Traveling

“For the love of Mike, slow down, you daft beastie. My soup is spilling all over the table,” yelled Aragon from the door of his hut.

“Sorry, boss, but I want to get to the market. Cleo is going to be there today,” the snail replied.

“Oh, so it’s a woman that’s given you the fever today. Let me batten down the hatches, then full steam ahead,” teased the Mock.

Aragon and Trillium had been best of friends since anyone could remember. They had traveled the length and breadth of Darkwood Forest more times than there are cicadas in the summer.

Aragon the Mock mined rare spices on the far side of the wood. When he had enough to sell, he loaded his crates and barrels onto Trillium’s back to transport them to the market on the coast.

“So how long has it been since you have laid eye stalks on Cleo,” enquired his friend.

“Nearly two moons, she was away helping her mother harvest pond scum,” replied the snail.

“Should I make myself scarce like last time? I’d hate to be the odd man out,” wondered Aragon.

“If you don’t mind,” Trillium replied.

Aragon wondered what he would do if the two lovers decided to settle down and raise a few hundred little ones. “So are you going to ask her this time, or do you still have the heebie-jeebies?” Aragon asked nervously.

“Don’t worry about your taxi. We snails do everything slowly, especially courting,” commented Trillium.

As the sun hit its zenith, the travelers broke the forest’s edge and made for the market. “Once this load is transferred, I’ll head to Sally’s for a drink and a bit to eat. When you finish playing Romeo, swing by and pick me up,” said Aragon.

“Sure thing, boss,” replied the snail.

When Trillium called on his friend, the sun hung low on the horizon. “Hey, you old Mock, let’s hit the road. I want to be home by sunrise.”

Aragon said goodbye to Sally as he climbed the rope ladder to his hut. “Okay, let’s get out of this backwater dump and head to where the action is,” said Aragon, giving the barmaid a wink.

The travelers shared the latest gossip and then settled into silence to think about the work that awaited them at home.

“I love visiting Cleo and the market, but I love coming home more, don’t you agree, boss? ” the snail asked.

“For such a young pup, you’re quite wise. I guess that’s why you’re my best friend,” said Aragon with a wry smile.

“Thanks, boss. I like you too,” said Trillium, then turned one eye, stalked backward, and gave him a wink.

“Hey, keep both stalks on the road,” scolded the Mock.

“No backseat driving,” chuckled the snail as he opened the slim ducts and zoomed ahead toward sunrise and home.