Pretending to Be Asleep

Northeast of the Empire, beyond Quaalid and farther east, stretches a vast grassland.

It takes days to cross even on horseback, yet no one has planted a flag here or claimed anything resembling ownership.

Because this was the land of monsters.

In the Akhraban language, it was called Aiyan; in the Imperial language, the Demon Grasslands.

**

Tarmin showed Lise due concern.

“Miss Lise, are you sure you'll be all right in just those clothes? It'll get cold at night.”

“I'm fine. My companions are in another carriage. We had too much luggage, so we split up.”

Would people really split up just because they had too much luggage?

He found it a little odd, but they would be parting ways in three days anyway, so there was no need to pry...