Tristan cut himself off with a sudden bout of coughing.
But Wolfe knew exactly what he was about to say. As it was nothing more than the truth, Wolfe never took offence at being reminded of the circumstances of his birth.
“That’s why I brought you along,” he revealed reasonably. “You’re going to enter the tournament, and I will fight in your stead as your Champion.”
Tristan plunked back down in the hay.
“Now it all makes sense! I was wondering why you suddenly acquiesced to my nagging to tag along. You seldom permit me to accompany you on quests.”
“They are not ‘quests,’ boy,” Wolfe reminded him. “Nothing of what I do can be phrased in such polite terms. I am a monster hunter, a killer for hire. The missions I take on are not for the untried. Skilled with a sword you might be, but only in mock combat. You’ve never taken a life before.”
“How will I be less untried if you never let metry,” Tristan argued. “It’s not that I’m eager to kill a man, but I know I can be useful to you. I can learn a lot from you.”
Wolfe shook his head, though the boy could not see.
“You’ve chosen the wrong man to follow,” he said.
“No,” Tristan replied staunchly, finally stifling a yawn.
“I’ve chosen the best.”
~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~
“Thirty-three gold pennies. A sturdy, sure-footed mount. A change of clothes for at least Sorin and I…”
Ere glanced at Rui somewhat apologetically.
“Nothing for you. You’re too small.”
Rui shrugged. She didn’t want to swaddle herself in what was likely flea-infested tunics anyway.
People of this age had extremely poor hygiene. The noxious fumes from body odor and bad breath in the tavern were almost enough to asphyxiate her.
“A couple water jugs,” Ere continued to enumerate his spoils. “Some other knickknacks and provisions that could come in handy. And loads of information.”
Ere looked at Rui expectantly.
What did he want? A pat on the head for his efforts?
She merely stared back, unimpressed.
Ere turned to Sorin next.
Obligingly, the male said, “Did good.”
Ere preened and smiled with pleasure. If he were in dragon form, he would have rubbed up against his Mate and purred.
Actually, rubbing up against his Mate and purring were exactly what he was doing in human form now. Sorin held him closer by wrapping one arm around his shoulder and leaning his cheek on top of Ere’s head.
Rui wrinkled her nose at the display of affection.
But surprisingly, she didn’t mind it. She’d never spent a lot of time with Mates. The dynamic between Sorin and Ere was interesting to observe.
Like watching a dance she didn’t understand but could appreciate for its passion. Or listening to a song for which she didn’t have the lyrics, but the melody still haunted her.
“Want to know what I learned?”
Ere looked back at her contentedly, basking in the solid warmth of his Mate’s body.