"I'm hungry," I muttered, just loud enough for the man beside me to hear.

"Too bad. You had your chance at the market. We're not turning this cart around."

His tone was firm, as if he were in charge here. As if he could make decisions for me.

No way was I going to let a lowly thief dictate my choices.

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to punch him off the cart.

But if I did that, who would take me to Sunspire?

"Bite your tongue," I said, rolling my eyes.

He glanced my way, and I took a moment to examine him.

His tattered sorcerer outfit covered most of his body, giving him a strangely mystical appearance.

"Isn't it hot in that getup?" I asked.

"What's hot?" he replied, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead.

"I mean, you look like a wizard and wonder why people can spot you easily after you steal from them," I muttered, the last part slipping out as he turned his attention back to the path.

"Come on! I let you off with carriage dogs, and you repay me with silence?"

"I'm repaying you by not running off with the gold," He shot back.

"At least let's get to know each other. You're not seriously going to be quiet the whole ride, are you?"

He sighed briefly, still focused on steering the cart.

"Karma. That's my name," he said, his voice flat.

"Ironic," I smirked. There was no way that was his real name.

Who names their kid Karma? Someone who clearly hated them, I guessed.

"Well, I've done my part. Now what's your name?" he pressed, clearly trying to get me to open up.

"Not so fast!" I replied defiantly.

"You can't just give me your name and expect me to share everything about myself. That's not how this works!" I looked at him, with annoyance.

"Seriously, you're killing me with boredom!"

"Jesus," he muttered under his breath.