by Logan Jacobs
I knew I had to answer him, and I had two directions I could take my response. I could’ve told him I didn’t know shit, or I could lead them on a little investigation toward Hebal’s dead distiller.
I wasn’t sure if the bastard was discovered or what, but if he was, that could start them sniffing around the Dwarf District and further away from here.
I met in the middle.
“Alright,” I sighed. “There have been some rumblings, rumors, on the streets.”
“Go on,” the general breathed.
“Now, I don’t know much, so don’t take me word for word, but I think I overheard someone in the Dwarf District saying there was a place to get something special over there.”
“Something special?” The elf looked at me like I just shit my pants. “What does that even mean, human?”
“You asked me if I overheard anything on the streets that might interest you,” I said with a shrug. “That was the only thing that came to mind.”
“Did you hear any name that provides this ‘something special?’” Tevian asked. “Where exactly in the Dwarf District did you hear this?”
“I’m sorry,” I said as I shut my eyes and pretended to think. “I heard nothing specific, and I don’t remember where I was.”
I wanted to make sure Hebal was kept alive and free.
He was mine.
But I could at least lead the elves toward the Dwarf District and scare Hebal a bit, especially if he thinks this whiskey business is so easy to do.
“Hmm …” the elf moved his eyes to Penny. “I’m assuming you’re also a thief, correct?”
“I’m retired,” Penny replied.
“Retired?” the elf scoffed. “Are you mocking me?”
“No,” the pixie muttered.
“Then, what have you heard, girl?” Tevian stepped closer to the pixie.
“Nothing different from what he already told you,” Penny replied as she nodded toward me. “I wish I could help you more.”
“Do you, now?” Tevian turned to his partner and then to Eloy. “They really aren’t giving us much. So, make sure you didn’t kill the halfling since he still hasn’t moved, and then I think our visit here is finished.”
“Yes, sir,” the other elf knelt and checked on Eloy sprawled across the floor. “He’s alive.”
“Good,” Tevian replied. “Or maybe it’s not over. It looks like he has some customers pulling in. Or are these friends of yours, human? At this hour?”
“Huh?” I turned around and saw Skam and Dar steering the wagon into the alley near the apartment’s staircase.
Brutal timing.
“Know them?” the elf asked. “I think you do; are they thieves as well?”
I felt both my hands and jaw clench at the same time. The very thing the elves were searching for just rolled up for them to find.
“They aren’t thieves,” I breathed as I glanced at Penny, who looked like she had seen an Ancient walk in the door.
“Well,” the elf clapped his hands. “Let’s go greet them, shall we?”
“Whatever you want, my lord,” I responded.
“Very good.” The elf smirked as he walked past me, opened the door, and gestured for me to follow. “What a fascinating night it’s been so far.”
I had a feeling it was about to get even more interesting for the asshole.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Penny muttered next to me as we followed the elf and his partner outside.
“Citizens!” The general stopped along the alley's edge and shouted toward the wagon parked near the iron staircase. “Come out of the wagon and state your business.”
Thankfully, they had the wagon covered, and I couldn’t really see anything inside at all.
“Is that you, general?” Rindell’s voice called out from somewhere near the wagon.
What the fuck was she doing over here?
Did she come with the crew?
“Who am I speaking with?” the elf scrunched his nose as he sniffed the air.
“I think ya know, darlin’,” Rindell said as she poked her head through the back of the wagon and then stepped down.
“Madame?” The general questioned as he looked at me and then back to her. “What business brings you out here?”
“My kind of business.” Rindell winked as she strutted over and stopped just in front of the elf.
“With who?” the elf narrowed his eyes. “And where?”
“Does that really matter now?” Rindell asked as she eyed me. “I took my show on the road until I can afford a new building.”
“We wanted to celebrate moving in our new apartment and invited the--” I played along, but the Madame interrupted me.
“They invited me and my new dancer over for some fun,” Rindell cut me off and then turned toward the wagon, “Cimarra dear, I think the general would like to see you too.”
I liked where this was heading. The elf wouldn’t question why they were visiting at this hour if it was for Rindell’s business.
“I would,” the general said, and he licked his lips as Cimarra stepped down from the back of the wagon. She still wore the same dress from this morning and looked as if the Ancients had perfectly crafted her out of sun, shadow, cherries, and marble.
“See, my lord,” Rindell whispered. “We are here for some fun.”
“Why doesn’t she have one of your extravagant costumes on?” The elf tilted his head as he watched Cimarra approach.
“I haven’t finished designing this one’s outfit yet,” Rindell said as she leaned in close to Cimarra and kissed her cheek. “But, for now, her looks attract more than enough interest.”
“If you’re into that kind of thing.” The elf grimaced even though I knew he was lying from the way he looked at Cimarra and the Madame.
“Now, now,” Rindell cooed as she touched the elf’s shoulder.
If anyone else touched an elf, they would rip their arm off, but Rindell was one of a kind with the Empire, and that’s why I wanted her on our side.
“Very well,” the elf cleared his throat. “Carry on with your appointment. I think we’re done here.”
“Maybe you don’t, but I sure dooo!” The captured halfling wailed out in song once again from the caged wagon parked behind us.
