Chapter 28: Kip and Alissa
He pushed through the final layer of onlookers, approaching the baron.
"Is he yours?" Noah pointed at Kip, keeping his voice level.
Kip's eyes widened with desperate hope. His mouth opened—
Noah shot him a sharp glare.
Don't. Not yet.
The boy's expression shifted to understanding. Whatever fragile trust existed between them, Kip grasped the importance of playing along.
Baron Richard's gaze travelled up and down Noah, taking in the foreign clothes with obvious disdain.
"Yes, he's mine," the baron replied slowly. "Though I've never seen you before. Strange clothes."
I really need to buy some local clothing, but that's for another time.
"Irrelevant." Noah reached for his coin pouch. "How much?"
The baron's eyebrows climbed toward his receding hairline. "You want to buy him?"