Josen couldn't help but smile when the two horses shared an instant liking while their riders were sharing a feeling much the opposite. Oden nipped his mare's behavior in the bud when the flirtations first began but the mecenary allowed Fauste a few extra moments of prancing for no reason other than to annoy the mare's rider. He smirked when he saw Odin's subtle scowl. With a firm hand and a soft word, the stallion quieted and resumed his normal walk. "We are going to have to keep an eye on these two," he quipped in a voice not in the mood for quipping.
Odin responded a moment later. "Why exactly am I going with you?"
"You are going because I suggested it and you agreed," Josen unintentionally snapped. After having dodged every inquiry sent his way and skirting around truths of the few he did choose to answer, could the man really expect anything different? Then again, perhaps this was his way of making amends. Odin obviously had a knack for obtaining information without the usual necessity of having to ask the questions first. Josen wondered if he should feel flattered that the man was choosing not to use this knack now. He didn't of course, and chose neither apologize for his shortness or elaborate.
Odin took the hint and rode on in blessed silence. Josen resisted quiet's temptation to sift through his thoughts. Instead, he tried keeping his mind carefully blank but was failing the task rather miserably. It wasn't easy to keep your thoughts hidden and stay on your toes at the same time, especially when the man beside you could be either a friend or a foe. He watched him closely but there was nothing to watch. What was he expecting, the man to draw his sword and sling it forth with a holler? Josen shook his head and tried to relax just a little. If they were going to be betrayed it wasn't going to happen until they reached this mysterious castle. Not before. The words that had had been spoken about his son haunted the forethoughts of his mind. He was burning to know more but pride prevented his asking. It wasn't like he would receive a suitable answer anyway.
He pulled his stallion to a stop just before the city entrance. Odin stopped alongside him and raised an inquiring brow. Josen met the gaze steadily. His voice was low and firm. "I wanted you to accompany me for several reasons, the first one being I wanted a capable fighter and while I haven't yet witnessed your skills, it takes either a confident man or a fool to enter a camp of armed travelers and announce the kind of information that you did. I'm guessing you're the former. Second, for the hires that were trailing us. If they are still looking then your presence will throw them off, if only slightly. They can still recognize me. Thirdly, if you can read minds like I believe you can - that, or you're a very good snoop - there is a shoesmith I need to obtain information from. I was mildly hoping to rely on your gift if need be. People have the tendency to lie after they've hired the skills of a mercenary and truthfully, I hope that he does. I would be ill at ease knowing my good friend is employing himself with men of loose lips."
Josen paused to gauge Odin's reaction. There was only a slight, barely detectable trace of surprise in his eyes. "And fourth," he continued with a slight grin, "is so my companions can talk about you while your not in their presence, of course." That one had been a given. "And now I suppose I should tell you of this man we are looking for." Or maybe he knows it already, Josen thought wryly but continued nonetheless. "He is an old friend of mine named Ben who used to fight alongside me. When I left Ulis he took up lumbering and apparently it must've bored him, as he's wondering around here now as a mercenary. He looks like a big, walking tree trunk. Thick and dark everywhere, stocky and tall. Last I saw, he was wearing his hair short and if I know him, he hasn't changed it. He likes dressing dark, and he likes women and drink. The last man who hired him lives near the market in house with red shutters and brick steps. His name's Abe and he's recently been kicked out of the guild. That's where we're headed first. Any questions?"
