“I’ve got more,” said Viv.
Fern tossed another piece to Potroast and then waved Viv over to the counter, where she unpacked the sack, laying out her bounty.
“Maylee’s, hmm? Youdidwant to apologize.”
“Yeah, she seems… nice. Friendly.”
“She does, does she?” The rattkin selected one of the lassy buns and took a surprisingly enormous bite. “Oh fuck,” she said around her mouthful. “Forgot howgoodthese are.”
Viv laughed. Her leg really was less sore today, and her mood was up. She slid twenty bits onto the counter beside the baked goods and picked up one of the biscuits. “Been wanting one of these since the first day.” She inhaled deeply and took a bite. The bread was still warm—moist and crumbly, with a hint of sourdough tang. “Eight hells, it’smadeof butter. You could have this every day, and you don’t?”
Fern frowned. “Well,someexpenses are more pressing.”
Viv stared around at the state of the shop uncomfortably, especially since she’d only just squared with Brand for another few weeks of lodging, with coin to spare. Mercenary work was deadly work, but it paid to match.
Potroast whined, and the rattkin eyed him, then polished off her bun before heaving a pleased sigh. “Anyway, never mind that. Any thoughts onTen Links in the Chain? How are you faring?”
“I’m fared. It got me through a rough day and then some. I’ve never really read like that… just toread.”
“You finished it?” Fern’s brows shot up in surprise. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Thanks for the suggestion.”
“You really want to thank me, you could subsidize this place by buying another.”
Viv propped her crutch against the wall and put an elbow on the counter, easing the weight onto her leg. “Business that bad?”
“I sell a lot of maps and sea charts, but…” Fern picked up one of the biscuits and examined it. “These days, that’s just bailing water. The ship will go down eventually.” She took a bite, closed her eyes, and mumbled another crumb-filled profanity.
An awkward silence followed, during which they both chewed and looked anywhere but at one another. Sadly, the shop itself remained not much to look at. At last, Viv swallowed and said, “Well, a sea chart isn’t going to keep me from going stir-crazy, and I’m stuck with this crutch for a while, so… any other suggestions?”
The rattkin studied her for a moment, and Viv thought she looked more weary than someone so young ought to ever be. Fern shook herself, though, and brightened. “First, tell me aboutTen Links. I want to know your thoughts.”
Viv frowned. She’d enjoyed the hells out of it, honestly, but… she wasn’t sure how to put that into words.
“Well. Ilikedit,” she tried lamely.
Fern snorted. “Yes, very illuminating.”
“The swordfights were great. Not realistic, but, you know, fun.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that, I guess. How about the characters, though?”
“Uh. Well… Madger was—She was… complicated.”
“Mmmhmm. How so? What stood out to you?” She stroked her whiskers, seeming honestly interested.
Viv thought about it. “She was hard. And I guess you like her for it. At least, I did. But sometimes…toohard. And then… Legann, he kind of pushes back, I guess? Sort of like they’re each only half a person. But if they press hard enough toward each other, then—”
Something ignited in Fern’s eyes. “Legann wasalwaysmy favorite, despite how everything ended for him. When Madger lost Legann—”
“She lost everything,” finished Viv. “Even though he betrayed her.”
“Did he though?Really? Or was he trying to keep her from betraying herself? And then the more important question… did hesucceed?”
Viv frowned. “Huh.”
“Well, while you wrestle with that, I think I have something you might want to try.”
