Chapter 52

Maxi turned beet red and pushed Riftan away. When he reluctantly released her, she strode away from him and wrapped her shawl tightly around herself like a shield. Riftan watched her uneasily and sighed.

"We'll pick up where we left off when I get back," he said.

Shaking his head slowly, he made his way to the armor stand. Maxi watched from a safe distance as he put on his breastplate, dragon engraved spaulders, greaves, and cuisses. He then secured the faulds and tassets in place and encased his gloved hands in silver gauntlets.

Maxi admired the dashing man before her. When he strapped on his leather belt, she suddenly remembered the trinket she had bought at the market the day before. She rummaged through the drawers for the colorful tassel.

"R-Riftan…"

Riftan turned to look at her inquiringly as he fastened his sword to his belt. After a moment of hesitation, Maxi held out the tassel.