Estra watched the pouch arch through the air to land in the back of the flaming wagon. The canvas walls had already burned away, leaving the blazing wooden framing exposed. A timber beam collapsed into the wagon bed. There was no way that the wagon could be salvaged now.

“No!” Maximilian shouted, furiously attempting to resist Axion restraining him.

“Murkuk, get rid of the rest. I want it out of my sight,” Dink commanded.

“Aye, Chieftain,” Murkuk obediently replied.

He replaced Dink where he had been standing in front of the chest, raising his staff. Upon seeing that, Maximilian became crazed. Bucking and biting at Axion’s grip. There was no contest, Axion stood a head taller than the merchant and possessed the true strength of an adept Attuned. He remained completely unmoved while solemnly watching Murkuk set the contents of the chest ablaze. Maximilian unleashed a loud mournful cry filled with sorrow, weakly slumping against Axion’s torso.

“What was that you just burned and who is that? The merchant? How did this turn from a rescue mission into you burning his cargo?” Estra could no longer resist asking, looking at Dink with a bewildered expression.

“He’s an Insipid trader,” Dink replied over his shoulder.

He continued to solemnly watch the Insipid burn, lost in thought. At his words, Estra’s demeanour instantly changed, becoming taut. She frowned, climbing down from the cart to stand beside him. She turned to silently regard his heavy expression.

“Then it’s good to burn it, get rid of it all. I’ll need to extinguish the flames before they spread, though,” Estra quietly said.

Seeing how tense he was, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. She could feel his troubled emotions through their bond. His tight muscles unwound and he turned to face her with a mischievous grin.

“Let it burn. I’m sure you can put a fire ward up to contain it,” Dink responded, his mood instantly changing as he buried his dark emotions.

“Sigh, alright,” Estra said in resignation.

Her face changed into an expression of concentration. Lifting her hands, she began making sweeping motions, drawing in mana from the surrounding area. The sound of wind moved through the leaves overhead. The last rays of sunlight piercing through the canopy above responded to her will. They were diverted away from their original trajectory, bending to surround the burning wagon. A circle formed of arcane Sigils hovered at waist height, gently lowering to the ground in sync with her hand movements.

The radiant circle contracted with the wagon at its centre. The flames that touched the Sigils retreated as if they were the thing that was burned. The arcane circle broke away from the beams of sunlight as they snapped back into place like they had never moved. Estra relaxed, letting out a loud breath while her hands dropped to her side. She teetered unsteadily with exhaustion.

Dink steadied her, examining the illuminated Sigils on the ground. Axion released the distraught merchant, who limply collapsed to the ground in a heap with a dejected expression. Axion ran to the chest burning outside the arcane circle. His mana tattoos ignited to fill his muscles with strength. He reached down to scoop up the chest, heaving it into the wagon.

The chest plummeted through the wagon bed, sending sparks scattering in every direction before disappearing from sight. The flames remained inside the fire ward.

He stood back, watching the blaze for a moment before turning to walk over to Betsy. On the way, he retrieved his great axe. He gave Betsy a reassuring pat before stowing his axe back under the bench, giving Tahlea on the seat a playful wink.

Tahlea looked away with a blush, inadvertently making eye contact with Dink. His attention was drawn to Tahlea's shapely legs dangling from the cart. She had hiked up her ruffled skirt, exposing tender white flesh. He swallowed back the saliva forming in his mouth.

Wow, Tahlea's legs look incredible. I'd love to get a better look at them. Ugh, I can only imagine how soft they must feel.

Dink snapped himself out from his daydreaming. He turned away from Tahlea to look at the whimpering Insipid merchant on the ground. His expression turned to one of disgust.

"Get up and quit your heartache. That Insipid would do the world more harm than good. Be thankful that I don't toss you into the fire after it. Your horse is tied at the edge of the trees, you can take it and go. It will be sundown soon," Dink said, pointing in the direction of the horses.

"You will all pay for this, my lord is Prince Chazrick of House Hydra. Gasp, Lady Estra. I, uh, didn't see you there. If I had, I would never have allowed you to see me in such an undignified state," Maximilian stammered, hastily climbing to his feet.

The merchant backed away with hands outstretched placatingly. He furtively looked around him for an exit after noticing everyone's stares turn hostile.

"Prince Chazrick, eh? Please forgive my poor manners," Dink said with a murderous grin. He clapped his hands together in an exaggerated fashion. "Oh, man-servant, please escort our esteemed guest to the horses. Don't forget to take his soiled clothing to be burned. Maximilian, before you go, please deliver your lord a message 'Dink says hello'. He will understand what it means."

Axion chuckled wryly, stomping over from Betsy. Upon seeing the wicked grin on his face, Maximilian chose to run. Axion's tattoos flared into life as he gave chase.

"Are you really going to take away his clothes?" Tahlea innocently asked. Dink just grinned in response before entering the camp.

"I'm feeling a bit peckish. I might help myself to the camp's supply of salted pork. Anyone, feel free to join me," Dink said, waving away any more questions.

***

Axion strolled back into camp with a self-satisfied grin on his face. Maximilian's soiled clothes were strung over a long stick held at arm's length away from him. Dink could practically hear his purring from across the camp.

Murkuk helped himself to another barrel, rolling it over in front of the burning wagon. He stood it upright before enthusiastically smashing open the lid. The entire time he didn't take his eyes off the burning wreckage, he was utterly mesmerised by the flames.

He buried his arm into the barrel up to his shoulder, feeling around inside. He pulled it out with a dejected look. In his hand was the last piece of meat, it seemed the bandits had already opened that one. He regretfully held it cradled in front of his engorged belly, hesitating before finally deciding to tear into it. He devoured it within moments.

Estra was meditating in the back of the cart in a deep trance, her expression peaceful. Unlike earlier on the road, she was now in a deep trance hovering above the wooden boards. Light similar to fireflies dancing around her. She was increasing her mana capacity whereas before she was only recovering her strength.

Dink sat watch at the edge of the camp. The sun had set not long earlier but the burning remains of the wagon provided enough light. Anytime it burned too low, Murkuk would throw in more wood, usually in the form of empty barrels.

"Excuse me, Dink. Can you come over here and join us please?" Riva tentatively called out, poking her head from the wife-pair's tent flap.

Axion paused in surprise after hearing her call out, giving Dink a knowing nod before changing direction to join Murkuk in front of the fire instead. He casually tossed the stick into flames, causing Murkuk to laugh in delight at the scattering sparks.

The wife-pair had erected a mana tent nearby. It was a simple magic tool that could compact itself for easy transport.

What could they want? They should realise allowing me inside without a chaperone, I won't restrain myself. They've been teasing me since leaving Chiset. I'm impressed that they have a mana tent for privacy, they're relatively inexpensive compared to other magic tools. But they're still unaffordable for most commoners. It must be a gift from Master Tavia.

[Explicit content Chapter 35.1 Good Things Come In Pairs found at Patreon.com/jackofheart]