Side Story Chapter 5

Riftan glanced over again and caught the girl's crystal bead-like eyes twinkling.

Did she come to give this to me?

He brushed his finger against one of the flowers. Just then, someone bellowed through the door.

"What in the devil are you doing? We're up to our ears in work here!"

Startled by the angry voice, the girl froze for a moment before spinning on her heels and darting into the forest.

Riftan shot the blacksmith an annoyed glare. "We're out of charcoal. I was on my way to get more."

With a sigh, he pushed the cart onto the forest path the girl had taken. He did not think he would be able to relax until he was sure she had reached the annex safely.

After catching up with her, he followed from a distance as she skipped around the dense trees. He glanced down at the wreath dangling from the cart's handle. Had she made this for him? A smile tugged at his lips as he imagined the girl weaving it with her tiny hands.