Chapter 71: Buying horse Accessories
When they stepped outside, the afternoon sun slanted across the land.
Johnny, smiling, led his handsome pink turkoman horse and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Kieran; the two chatted and laughed, the atmosphere easy and warm.
Before long they reached the Stable. It was a sizeable place, filled with the sound of whinnying horses and drumming hooves.
From afar the Stable owner spotted Johnny leading that distinctive pink Turkoman. A broad, eager grin lit his face and he hurried over.
'Hey! I remember that special horse of yours!' the owner called, eyes on Johnny. 'Here to pick out another horse today?'
Johnny waved a hand. 'Not today. We've come for the two we left here earlier.'
The owner nodded, returned to the counter, and carefully checked the records. Moments later he looked up and smiled.
'Ah, it's you! All confirmed—follow me.'
He led Johnny and Kieran deeper into the Stable.
They stopped at a roomy stall where a strawberry-roan Arden Warhorse stood quietly, coat gleaming softly in the lamplight.
With casual ease the owner gestured toward the Arden Warhorse.
'See? She's recovered nicely. At this rate, in a month she'll be lively as ever.'
He pointed to the next horse. 'And this fox trotter horse has stayed perfectly healthy.'
As soon as he finished, the owner asked, 'Any thought of selling them?'
Instead of replying, Johnny glanced at Kieran and flicked a subtle hand signal.
Kieran stepped forward at once and began inspecting both animals.
The owner realized he was dealing with someone who knew horses and kept silent, waiting patiently.
When the check was done, Kieran turned and gave Johnny a satisfied nod.
'This Arden Warhorse is top of her breed,' he added. 'Won't fetch less than fifty dollars.'
Johnny's eyes widened. 'Only fifty for a top specimen?'
Kieran smiled, expecting the reaction, and explained.
'These horses aren't particularly fast, and compared with Shire Horses their carrying capacity is limited. It's an awkward niche, so the price stays low.'
Johnny nodded, understanding.
'Still, I'm not selling the Arden,' he said. 'The fox trotter horse is the one on the market.'
The owner knew exactly what that meant; after days of care he was well aware of the fox trotter's value.
'Even without papers, I'll pay a premium—one hundred and eighty dollars,' he said at once.
Outwardly calm, Johnny quietly activated his Trade Mastery perk.
The appraisal told him the offer was already fair; there was no room to push higher.
He gave a slight nod of acceptance.
'One condition,' Johnny added.
'You must not sell this horse to anyone in Valentine. If my boss sees it, it might stir up bad memories.'
Puzzled but unwilling to lose the deal over a minor snag, the owner agreed.
High-end horses were scarce; even a break-even sale polished his reputation.
Besides, such rare colouring was practically priceless and almost never on the market.
With the bargain struck, Johnny showed no hurry to leave.
He strolled to another corner of the Stable and began browsing accessories.
Soon he picked out a rig designed to carry four long guns.
Mounted on a horse, it rolled the rifles securely; a quick flick unfurled them for instant use—travel made simple.
Before, Johnny could manage only two long guns and worried they might jolt loose on rough trails.
The new rig solved every problem.
On the owner's enthusiastic advice he added a compact camping tent.
Tiny but complete, it could be pitched in the wilds for a snug night's rest.
The owner painted a picture: lying beneath star-packed skies in that cosy shelter—pure bliss.
Johnny admitted the man was a gifted storyteller.
When the shopping ended, Johnny had one hundred and seventy dollars left.
Content with his new gear, he left the Stable with a light step.
On the way back Johnny told Kieran that once he officially joined the Gang, he'd personally find him a finer horse.
Grateful for Johnny's generosity, Kieran silently vowed to take special care of Johnny's mounts.
[ Hello fellas, hope you guys are enjoying the fic.
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