“Quiet him down, Golierian!” the general ordered his partner.
“Sir!” the officer moved over to the wagon and slammed his fist into the cage.
“Shall we?” Cimarra opened her arm toward the staircase. “Show us the way.”
“Of cour--”
“Madame,” the general reached toward Rindell. “I do have some questions for you if you don’t mind.”
“Oh?” Rindell hesitated to follow Cimarra, Penny, and I.
“You three are free, go on.” The elf gestured toward me as he averted his eyes.
“But my appoint--” Rindell started.
“Is with me now,” the elf cut her off as he ran a hand through his long hair.
“Ooh.” Rindell clapped her hands together and then winked at us. “Carry on, Cimarra, just like I taught you, Mama dove has some ‘questions’ to answer from our lord.”
“Yes, Madame.” Cimarra bowed and then opened her arm toward the staircase. “Lead the way, good sir.”
“Of course,” I replied as I grabbed Penny’s hand and headed toward the stairs. “It’s just up here.”
“I will meet you back at the nest in the morning, dear!” Rindell waved as she walked toward the caged wagon with the elven general and his partner. Then they all climbed into the front seat.
“Where is Dar and Skam?” I whispered to Cimarra as we approached the catering wagon.
“Right here, lad.” Skam’s head appeared from the front of the wagon. “Coast clear?”
“It is,” Cimarra said as the elven wagon pulled away. “That was close.”
“Too close,” Penny breathed.
“Did they take Rindell?” Dar asked as he hopped down from the other side of the wagon.
Chapter 17
“Why were the elves even here?” Cimarra asked with wide eyes.
“We need to talk about some things,” I said. “Selius still at the stables?”
“Yeah,” Cimarra replied. “He’s holding down the fort.”
“Good,” I said as I turned to the pixie. “Penny, lead them up into the apartment, and I’ll be right behind you.”
“Okay,” Penny said with a nod. “Follow me, guys.”
“Where are ya goin’?” Skam asked as he stroked his beard.
“I gotta check on the baker,” I answered as I headed back toward the entrance. “I may need you to take him home just on the other side of Guilder.”
“Should I walk with ya, then?” Skam asked.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod.
“The baker is still here?” Dar questioned. “Didn’t you buy the place?”
“I’ll answer everything upstairs in the apartment,” I said as I continued toward the front and gestured for Skam to follow.
“But--” Dar started.
“Shut it, follow …”
Penny and the other’s voices trailed off as I rounded the corner of the bakery.
“Is the baker still alive?” Skam asked as he walked beside me.
“He is,” I said.
“Good,” Skam replied. “I’m tired of seeing the wake of death the elves leave behind.”
“Me too,” I sighed as I opened the bakery door, stepped inside, and saw Eloy leaned up against the wall. “You alright?”
“Aye, aye,” Eloy groaned as he touched his face where the elf smacked him. “The fucker’s hand felt like a horse kicked me in the face.”
“Let’s get you on your feet,” I said as I moved over to his left side and Skam to his right.
“Who’s this?” Eloy nodded toward my dwarf friend. “He a thief, too? He wears the elven mark for one.”
“This is Skam,” I said as I positioned myself to lift the old halfling up on his feet. “He’s gonna take you home, okay? And would us being thieves bother you that much?”
“Wade,” Eloy began. “I wouldn’t care if you were an elven ogre after everything you’ve done for me. I was just shocked to hear you were a thief, that’s all.”
“So shocked your reaction almost got you killed, you fool,” I said as I gripped onto his arm. “You ready?”
“Hold on, hold on,” Eloy huffed as he clenched his hands into tiny fists. “Okay, pull me up.”
So Skam and I gently pulled the halfling up to his feet and then made sure he was steady.
“Fuck,” Eloy hissed. “My back hurts too.”
“Do ya need a doctor, lad?” Skam asked as his hand hovered over the halfling's shoulder to make sure he didn’t fall over.
“I might,” Eloy replied. “Maybe in the morning, though.”
“Aye.” Skam nodded and then looked to me for more direction.
“Just take him home for now, and I can send someone over to check on him tomorrow if you’d l--”
“I’ll be fine,” Eloy cut me off. “I have to open up the bakery first thing in the morning.”
“That is if you can move in the morning,” I chuckled. “It might be easier if you just lie low until we handle what we discussed earlier today.”
“I’ll see ya in the morning, Wade,” Eloy said with a smirk as he ignored my suggestion.
“Alright,” I said as we started to walk toward the front door. “Then let’s get you home for now.”
“Please,” Eloy breathed as he shuffled his feet forward.
“I’ll take em, lad.” Skam wrapped his arm around Eloy and helped him move forward. “Do you think we should unload the cargo first?”
“Yeah, we should,” I said as I held the door open for both the dwarf and injured halfling. “Eloy, do you mind if we store a few barrels in the back of the bakery? I’ll make sure they won’t be in your way.”
“Do whatever ya want, Wade,” Eloy replied as he walked out of the bakery. “It’s basically your place already.”
“Perfect,” I said. “Let’s secure him in the front seat, and then we can move everything inside through the back door.”
