It was along that very road, toward Gustglen, that Wilde now drove his horse-drawn cart at full gallop, pushing the exhausted animal to its limits. The rough road caused the cart to bounce wildly, creaking as though it might fall apart at any moment.
Then, from behind, the sound of multiple hooves began to close in rapidly.
Wilde cracked the reins harder, trying to pick up the speed—but there was no outrunning riders on horseback. In no time, the two riders caught up with him and forced the wagon to a stop.
"Hey now, where do you think you're going?"
The speaker was a bear-eared beastmen, scowling as he took hold of the horse's bridle. The sword at his waist and his rugged appearance marked him as some kind of hired guard or enforcer.
"Good thing we left someone watching the road," he growled. "When they said you galloped straight past, I thought, no way. Were you planning to break our deal?"
