Side Story Chapter 18

"My temper makes currying favor with self-righteous nobles a bit difficult."

"Yes, I suppose that would be the case," the merchant readily agreed.

Ruth sat a short distance away, cramming bread into his mouth. He made no attempts to stifle his laughter as he eavesdropped. Riftan shot him a glare before rising to his feet.

"We should get going if we're to reach the village before nightfall."

The men collected their horses and continued south. After half a day's ride through a field, a small village came into view. They rested there for the night, then traveled two more days before arriving at Balbourne, the capital of Osiriya.

Riftan could not help but gape as he gazed at the walls of the vast city that had once been the capital of the old Roem Empire. Once they passed through the massive, dragon-sized gate, a pristine road wide enough for six carriages stretched before them.