After making some simple arrangements, Ang led the group to the beast pens in Fifth Town.
A cold wind swept over the snow-capped peaks. The Stampede Beasts whinnied softly, their tails brushing the snow as though they sensed that a new journey was about to begin.
There were thirty-four people in their party this time. Ang had already calculated the number of mounts they would need: one for each person, plus two Stampede Beasts to carry supplies, for a total of thirty-six.
These Stampede Beasts were tall and imposing, nearly two and a half meters at the shoulder. Their bodies were covered in thick fur, while their powerful curved horns wrapped around their foreheads like natural helmets, giving them an air of both majesty and steadiness.
"These Stampede Beasts really do look unusual." Nathan Klais patted the sturdy beast in front of him, curiosity clear in his voice. "Those horns wrap around their whole heads. They look like shield-bearing guards among warhorses."
Ang smiled faintly. "They may look like warhorses, but they are much slower than ordinary mounts. Their real strengths are their endurance and carrying capacity. They are suited for long journeys and hauling cargo."
As Russi Kota adjusted his tack, he asked, "Did you raise all these Stampede Beasts yourselves?"
"More or less." Ang nodded. "When I first encountered them, they were extremely violent. It took quite a bit of effort to get them accustomed to being ridden by humans. These ones have all been trained by our taming team and are much gentler now."
Everyone selected suitable mounts, and the trial rides went far more smoothly than expected.
Though enormous, the Stampede Beasts were steady in their movements. Riding one gave the slow, solid sensation of its hooves pressing into the ground, which made people feel surprisingly