“You’ll need the key,” Eloy said as he started to dig in his pocket.
“Just wait until you’re on the wagon,” Skam recommended.
“Whatever ya boys say,” Eloy panted as we rounded the corner of the building and walked toward the wagon.
“Almost there,” Skam encouraged the wounded baker just before we reached the front of the cart. “Alright, we’re gonna hoist you up, okay?”
“Go for it,” Eloy said with a nod. “I still got my arms, it’s my legs and back that are killin’ me.”
“Okay,” I said as I positioned myself again on one side of Eloy while Skam stayed where he was. Then we both lifted the old halfling with ease and sat him down on the bench.
“I’m on.” Eloy grinned as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the bakery key. “This will open the back door, but could you also lock up the front for me too?”
“Will do,” I said as I took the silver key from Eloy and turned toward Skam. “Start unloading the barrels, and I’ll unlock the back door and go lock the front really quick.”
“Aye,” Skam said as he started to walk toward the back of the wagon. “Should I get Dar down here?”
“Yeah,” I said as I raced over to the back door and unlocked it.
“Dar!” Skam shouted as he ran up the steps halfway.
“Huh, what’s wrong?” Dar asked as he opened the apartment door.
“Come and …” Skam's voice trailed off as I hurried around the building, locked the front door, and then returned to the alley to see both Dar and Skam unloading the barrels.
“What ya got back there, anyway?” Eloy asked as the wagon shook each time Dar rolled a barrel onto Skam’s shoulders.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I responded as I moved over to the back door and held it open for Skam.
“Whatever you say, Wade,” Eloy chuckled.
“Just drop em here?” Skam asked as he stopped in the back room.
“That’ll work for now,” I said as I watched Skam drop the two barrels against the wall and walk back outside near the wagon.
“C’mon Dar,” Skam huffed as he waited for another two.
“I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying,” Dar panted as he rolled another two barrels onto Skam, and the process repeated one more time until the six remaining whiskey casks were all inside the bakery.
“We’ll take the two chests and the painting up with us to the apartment,” I told Skam as I locked the back door. “And here is Eloy’s key.”
“Toss it over,” Skam held out his wide hands.
“Once you drop Eloy off, come on back,” I said as I threw the key underhand at the dwarf and then walked over to the wagon.
“Aye!” Skam caught the key, stepped over to the wagon, hopped into the front, and took the reins in his hands.
“Dar, gimme a hand,” I said as I climbed into the back of the wagon and handed the first chest down to Dar. “Got it?”
“I got it,” Dar grunted as he lowered the chest and started to walk toward the stairs.
Then I took the rolled-up painting, the other chest, and jumped off the wagon.
“You’re good to go, Skam,” I said as I followed Dar to the steps.
“Be back soon, lad,” the dwarf said as he started to maneuver the horses to turn around in the alley.
“Good work, pal,” I said to Dar as I walked up next to him.
“You sure the baker will be okay with us storing the barrels inside?” Dar asked.
“He will,” I said as we both watched the wagon complete its turn and head out of the alley.
“What makes you so sure?” Dar asked as he scratched at the back of his neck and then adjusted the chest in his grasp.
“Because we are
helping him,” I replied. “He’s on our side as long as we hold up our end of the deal we agreed to.”
“And what exactly is our end of the deal?” Dar asked as he started to walk up the stairs.
“That’s what we need to talk about with the crew,” I said with a smirk.
“Got it,” Dar said as he climbed up the last few stairs and waited for me to open the door.
“We’ve got a lot to talk about,” I muttered as I opened the door with my free hand and slid inside with the scroll and chest in the other.
“Is Eloy okay?” Penny asked from the round table in the kitchen. There was a lantern in the middle of the table that made both of the girls’ faces glow.
“He’ll be fine,” I responded as I moved over to the empty chair next to the dancer, put down the chest at my feet, and placed the painting on top of the table. “Skam is taking him home on the other side of Guilder and then coming back here.”
“But, you unloaded everything first?” Cimarra asked.
“That’s what we just did,” Dar answered as he put his chest down, sat next to Penny, and then looked around the apartment. “Do we live here now?”
“We sure do,” I said with a slight nod. “We are renting this place out from the baker for now.”
“Renting?” Cimarra asked. “So, we don’t own the bakery yet?”
“Not quite,” I said as I ran a hand through my hair and then scratched at my shoulder. “It’s like the theatre. We run it, but don’t own it yet.”
“May I ask why?” Cimarra prodded. “Is the baker, what’s his name?”
“Eloy,” Penny replied.
“Is Eloy asking for too much?” Cimarra wondered.
“His counter-offer was high,” I said with a nod. “But, that’s because of the situation he has found himself in.”
“Which is?” Dar asked.
“He owns the bakery, but he is drowning in debt from the loan his family used to buy the building over one-hundred years ago,” I sighed. “So, he’s stuck, and he can’t go save his son who is currently imprisoned by the Empire until he pays back what he owes.”
“Who does he owe?” Dar asked. “I mean, I’ve seen plenty of people in desperate situations just pick up and go, ya know? Fuck the loan.”
“It’s not that simple with Eloy,” Penny added.