I peeked around the corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever was sick today, but Velline tugged the curtain closed before I could see anything identifying.
Bummer. I loved knowing what everyone was up to. Sticking my nose into other folks’ business was my favorite pastime.
I headed off to Ginger’s Pub next.
The smell of lingering ale and warm vegetable broth wafted over me as I opened the door to the pub. I inhaled deeply, loving the way the smell comforted me. It wasn’t necessarily the best smell in the realm, but it was familiar, and it wrapped around me like a calming embrace.
Early in the day, Ginger’s Pub was practically empty. There were a few patrons enjoying a lunch or a goblet of wine but most of Moonvale saved their pub visits for the evening. Today, only a handful of folk were sitting at tables, chatting quietly.
“Hello!” I called out. “Are you here, Ginny?”
I waited for a few seconds, wandering idly toward the bar. I didn’t see the faun anywhere, nor did I hear the telltale clack of her hooves on the stone floor. I huffed out a sigh, plopping my satchel on the bar top to give my tired shoulder some relief.
“Ginger?” I shouted, louder this time. “Delivery!”
“Hang on!” a voice called from the kitchen, deep and booming. Certainly not Ginger. I leaned my hip against the stool, tapping my foot in a quick rhythm. I wasn’t necessarily in a hurry, but I didn’t like to be kept waiting. It made me snappy.
Tandor, the barkeep and Ginny’s most loyal employee, bustled through the swinging kitchen door, two bowls in each hand. He used his shoulder to plow the door open. It was an impressive feat, if I was being honest. I certainly would have spilled something.
He glanced in my direction, cracking a quick smile when he met my eyes before hurrying to drop the bowls off to the two humans sitting in the far corner. I tapped my foot faster.
The orc was massive, with skin the color of springtime moss and hair so shiny it made me jealous. He was also wasting my time.
I pulled the large pouch of sober dust from my satchel and dropped it onto the counter. Ginger had arranged a regular delivery of the stuff, and she went through it quickly. One handful, blown in a folk’s face, had the ability to stop a blubbering drunk from crying, or if Ginger was in a bad mood, snatch a pleasant buzz away from an annoying patron. It was one of my favorite recipes that I had created, with its mild stimulating effect and fun method of delivery.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Tandor! Ginny owes me five silvers for this one, did she leave that out somewhere?” I leaned over the counter, looking for anything that might resemble a payment. Unfortunately, nothing did. I glanced overat Tandor, but he was chatting with the humans, smiling and laughing at something the man with long blonde hair had said.
I sighed. Slow folk.
CHAPTER 2
Tandor
“Of course, yes, let me know if you need anything else,” I said hastily to the group of humans enjoying their lunch. I took a step backwards, hoping to extract myself, smiling in a way I was pretty sure looked genuine.
I didn’t want to offend the humans—and any other time I would be happy to linger and chat with them—but I had more important things to handle at the moment. I threw a glance over my shoulder at the witch standing by the bar, looking irritated. Her green hair was pulled up off her neck, highlighting her delicate throat and dainty pointed ears. Her tapping foot grew more incessant, practically vibrating through the floor.
I sighed. Starting off on the wrong foot, again.
“Hey, Tandor, can you bring us another round?” the blonde man asked. He was slurring slightly, a bright flush in his cheeks as he tossed his arm around the shoulders of the darker skinned man sitting next to him. “It’s our anniversary. We’re celebrating,”
I clenched my teeth. “Sure, sure. Just hang on a second?—”
“You know what, it’s fine. I’ll just drop this off and get the payment sometime later!” Kizzi’s voice called out.
“No!” I shouted a bit too loudly, my voice echoing in the mostly empty room. I hurriedly turned to face Kizzi again to find that she had slung her bag over her shoulder and was heading for the door. A seed of dread sprouted in my stomach. “Don’t leave. I’m coming.”
To my patrons, I uttered a hasty, “One moment, please, and I’ll bring you those ales.”
I abandoned the dining humans with a hasty wave, hustling over to the bar. Kizzi rolled her eyes but made her way back to the bar with a huff. The soles of her boots clacked against the floor with a slow, even rhythm as she moved.
I wasn’t sure why she made me so nervous. I was usually the confident one, but it was hard to be myself when just looking at the witch made my palms sweat.
“In a hurry today, princess?” I asked, ducking below the counter to retrieve the silvers from the safe. If it took a few seconds longer than necessary, I hoped she didn’t notice. I fumbled the coin pouch twice before I had a secure enough grip on it to stand up and place it on the counter.
Kizzi snatched it quickly.
“Always. I’ve got a million things to do, of course.” She squinted her eyes at me, her ears twitching. “And don’t call me princess. It makes me sound bitchy. Princesses are only in books.”
