By the time they left the eastern shelter, the mules had become familiar enough with one another to develop opinions about walking order.
The oldest wanted to lead. A younger gray animal wanted whatever position the oldest occupied. The remaining four cared chiefly about whether anyone had remembered breakfast.
Safa settled the matter with a rope, two handfuls of fodder and no interest in their arguments.
“People,” she said, “can copy that example.”
Rennit looked at Iven.
“I wasn’t going to lead.”
“You were going to make tea.”
“Useful people can do both.”
