Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The Seven Merchants Challenge, Part 1

Rath bought two pies before he headed for the fairgrounds, carefully tucking one away for later in the new pouch he'd bought himself with some of the money from Tress's book. Between those pennies and the money he'd earned working the docks three days in a row, he had nothing to worry about for once.

Well, except the tournament and not getting beaten to death. But he didn't have to worry about paying rent or buying food, which was always pleasant.

He ate the other pie while he walked, licking gravy from his fingers when it dripped. Reaching the fairgrounds, he finished off the last couple of bites as he joined the crowd milling about the grounds.

"Rath!"

He turned and smiled at Kelni, who came up and lightly smacked his arm. "We've been worried about you!"

"We? About what?"

She smacked him again. "The way you were bleeding? You ran out of here the other day like you were going to die if you didn't, ignored all of us calling after you."