He soon caught up a man who was walking slowly and carefully on the same road, picking his way to avoid loose stories and slippery places.
"Good morning, friend," cried Amer, well pleased that he had found a companion, "you are going the same way as I am."
"Yes," answered the man, "I am journeying to the Radiant City."
"How long have you been on the way?" asked Amer, wondering at the slowness and carefulness of his walk.
"I have been ten years," he answered ruefully, "and alas, have made but slow progress."
"Ten years!" cried Amer, "I have not been ten months! How is it, friend, you walk so carefully and slowly?"
"Because," he answered sadly, "I have had so many a fall through careless walking, that it has delayed me. Only last week I tripped over a loose stone and twisted my ankle, so that the next enemy that came past had the advantage over me."
"Do you use your sword?" asked Amer.
"My sword is never out of my hand," said the traveller, "had it not been for that I should have been lost on the road long ago."
"But look at me," said Amer, "I have conquered triumphantly the last enemy that attacked me, and am not now afraid. You should trust the King more and hasten forward."