The caravan ended with 300 slaves and their overseers, trailed by a dozen mercenaries. After pacifying the slaves, Sean turned to leave but saw Matthew approaching, without a kitten.
"Leaving already?" Sean asked, noting the missing feline.
"Kate's still in your library. I've other duties." Matthew held up Wild Passion. "May I buy this?"
"Keep it. Consider it a farewell gift." Sean grinned. "Thought you hated it?"
Matthew coughed. "The kitten… appreciates it."
…
At camp, Lucio awaited them. "Count's order: recall the garrison. John left with the troops, but I'm staying!" He winked. "For'research'on your cooking."
"Welcome!" Sean laughed. "Henry brought new ingredients. Join us for lunch?"
Lucio rubbed his stomach. "Wouldn't miss it."
…
Matthew departed, Kate in tow. Sean,Lucio,and Windsor hunted in Thorn Ridge, avoiding the Elven Forest without Matthew's Silver Rank protection.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest:
Kate transformed into her human form, flipping through Wild Passion. "This is genius!" she declared. "It's like a backdoor to a new world!"
Matthew rolled his eyes. "You've read it five times."
"Worth it. Shame the other books weren't as… inspiring." She smirked. "Otherwise, I'd stay in Riverside forever."
Matthew activated qi, leaping into the sky. Kate summoned her staff, flying circles around him.
"Race you to the border!" she taunted.
They vanished into the clouds, leaving Riverside—and its spicy novels—behind.