Clara, astride her beast, quickly caught up to Ethan.
"Get on! It's going to rain—we need to get into the city, fast!" she urged, riding alongside him. This time, she didn't call him 'benefactor.' Probably still annoyed about how he'd played her earlier. She assumed Ethan was walking because he didn't have a beast.
In the distance, a city no bigger than a pea shimmered on the horizon. That was Beastfall City.
"What's the rush?" Ethan asked, tilting his head.
Clara opened her mouth, then hesitated and closed it again.
"Let's take a break," Ethan said instead. "Tell me about this Beastfall Festival. What's it all about?"
He waved a hand, conjuring a tent. After a moment's thought, he produced a steel plate and set up the tent on top of it—cleverly avoiding any water pooling beneath. Once it was done, he stepped right inside without another word.
Raindrops were starting to fall more heavily. Clara hesitated a moment, then dismounted, took a deep breath, and followed him inside.
