Ray slung an arm over Allen's shoulder, letting his full weight sag against the taller man.
"What's taking them so long?" he whined. Even when he did not deliberately show it, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
The knight's childish grumble was a far cry from the stern, disciplined soldier he'd been just moments ago in front of Darius and Nikolai. Now, he was all about drooping shoulders and slurred complaints.
Allen stood like a wooden post, letting Ray's weight press against him.
The knight commander must be exhausted... not that Allen could blame him. Ten hours on horseback would drain anyone.
"Ughhh," Ray groaned, dragging out the sound. "I swear my bones have turned into soup. I think I am going to die."
"You'll live," Allen muttered. "But if you start drooling on my shoulder, I'm dropping you."
"I won't!"
"You did," Allen shot back without missing a beat.
Ray scowled. "That was a long time ago!"
"You were twelve."