A Lord's Generosity

Four days later, Kaelor arrived at Redwood Town, and all the slaves settled outside the wall, on the other side of the rice field.

Philip looked at the field, lush and glistening under the sun, brimming with life and abundance. His eyes widened. "I… is that rice?"

Damien squinted, frowning slightly as if the thought unsettled him. "If I'm not wrong, that is Starlight Rice, one of the rarest and most treasured varieties on the continent."

Philip's eyes bulged further in disbelief. "What is such a thing doing here?!"

His voice rose too high, drawing the low growl of a nearby Dreadclaw that turned its head toward him, eyes gleaming. Philip flinched and lowered his voice quickly, but his eyes widened again as two female Dreadclaws emerged from the town gate. Their figures were lithe, shapely, and graceful, their long, tufted tails swaying with each poised step.