Karma’s right—we pick up speed, but our pace is nothing compared to the days before, when we rode with only the three of us. I understand. We have a long way ahead of us, and the beasts are loaded to the hilt. This pace provides excellent training for me, anyway. It demands me to reign in my enthusiastic stallion and my persistent impatience at the same time.
We settle into the steady cadence set by the headmen and their lead mules, supported by the vocals of the muleteers. The rhythmic tunes their throats blast out seem to work wonders in keeping up the pace and the spirits of our company.
Their vocals are also a great warning ahead for the small villages we pass through. Hearing our caravan approach from miles ahead, the locals prepare tea and meals and get ready to do some trade.
M
