A boar-lizard was one of the best land-based draft animals in Ascharon.
But horses had two advantages: one, the way the boar-lizard's legs stuck out of its body meant it was difficult to lead into narrow trails. Two, the boar-lizard bred rarely, with only one offspring in two or three years, making horses and mules cheaper and more widespread in number.
The boar-lizard's extreme aversion to cold could be simply overcome by glyphs, so it was not as insurmountable a disadvantage as the two others.
The boar-lizard was most efficient on roads, and could pull twice or thrice more than the strongest horses, which was why military and merchants prized it for their convoys and caravans.
The road from the town to the Garge homestead was wide enough for two wagons to walk abreast.
It was a curious fact, considering that much of the land near the original homestead was forest and woodland. There was no reason for such a wide and well-built road.
This chapter is also known as: The Girl in the Water, but eh...