Four days into their journey, Elira's patience was wearing thinner than the soles of a palace dancer's slippers. She cast a sideways glance at her traveling companion, who hadn't stopped talking since breakfast. Since yesterday's breakfast, if she was being honest.
"—and that's when my grandmother told me that if you ever find yourself face-to-face with a wild boar, you should climb the nearest tree," Anna continued, seemingly oblivious to Elira's exasperated expression. "But what if there aren't any trees nearby? I asked her. Well, she said, then you'd better hope you're wearing your fastest boots!"
Anna's laughter echoed through the forest canopy, startling a flock of birds from their perches.
"Fascinating," Elira muttered, adjusting her position in the saddle. "Simply riveting."
