hands, and took his large bag of coins he offered to Aelus too out of spite.<span style="font-style: italic">’Serves him right… Ugh to wear this weasel’s clothes disgusts me. I’ll need to buy supplies before I head back home in the next town.’</span>Lastly she snatched a crossbow to which she put on the black Clydesdale’s makeshift saddle bag before jumping up on the sturdy beast’s back. She noticed Nicolai had gotten upon the other Clydesdale and the other two had to regretfully share an animal she spoke up.<br/><br/>“We should get moving before we lose more light. I suggest we go down the road opposite of the way the fat duke came. Questions would be asked about a haggard party arriving in a town wearing their soldier’s armor.” With their confirmation she nodded pulling her horse up beside the Magic-Flinger’s, “Let us go Fiery one. Tell us if you tire.” And then moved herd past sauntering Aelus, the man with the talent to make everyone hate him, and towards a new future. Not knowing what would happen next but she hadn’t held such hope in a long time.