Tarek heaved a sigh as he finally glimpsed the town surrounded by the high walls. He patted his brown mare gently. " You did well so far. Water and food are waiting beyond that door."
The animal gave a loud neigh as it stood on its hind legs, flailing the front ones in the air as if to urge its rider to continue the journey.
The boy laughed as he snapped the bridle and they galloped off towards the open gate, only for a voice to call from above. " Halt!"
Tarek pulled on the reins and forced his mare to stop, making it circle in its place a couple of times as he looked over the wall. A man stood there with a bow hanging off his shoulder as he looked down at him. " You are a new face. Who are you, and what's your business here?" His hand reached out for his weapon, ready to shoot the boy if he didn't like the answer.
