by Logan Jacobs
There were glass display cases, and the pointed roof of the building might be a clue to remember, too. I’d have to ask the others as soon as I could to see if they had any idea.
I also remembered what they’d talked about regarding the suspect of the painting. The commander was convinced the assistant to Eleran was responsible, but the assistant also said he saw a small human woman flee the scene.
Penny.
I wasn’t sure what to do with these new details. I wasn’t even sure if what I’d just seen happened. I was never a dreamer, if these were even dreams at all.
Fuck.
I sat up and shook off the loose pieces of hay stuck in my hair. Azure smacked his lips as he yawned and readjusted his position since I had woken him.
Dar’s foot twitched as he snored next to me in his own stall, and I rubbed my temples as I tried to clear my head.
If the commander gave any thought to the elven assistant’s claim, they would have to bring in any humans Eleran interacted with to question. I doubted they interacted with humans often, so the elves would add our catering company to the list of suspects soon enough.
I had to get this fucking elf off our backs, but how?
And what the fuck was in that chest?
“You alright?” Dar asked in a tired voice.
“Yeah, can’t sleep,” I said as I turned toward his stall.
“Looks like it’s morning anyway,” he yawned as he sat up and squinted into the growing light.
“We should get going to drop off those kegs to Selius.” I stretched my arm out over my head and stood to my feet. My strange dream lingered along the edges of my mind, but I pushed it away for now.
We had work to do.
“Shit, I never want to go back into that district,” Dar huffed and plopped back down into his bed.
“It’ll blow over, and we’ll be careful,” I replied and went over to his bed. Then I extended my hand to help him up. “Nice and easy.”
“That’ll be the day.” Dar gripped my hand, and I lifted him up to his feet. “Lemme wash my face first.”
After we got ready, we took the wagon Dar had parked on the side of the stables. Marver hadn’t mentioned it missing, so we figured we’d keep it hidden by us until the chef needed it.
“An elf would have to shimmy its slimy self inside of our wagon to see the kegs,” I reassured Dar since I could tell he was nervous about going back to the Halfling District.
I never would’ve thought the one place we used to spend most of our time was now a place we didn’t want to return to.
“I know, I know,” Dar panted as we secured the white canvas over the carts railings and turned the uncovered wagon into a covered one.
“And I don’t foresee that happening unless you drive like a maniac.” I shut the rear door and motioned for Dar to take the reins.
“Alright, fine, let’s get this over with,” Dar grumbled as he hopped up into the front seat of the wagon.
“Take your time, there’s no rush,” I said and remained calm myself.
I really didn’t know what to expect to see in the district. There could be an entire unit of elves still stationed on every corner, or there could be only a few.
Either way, we had a whiskey delivery to make.
Our drive was peaceful at first, but the closer we got to the district, the more I thought about the last time we were there.
I could still see the fire wrap itself around the face of the elf I killed like an orange blanket. Then the plastic coverings over his eyes melted and turned them black as I stabbed my blade through his heart.
“Elves ahead.” Dar nudged me from my memory, and his shoulders stiffened as we neared the turn for Guilder Street. “See them?”
“I do,” I said and put my arm around the back of the front seat. “No need to worry.”
“You want me to park in the alley?” Dar asked and glanced at me before he returned his eyes to the road.
“Yeah, that’s probably best.” I nodded and avoided eye contact with the pair of Elven Guards walking the opposite direction we were going.
“Guilder Street has never been this empty,” Dar muttered as he slowed our wagon down to make the turn into the alleyway.
“The pointy eared pricks have a way of emptying the streets,” I replied. “I heard when they built the towers it was just like this.”
“It’s all bullshit,” Dar said and pointed to the alley. “Can you make sure I don’t hit the fence?”
“Yeah.” I hopped down from the wagon and helped guide Dar into the tight alley.
He parked right where we had to duck down against the guild’s fence and stay out of sight the last time we were here.
“Think it’s open?” Dar gestured toward the back door of the guild.
“Let’s hope so,” I said as we both walked up to it. Then I reached for the handle and quickly pushed the door open. “Shall we?”
We were back in the guild once again.
“You think the Guild Master would approach you to run this thing?” I asked Dar as I shut the door. “You’re technically still part of it and the longest living member who is also a halfling.”
“I thought about it, but what should I do if she asks me?” Dar asked as he lowered his hood. “Tell her ‘sorry ma’am, but I’m too busy making whiskey and getting rich.’”
“Could be useful for us, but let’s cross that bridge when it comes.” I clapped Dar on the shoulder.
“That would be a weird position to be in, that’s for sure.” Dar scratched at his head and smirked at the thought. “Let’s find the kid.”
We walked straight up to the third story loft and knocked on the door.
“Dar?” Selius’ muffled voice asked from the other side of the door.
“You really need some better security techniques, kid,” Dar chuckled.
Selius moved within the room and opened the door.
“What’re ya guys doin’ here?” The young halfling looked much more rested since the last time we dropped him off. “Is the whiskey ready?”
“That’s why we’re here.” I nodded and moseyed over to the small attic window that overlooked the street.
