Chapter 32

After giving them a few tocs to prepare for the trip, Smugbug led the heroes, with the dead Tomas borne on the shoulders of five sweating smug servants, to the smug stable. There were a dozen horses there, each of which appeared to be sturdy, healthy steeds ready for adventure. Smugbug made a true executive decision. He grabbed the first pair of horses he came to by the reins and led them out.

“Here,” he said, handing the reins to Bartz. “These are our two finest horses.”

“Thank you.” Bartz bowed.

Bartz mounted one horse. Nata mounted the other with Falca on her shoulder. The smug servants heaved and struggled and eventually managed to get Tomas’ limp carcass on the back of Bartz’s horse.

“Are you sure you don’t want to leave the body here?” Smugbug asked. “We could use a good scare-dummy to keep the birds from eating our crops.”

“Ah, no,” Bartz said. “I prefer to take him to East Cross Town for a proper burial. He may have been a criminal, but he was m