Page 89 of Ale Storm

“I suppose you have fought at his side against other dragons.”

“As recently as this morning.”

“You got into another fight with those sisters?”

“Among others.” Rylana summed up the morning’s events.

“You’re not adopting healthy longevity practices, you know.”

“Since we met fighting as mercenaries in a war, my predilections in that area can’t surprise you.”

Sylin inclined her head. “No. Forgive my humor. You are a noble warrior, loyal companion, and I can’t imagine another more easily winning the love of a dragon.”

“Thank you. I know you struggle to give compliments without snark seeping into your tone.”

“We both struggle with that, I believe.”

“That’s the truth. I’d better let Jildarin know that the king and his fifty closest buddies will arrive this evening. Yes, you should come by for security purposes. If a battle breaks out, you can hurl Mya’s stonebread.”

“I’m not sure I’ve been training enough for that.”

25

Jildarin and Rylana considered closing the diner and allowing only the king’s party to eat that evening, but not being open for breakfast and lunch had left the regulars distraught. Long before the posted dinner hour, a long line had queued up outside. Since those customers were loyal to the diner and had a vested interest in seeing it continue to operate, Rylana doubted they would cause trouble. She did, however, direct them to the terrace so the main dining room would be available for the king’s party.

A couple of food critics she recognized were among the visitors, and Rylana was tempted to dissuade them from eating tonight. If the dwarves considered rockballs pedestrian, those immersed in the fine-dining scene might have scathing comments. But she trusted Jildarin could and would make lumps of ground meat exquisite. When last she’d passed through the kitchen, he’d been carefully spicing and mixing batches of it while setting out ingredients for his sauces.

Sylin arrived and claimed a corner of the dining room, her gnomish vacuum flask in her hand. “I scouted for four blocks in all directions and didn’t spot any shifty-looking dwarves. Just the fifty or so heading this way. I trust they’re expected.”

“Yes, thanks for checking.”

Sylin pushed aside a chair so she could lean against the wall at her chosen table, all the doors and windows in her view.

Rylana let Jildarin know the king was on his way, then rounded up the staff to make sure everyone was ready. To give them energy, she handed out sugar cookies slathered with a delicious ale-buttercream frosting that Mya had brought over. A few samples of what she would serve later that evening.

“Yummy.” Gniknik managed to get frosting on his nose and not notice.

Rolf jogged into the diner just ahead of the meal service. With his hair sticking out in all directions, he looked frazzled but also relieved. “My wives have recovered sufficiently from their illness to resume watching over our children.”

“They must be magnificent ladies,” Rylana said, unable to imagine keeping an eye on a dozen children, even with the help of a co-wife. “You’re lucky to have them.”

“I am, yes. And they are lucky to have me. I satisfy them nightly and give them no reason to stray.”

“Other than the fact that you’re always willing to take on a third wife?” Sylin asked.

She’d been propositioned more than once by Rolf.

“They would not mind sharing the child-rearing duties with a third wife. The challenge would be convincing a non-goblin to enter into such a relationship, but my vast stamina and horizontal agility would charm a newcomer, and she wouldn’t be quick to leave.”

Sylin made a face.

“Goblins are agile. Remember the kids we saw swinging from Plant Master Chalora’s vines?” Rylana pointed to a window where a few leaves were visible, swaying in a breeze.

“Just how she imagined her sophisticated elven garden being used, no doubt,” Sylin said as Rolf joined Gniknik in setting tables.

“She probably wouldn’t be fazed,” Rylana said. “Unlike many elves, she doesn’t seem stuffy. And she was teaching those children, remember. She can’t mind youths.”

“Elven youths. They’re far more intelligent and sophisticated than goblin children.”