“Okay, great, I can let the twins know today,” Selius said. “When are ya lookin’ to drop it off?”
“Today, ” I said as I looked out the window to see an elf dragging a weeping old halfling down the street. “We’ll go with you to let them know it’s ready. If they have the coin, we will give it to them. If not, then we’ll hold it until they do.”
“Today?” Selius rubbed his hands together. “Okay, we should do it while it’s still light out. We have a strict curfew around the entire district.”
“I thought that was just for the holiday,” Dar said as he leaned his foot against the wall.
“It was, but now, since the elven murders, as soon as night falls they want everyone in their homes,” Selius murmured as his eyes darted around like an elf was going to come swinging through the window.
“That’s not good for anyone here,” I said as I continued to glance out into the street.
“You were lucky ya got outta here when ya did.” The halfling shuffled over toward the couch.
“Have the elves mentioned when the curfew would be lifted?” Dar pondered.
“If they have, they haven’t told us yet.” Selius shrugged.
“That’s also not good.” I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes.
“How so, Wade?” Selius blinked up at me from the couch, and the expression on his face made him look like a little kid to me.
“Both the restaurant and community hall get most of their customers during the evening hours.” I tapped my finger on the window right where an elf stood. “Between the curfew and the elven presence, the twins will struggle just to stay in business, let alone have enough coin to purchase our whiskey.”
“Let’s see what they have to say.” Dar crossed his arms and nodded toward the community hall. “Do you know where they’d be,
kid?”
“Sully is always at the hall,” Selius said as he narrowed his eyes in thought. “Wyatt could be there too depending on when his restaurant opens.”
“Hopefully, they’re both at the hall. I don’t want to be driving around here on the same roads all day.” I moved back through the loft’s door and spoke over my shoulder as they followed me down the stairs. “We’ll bring our product with us.”
“Do I need anything else?” Selius questioned as he tied his hooded cloak around his chest. “My dagger?”
“Always bring your dagger, kid,” Dar groaned, and then he gestured for him to hurry.
“Got it.” Selius sheathed his dagger along the side of his leg.
“Dar, you drive again,” I said and waited for Selius to climb up the wagon. “You remember where the hall is?” I lightly elbowed Dar next to me as all three of us raised our hoods to deflect the sun’s glow directly above our heads.
“I … ” He squinted and turned his head in every direction to get his bearings. “I can just go through this alley and turn left on the other end?”
“Ya, ya,” Selius said as he pointed ahead. “I’ll show ya.”
We followed Selius’ directions and approached the sideways “C” shaped building.
“HD Hall 003,” Dar murmured as he parked the wagon on the side of the structure next to another wagon.
“I think that’s Wyatt’s cart.” Selius pointed to the other wagon in front of us. “He should be here, too.”
“Perfect,” I said and hopped down as soon as Dar parked. There weren’t any elves nearby, not like it was on Guilder Street that was for sure. “The kegs should be fine in the back.”
“Got it,” Dar said as he tied the horse to a nearby post.
Selius opened the front door for us, and we walked in to some halflings practicing a drama on the main stage.
“Do you know where Sully’s office is?” I asked Selius beside me.
“Oh, yes, duh … ” Selius bopped himself on the head. “Follow me.”
“Dar,” I nudged the entranced halfling as he watched the actors on stage recite dramatic lines, “come on.”
Along the far wall were a few offices, and Selius stopped at the last one in the corner of the entire building.
“It’s this one, should I knock?” Selius’ eyes darted to me then back to the door.
“I’ll knock.” I moved the kid aside and knocked loudly on the closed wooden door.
“Who is it?” Sully’s muffled voice came from the other end.
“Uh, it’s Wade,” I said and tried not to speak too loud.
“Who?”
“Wade, Selius’ friend.” I cleared my throat as I noticed the teacher near the stage look over at us with a hand on her hip.
The door suddenly opened, and Wyatt’s warty nose looked up at me.
“Why in the hell are you here?” Wyatt asked as he puffed on his pipe.
“We have to talk,” I said as I made eye contact with both of the brothers.
Sully was sitting behind his desk, and like last time, he was holding a cup of coffee.
“Come in, then.” Sully waved.
“Selius, stand guard by the wagon and let us know if you see anything that concerns you,” I whispered into the kid’s ear and watched him walk out the front door.
“You comin’ in or not?” Wyatt wheezed as he sat back down in the chair in front of Sully’s small wooden desk.
“I don’t have a lot of room in here for, uh, a human.” Sully smirked. “I apologize.”
“That’s alright. I’m used to bumping my head and feeling squeezed in the Halfling District.” I smiled and cleared my throat. “I came, we came, to let you know we have your whiskey.”
Both the brothers glanced at each other like they did the last time we met.
“I wish I could say I was happier with that news, human,” Sully took a deep breath, “we will gladly fulfill our end of this agreement, but … ”
“But what?” Dar asked.
“But because of the recent developments that have taken place in our district, my brother and I cannot commit to you long term.” Sully gestured toward his brother.
“In fact, we’ll probably just drink the whiskey ourselves,” Wyatt laughed as he peered up at me with weary eyes.
