The Herald shrugged. “The only magic I know of is Mind-magic. And as for getting help, I won’t know until we get out there. But be assured I am going to be testing that contingency before things degenerate into an emergency.”

“Well, my friends, are we ready to start this journey?” Master Vance asked, cheerfully. “The road is not getting any shorter as we linger here.”

The Stablemaster approached them before the rest of them had a chance to answer and cleared his throat. “Just a word afore ye go. Ye all be riding and driving the best hinnies I’ve ever had the pleasure of havin’ in the Royal Stable, so if ye’ll listen to me a bit now, it’ll ease my mind.”

“Hinnies?” Master Padrick asked.

“Stallion father, donkey mother instead of the other way around,” Jicks told him, nodding. “They’re mules, too, they just have a little bit different personality from mules with a donkey father.”

“Aye, lady,” the Stablemaster beamed. “I see ye know your mules. Hinnies are a little slower, a little more careful about how they move. That’s why I chose ’em for you, since you’ll be traveling over some chancy trails. They’ll be much better over loose rock than mules. All the ones you’re ridin’ are gaited, so they’ll go smooth for ye. And they’ll eat just ’bout anything, where a mule’s more picky. They’re smart, smarter’n horses, and if you’re in danger, trust ’em. They’ll know what t’do better nor you will. If they don’t want to go somewhere, don’t make ’em, it means they know somethin’s wrong even if you can’t see it. The one thing to remember about ’em is this—they’re not stubborn, they’re smart. Be good to them, an’ they’ll be good an’ loyal to you and take care of you.”

Jicks grinned, leaned forward and scratched behind her chestnut hinny’s ears. “We’re already good friends. I’ll see to it this herd is well looked after. Thanks for picking this lot out for us.”

“All right then,” the Stable Master said, satisfied. “Off you go, and fair weather and good luck to ye.”

Abi mounted her bay hinny and immediately noticed how the handsome creature stood rock solid for her, not even shifting a tiny bit. Already she liked this hinny. She noticed that the bridle had a brass plate with a name engraved on it. Belle. “You’re a sweet girl, Belle,” she said softly, and was rewarded by seeing the hinny’s ears flick back to catch her words.