Vaskel glanced at the door that led behind the tavern to the collection of elf tents and beyond that to the stream. “Do you think she’s okay?”
“Well, she did just learn that her elf brother, whom she’s never met, has been stalking her.” Sass shrugged. “The upside is that she’ll probably work through all this by baking.”
Thrain leaned back and peered over his beard at Sass. “Are you happy that our friend’s trauma will benefit our bellies?”
Sass wiggled her way out of the chair. “I’m not unhappy I’ll get to test more types of scones and maybe a cake or two.” She leveled a finger at Thrain. “When your heart gets broken, all we get is a dent in our ale stores.”
Thrain spluttered at that as Vaskel made his way to the bar. The kitchen was quiet, and he imagined that Crumpet and Bramble were still sleeping soundly in the nests of dishrags that Lira had made for them. Even the raccoon had taken to staying in the tavern overnight, and Vaskel wondered how many other woodland creatures would eventually make their home inside the Tusk & Tail.
He walked behind the bar and leaned his hands on the buffed wood. It was the same bar it had always been and the same tavern he worked at every night, but it felt different now. He felt different.
Grinning, he started inspecting the glasses and tankards and was soon humming.
“Is that what I think it is?” Thrain asked. “Are you humming one of Sass’s sea shanties?”
Vaskel stopped and thought about it. “I guess I am.” He chuckled. “They’re catchy.”
Sass was beaming as she joined them at the bar, tying on her apron to start the day. “That’s what I’m saying.”
“A dwarf singing sea shanties.” Thrain shook his head. “It’s wrong is what it is.”
Vaskel had just resumed his humming when Lira walked in through the back door. They all stopped what they were doing and watched her walk to the bar and slide onto a stool.
“Drink?” Vaskel asked, although it was still early in the morning.
Lira nodded wordlessly as Sass hopped onto the stool next to her. Even Cali uncurled from the upholstered chair and walked over, taking the stool on Lira’s other side.
Vaskel pulled her a pint and slid it across the bar to her, where she curled her hands around the cool pewter but didn’t drink.
“He’s leaving with Malek.” Lira didn’t have to say who.
“Aye.” Sass patted Lira’s arm. “Are you okay?”
The half-elf loosed a heavy sigh, then sat up straighter. “I think I am. We spent a long time talking. Our father wasn’t around much for his childhood either, so I guess we have a few things in common.” She managed a smile. “That’s actually why he’s been traveling around the Known Lands. He’s looking for our father.”
“And now he’s taking Malek back to Lananore,” Thrain said.
Lira nodded. “He won’t stay there for long though, which means he’ll be back here.” She smirked. “And I made him promise not to wait a decade to come back. I told him he’s on human time, not elf time.”
“Wonder what it would have been like to grow up in the elf city,” Vaskel said. “It’s supposed to be so beautiful you can lose days just staring.”
Lira shrugged. “That might be true, but there’s still no place I’d rather be than here with all of you.”
Cali put a paw on top of one of Lira’s hands. “Same.”
Thrain sniffled and swiped a hand across his eyes. “Enough of that now.”
They all laughed and blinked away tears. Lira glanced up and met Vaskel’s eyes. “You broke the soul bind, I met my brother, and Iris finally got a stubborn hellkin to admit that he’s crazy about her. Not bad for a night’s work.”
Vaskel’s face warmed, and his mouth fell open. “Wh—how long have you known?”
Cali dropped her head on the bar, rolling it to eye Vaskel. “Soooooooo long.”
“I’m glad I got to see it happen before I died,” Sass said, and the others nodded in agreement.
Now Vaskel laughed. “Well, I’m happy I finally admitted it, too.”
“But if anyone needs powders or tonics,” Cali said, “Vaskel has an impressive stash of them.”
