Ryker chuckled softly at the kid's sheer terror. He set Doran down gently, dusting off the grime on the boy's ragged shoulders.
"I'm just messing with you, kid," Ryker said casually, letting his terrifying smirk melt into a faint smile. "But remember: this is the first and last time you take anything from my palace without asking."
Doran clutched his chest, his breathing ragged, before blowing out a massive sigh of relief. His scaled tail, which had been locked straight with fear, now drooped limply to the floor.
Ryker turned around and picked up a clean cloth bundle. Inside was a piping-hot portion of the remaining spiced venison steak, a few pieces of sweet bread, and a heavy blanket. He handed the surprisingly heavy parcel into Doran's arms.
"Take this to your mother and sister. Go
