Side Story Chapter 11

While Ruth enjoyed an easy admittance into the Blackhorn Dragons, Riftan ended up acting as his guard dog. It almost put his vehement declaration of having nothing to do with the mage to shame. They often had to work together on the same commissions, so he had no choice but to show the new recruit the ropes.

Riftan glowered as he watched Ruth rummage through his pack. He had thought he had gotten away with taking on this commission without the mage knowing. Yet, like a bloodhound on the trail, the runt had caught a whiff of the gold and tagged along.

Now the mage was once again a ball and chain around Riftan's heel. They still had a long way to go, but he was already munching on restorative herbs, his face drawn with exhaustion.

"We still have another half day's journey," Riftan barked irritably. "You look like we've been on the road for a month. Just quit if you can't even handle a hike like this."