Chapter 46

Rhobart groaned in annoyance, and Ayla blushed. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately around him.

It was snowing outside, and Ayla pulled the hood of her new cloak over her head before getting on top of Spirit, and Rhobart and her resumed their journey to the Hammer Clan. The morning passed without any incident, and around noon they were back on the main road.

When they passed next to a forest, Rhobart suddenly said, “I just remembered a shortcut to the Hammer Clan. By late afternoon tomorrow, we will be reunited with the others.”

“You do know shortcuts are often dangerous,” Ayla commented.

“Not as dangerous as your tea.” Ayla glared at him, and he cleared his throat. “See those mountains?” he asked while pointing at the horizon. “There is a path between them. Normally it is not dangerous, but sometimes goblins will try to attack travelers who are foolish enough to get close to their cave.”

Goblins were small humanoid creatures with green, leathery skin that offered some protec