The Barter
By Lonelyrider

Story Highlights:
Merman
Angel
Muscle
Trading
Valuables
Gifts
Weapons
Horseback
Archery
Seashore
Men
Equines
Hippocampus

Hulking tank angel big James runs into an unexpected surprise & potential friend when out practice shooting his brand new riding bow.

James cantered along the seashore atop his brutish mount Thunder, pulling back the string on his new bow, which was smaller than the bows he'd shot before, having been designed for shooting while riding. James clicked to Thunder under him and let an arrow fly, smirking with proud delight to see he'd hit his target, knocking a rock off of a seawood-covered boulder; the tide was out, exposing shells, crabs and starfish along the shore as horse & rider rode on. James kept Thunder's reins spun about his saddle pommel as he strung another arrow and shot again; James trusted his faithful horse to go where he wanted, which Thunder did, his huge draft hooves pounding on the damp shore and throwing up sand about them as he bore his huge rider along; but it was no trouble, for the horse himself was a giant beast. James shot again and gasped a fast inhale in shock; his arrow hit an apple and knocked it off a sunny boulder, the sinewy merman sunning himself near by the apple target didn't flinch much at all.
"Oh, hello there." The merman greeted, James spoke to Thunder in a gentle voice.
"Whoa there, boy. Good boy. Sir, I am most apologetic for aiming so near to you, I was hyper focused on potential targets and didn't notice you there until I'd already let the arrow fly. Again, my sincerest apologies." James gushed, taking off his helmet and bowing to the merman on horseback. The merman's own horse, a big blue and green hippocampus, crawled towards him and got a pet; the merman pulled James's arrow from the apple and fed it to his hippocampus, who munched it with a happy neigh.
James's face grew soft & tender, and Thunder gave a jealous snort under James but stayed still for his beloved master.
"Oh my, he is most cute! I've never seen a hippocampus in the flesh, nor a merfolk so up close, oh, ahem, but excuse me, where are my manners. James LightningSword, gladiator tanker & warlock counsel's captain of the guard, at your service. Oh, and apprentice spellcaster & blacksmith, as well. Pleased to meet you." James gave another bow and then hopped off Thunder's saddle; James had combat tack on his big boy mount today instead of the English tack he preferred when out pleasure riding with his treasured sweetie. James smiled and bowed again to the merman, who cocked his head at James, taking him in, and James cooed to Thunder, patting his neck and feeding him a big fat carrot, which Thunder munched happily, giving the hippocampus a big horsey smirk as he chewed his carrot defiantly.
"Oh...yes, why hello, aren't you the sweetest little thing. Oh, there, there, Thunder. It's okay boy, he's just saying hi to us is all, buddy." James patted and stroked his jealous horse as the hippocampus, who was anything but little, nudged James and sniffed him, making James chortle; everyone who knew James knew he so adored equines.
"Yes, that's Cobalt. He was a present from my father for my 30th birthday. I must say, that's a fine bow you have there. You aren't too bad a shot with it, I saw." The merman admired. "Oh, yes, silly me. I'm Poseider Marinus, at your service."
"Nice to meet you, Poseider. Oh, thank you so much, it was a gift from my blacksmith instructor. He's a great guy, I buy all my weapons and armor from him. Have you heard of him?" James showed Poseider the dwarven smith in his magic hand mirror.
"Can't say as I have, I don't travel much beyond this lake where my people dwell." Poseider said.
"This is a lake? Oh my!" James cried, he smiled at Poseider & sat by him, his armor clanking softly & gladiator skirt spreading showing huge & thick muscled hairy legs.
"Yes, truly. James, would you be interested in trading that bow for something, you name what?" Poseider inquired, patting Cobalt who was nudging him.
"Such a cutie," James baby-talked Cobalt and patted him; Thunder turned around and showed his big muscled rear to them, not liking the attention the hippocampus was taking from his beloved rider. "I...well, I have gotten sort of fond of it, particularly with whom it was from. Oh! I know! Have you any shells or pearls? My girlfriend loves conch shells, & I like to buy or trade her a nice set of pearls to wear as often as I can muster. Have anything of that nature?" James inquired a little shyly, despite being three times the size of the merman.
"You're in luck. I make jewelry by trade, though my older brothers will be teaching me to hunt on the shore during high tide, which is why I want your fine bow. Here," Poseider showed James two necklaces he'd made from his saddlebag on Cobalt's flank & James gasped in wonder, smiling big; he was impressed. "This one is made of luscious pink pearls, very feminine. & this one of many fine cowries, also great for a woman to wear. I'll also include this enormous pearl, she could use it as decoration for her boudoir or dressing room."
Poseider handed James two gorgeous long necklaces of pink pearls and cowry shells and a pearl as big as Poseider's fist.
"Oh my! Oh my, oh my! My Lonely would simply adore these! Here, the bow is yours, with my gratitude! Oh, would you like some lessons?" James asked, he smiled at the merman as James tucked the two pretty necklaces and the pearl into Thunder's saddlebags, who stood with one hoof arched & shifted his weight.
"Thank you, but no need, my brothers are both hunters and will teach me all about it." Poseider replied.
James smiled at Poseider & handed the merman the quiver full of short arrows, picking up the two strays he'd fired and handing them to the smaller merman.
"Well, I best be going. Thank you for the trade, I'm most pleased with the outcome. I hope your girl likes my wares. Maybe I'll run into you some other time, you seem like an interesting fellow. Farewell for now! Hyah, Cobalt!" Poseider mounted his hippocampus's saddle, grasped his reins and the sea horse took off with his rider atop, slithering over the shallow shore at first and then diving under with his master as soon as the lake grew deeper; it was a huge lake, big enough to have weather and tides. James stood in awe beside Thunder, who nudged him and got a sweet kiss on his forehead from James.
"Wow boy. How neat was this, huh? What an intriguing feller. Okay big guy, let's get these back to our manor & have Miss Francine wrap them up in some pretty pink boxes & ribbons for baby rose. Come on, boy." James clicked to Thunder affectionately, slipping his horse a big sugar cube, Thunder nickered happily, pleased his water horse rival was gone and he had James's attention all to himself once more like he liked it; and tossing his burly armored neck, he pranced along towards the direction of home, feeling James pat his shoulder with warm liking as the two rode on leaving the big lake behind for their rural abode.







A special ty & photo credit to: 📸
https://unsplash.com/photos/persons.....er-vAwrYUEewok