Chapter 36

Though the expeditionary party managed to descend the mountain before the night deepened, the village they had chosen to stop in was empty. It seemed all its inhabitants had migrated south a long time ago. After poking around the broken-down fences and decrepit homes, they patched up some of the cottages that were in relatively better condition.

In no time at all, the Temple Knights set up makeshift lodgings by covering the dilapidated roofs with leather sacks and adding planks to the walls. The mages cleared rats and spiders from a barn to feed and water the horses. Riftan and his men mended the battered fences and lit fires around the camp, keeping an eye out for possible monster attacks.

"Is all this really necessary for one night?" Ruth grumbled as he drew a temporary barrier rune around the fences.

Brushing off the thick snowflakes that clung to his face, Riftan glowered at the sorcerer. "If you don't want tonight to be your last, do as you're told."