The morning's travels were under the canopy of tall trees that allowed dappled sunlight to weave around the path.

Arriving over a crest, they leave behind the forest. A mountainside that once had trees was clearly harvested. It provided a quite clear view of the ocean and small port town below.

The Gladiator points out the barge locks that run down the mountainside and points out looming large clouds over the ocean.

"We will take the locks down to the port. It is the season for mildly bad weather for ocean travel. We might get lucky if it stays fair."

At the top of the locks a barge is available, but there are many discussions as who will take on the work.

A young man is sent over, and he walks in a glum manner. On arrival, he adopts a smiling and official manner "So, all the way down today, Sir? May I suggest we keep the horse off the barge and tether it to the back? That will reduce the amount of water we need to add at each section."

Everyone of loaded and horse tied off to tall pole at the back of the barge.

The lad starts a small sluice to pour in channel next to the locks.

As it fills the section ahead, he opens the lock doors and barge drops.

This is repeated very often. He controls the water in the small channel so it arrives into the next forward lock and used foot controls to manage the doors.

No work needed for the passengers, but the lad is earnestly quick to each stage.

At the bottom everyone gets out.

The lad looks glumly up to the top.

The Gladiator asks "Is there is an event to happen tonight up there? One you had hoped to arrive at with some strength? Maybe a dance, with some you want to be there for?"

The lad nods.

The Gladiator pulls a metal tab off the horse rein and places it on the lad's collar.

"This tab marks you as acting on my authority. Take this horse back up there and inspect the area for anything I be interested in knowing. You can bring the horse back down tonight or in the morning. I quite likely will no longer officially be a Gladiator by morning. Please send me that metal tab, by giving it to the mages, when you get back.

Also, you can use this horse for pulling tomorrow, but this one is a homesick horse. It often will spend five minutes just standing. Give it some pellets and set it lose if it has been still for over ten minutes."

The lad rides off on the horse quite happy, and a bit surprised. A kind gladiator is an unexpected thing. Especially, him knowing about "soft hand" horse care.