“You’re not even going to sell it?” I asked with a frown.
“Human, have you seen the elves out there?” Sully shrugged. “I know you’re not stupid.”
“As my brother said, we will gladly pay for this shipment we agreed to, but it wouldn’t be wise for us to try to force something that could end our lives as we know it.” Wyatt nodded at his own response.
“I even had some halfie, probably undercover, come in and ask a bunch of questions.” Sully chuckled and shrugged at the same time. “You’ve got some heat on you, lad.”
“Halfie?” Dar questioned.
“Yeah, half-human, half-elven blood.” Wyatt spat on the ground next to him. “Pure evil those are.”
“Are you sure she was a halfie?” I asked, confused at what he had just said. “And what do you mean I have heat on me?”
“I’m not positive. She was a looker, but had elven features.” Sully and his brother both nodded again. “She was asking about you, lad.”
“What the fuck?” Dar breathed next to me. “What night did this halfie come and talk with you?”
“The night after we met.” Sully narrowed his eyes. “So, you can understand why we wouldn’t want any long-term deal with ya?”
“Was the halfie in elven garb?” I asked and moved my hand through my hair. It seemed as soon as we discovered one problem, another would arise.
“Why does that matter?” Wyatt coughed and folded his short arms in front of him.
“Was she, Sully?” I directed my question to the more aware one of the brothers.
“No, no, she wasn’t,” Sully nodded as he remembered more, “that’s why I thought she must’ve been undercover with the guard.”
“After the murders, this whole place went to hell, ya know?” Wyatt echoed his brother’s response.
“And what did she ask exactly?” I tilted my head and focused on the brothers. I hoped they could remember.
“Asked if we knew ya, too,” Sully chuckled. “We ain’t stupid, though, we know when we’re being questioned. We kept our mouths shut, but we said we knew you since we figured they saw you leave the hall.”
“Nothin’ wrong with that though,” Wyatt added.
“You said she was a looker,” I started. “What--”
“Aye, she was blonde,” Wyatt sighed. “High cheekbones, blue eyes. Full lips. But she stank of danger and murder.”
“Shit,” Dar and I said together, and then we looked at each other.
I thought someone with blonde hair had been following me the other day.
“Get Selius back in here,” I ordered my friend.
“Got it.” Dar went off to grab the kid as I searched my brain for answers.
Were the elves following me? Was this the same person who was following Selius? Was it the same person following me? If so, why weren’t the elves kicking in the door right now?
“Do ya have the whiskey on hand?” Sully asked and pulled me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, we brought it with us.” I tried to keep my voice calm as I gestured in the direction Dar had walked.
“Ten gold each then, ya?” Wyatt asked and turned to his brother. “I’ll keep my keg here if that’s okay with you, Sul?”
“Fine.” Sully disappeared underneath his desk. There was a click and then a squeak as if he had opened a door. “Ten gold all accounted for, human.”
Sully dropped a small black pouch on the desk. A few gold coins spilled out from the pouch and spun onto the wooden surface like a golden dancer. The sight should have made my heart flutter like a bird, but now I was worried the elves were closing in on us.
“Can you cover me until I can get to my safe at the restaurant?” Wy
att wheezed toward his brother.
“Cheap bastard,” Sully muttered under his breath and dipped back down under his desk. Then he dropped another pouch onto the table, fished in the bag with his finger, and handpicked ten gold out. “I want that coin tonight.”
“Ya know I’m good for it,” Wyatt replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Twenty gold.” Sully glanced up at me and then to the door as Selius and Dar walked in.
“Oh shit.” Selius gawked as he saw the few gold coins on the desk.
“Haven’t seen gold before, kid?” Sully chuckled at Selius, who reached for a coin and bit down on it.
“Only a few watches, but not a lot of coins.” Selius flipped the coin in his hand and scratched at the back. “Looks real, Wade.”
“Thanks, kid.” I sighed as I turned back to Sully. “We’ll give you the kegs before we leave.”
“Do ya want me to go get them?” Selius asked as he started to walk out the door.
“No, no.” I stopped him. “I want to be out there with you when we bring it in.”
“Okay, sure.” Selius leaned on the office door frame.
“I wanted the kid in here too, because he said he felt like he was being followed,” I said as I glanced back at the halfling brothers.
“I was just exhausted, like Dar said, though, right?” Selius smirked, but I could see the doubt in his wide eyes.
“Well, that’s the thing, Sully and Wyatt said a halfie came in and asked them questions about me,” I began. “So, I wanted to see if you still felt like you’ve been watched lately or if you could remember what the shadow you saw looked like.”
“Not lately, since I thought I was sleep-deprived, but no Wade, I’m sorry, like I said it was from the corner of my eye.” Selius looked down at his feet.
“Don’t worry about it.” Dar clapped the kid on the back.
“I wish we could help ya out more, especially if this same halfie was following Selius.” Sully gestured to the halfling. “Fuck the blue bloods.”
“Alright,” I smirked and nodded toward the twins, “thank you for your prompt payment. But before we grab your whiskey, I have one more question for you both.”