I sank into the chair at the table and tore off a chunk of bread, playing the role of polite captive while cataloging everything—two trogg, one armed with a broom, one with supper. Bet they knew all kinds of things about this place and my captors. Best not to scare them off.
“I’m Serafina,” I said. “You must be the ones who treated me when Alaric brought me to the mountain.”
Myrna sniffed. “For all the good that did.”
Azuk giggled at the comment, rocking the bucket she held side-to-side. I frowned at their strange response, tucking a piece of unidentifiable meat into my mouth.Hmm,gamey.
Myrna gestured to my newly clothed body. “I see you’ve made yourself at home.” Before I could make an excuse for pilfering the king’s wardrobe, she huffed a nod of approval. “Better than traipsing around half-naked. We’ve nothing in your size anyway, what with those long limbs.”
Azuk stepped closer, squinted her one eye, and thrust astubby finger at me as if to give me a poke. “I’ve never seen skin so pale. You sure you ain’t dead?”
Myrna flipped a dismissive gesture at the girl. “Of course she ain’t dead, beetle brain. She’s breathing, ain’t she? Get to work.”
“Yes, Myrna.” At the sharp command, the girl was quick to drop her pail, extracting a cloth.
I swallowed the last of the meat and set my hands in my lap, weighing my next move. “I apologize for staring earlier. We don’t see trogg in Nefarr.”
“Because Puritans are uptight, closed-minded fools,” Myrna said, sweeping steadily. “That’s why we trade elsewhere.”
Azuk plucked a spider from a web and tossed it into her mouth, chewing. While my stomach rolled, she said, “Don’t know why the beast would put you in here, given the state of the place. Myrna and I will tidy it up for you, though.”
“I’ll help,” I said quickly. No sense in letting them think I was above scrubbing. And cleaning kept me near them, asking questions.
“Suit yourself,” Myrna muttered, then dug into her basket and set something by my feet.
“My boots!” Relief punched through me as I snatched them up.
“Salvaged them from the night the beast brought you to the mountain.”
“Thank you.” Appetite gone, I abandoned my meal. With the elderly trogg’s help, I managed to find a pair of socks to go with my resurrected footwear.
Once I’d secured the laces, Myrna helped me cuff the hem of my pants. I gazed down at her dark, braid-covered head. “Have you and the other trogg known the dragon for long?”
“Long enough to know better than to cross him.” She cast a pointed glare at the door and the jagged piece of metal I’d left on the floor. “Before you go and try something foolish, you shouldknow they have an incredible sense of smell. You’re not leaving this place until he allows it.”
I winced in mock remorse. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“Doubt he’ll see it that way,” Azuk sniggered.
Regardless, I’d not let their discouraging comments sway me. “And…” I hesitated. “Those who lived here before?”
Myrna’s broom stilled. Her eye narrowed. “We do not speak of the dark times.”
“But—”
“No,” she barked, cutting off my protest. “Trogg do not speak of the past.Hehears everything.” Both women spun in a circle, stomped their sandaled feet twice and spat on the floor.
I furrowed my brow, puzzling at their odd behavior. “Hewho? The dragon?”
“Darn it, girl. What did I say?” Her voice rose. Again, they spun, stomped, and spat.
And here I believed the Puritans were superstitious. Whoever thisHewas, they clearly didn’t wish to discuss him. Perhaps a less direct approach was needed.
“Fine, then.” I sighed, turning to Azuk. “Do you have another rag?”
Her single eye widened, then she grinned. “Several, actually.”
While we dusted, Myrna swept with stiff strokes, muttering under her breath about goddesses, curses, and things that should remain buried.
