“So I recently learned.”
“A lot of ships have wrecked on it over the centuries. That’s why the gnomes put that lamp out there.”
“Humans like to name things they do not like after dragons.”
“They name things that aredeadlyafter dragons.”
They hadn’t reached Lucky Island, but Jildarin stopped and looked into the lake, his hands gripping the railing. Was that rowboat heading in their direction?
“Your kind,” Jildarin said, “see my kind as savage beasts, but we have a culture, a history, a heritage, and we are as educated as your people—oftenmoreeducated since we live longer lives and have seen much.”
“Are you looking for sympathy? Dragons are incredibly powerful, deadly, and dangerous. You’re nothing like gnomes or goblins that have historically been targeted for slavery because they’re small and can’t as easily put up a fight.”
“I do not seeksympathy,” Jildarin said, a growl in his voice, and turned toward her, “but I do seek to change the opinions of humans, dwarves, and orcs toward dragons. Only the elves, perhaps because we’ve shared the same mountains and forests for eons, understand our kind. But through my excellent cooking, I will show humans that dragons are a sophisticated species who can perform and appreciate the arts, including culinary arts.”
Rylana had stopped a few steps back but had to fight the urge to back farther under his dark gaze. Out here on the dock, they were far from any peacekeepers, and she was well aware of how strong dragons were, even in their shape-shifted forms. While shebelieved she could win a fight with Vormalt, Jildarin was another matter.
“That sounds like a worthwhile goal,” Rylana said.
Jildarin tilted his head. They’d moved far from the lampposts at the entrance to the boardwalk, and the glowing fish that flitted past below didn’t illuminate the air above the water, so she couldn’t see his face well. She did, however, sense that his expression was less hostile.
“Not many humans have said that. When I came to open the diner as a way to show off my art, a newspaper proclaimed that the food was doubtless poisoned, being distributed by a dragon bitter due to losses during the war.”
“You’d think Tranquility would be open to a dragon chef. The whole background of the city is that it’s the only place in the world where all the intelligent species can live and intermingle and have peaceful relationships with each other. Those who don’t want that… aren’t supposed to live here.”
“Few want tointerminglewith dragons, regardless of the location.” Jildarin lifted a hand, directing the rowboat toward them. It had drawn close enough that a single fisherman—or was that a fisher goblin?—was visible rowing and attending nets that trailed behind him and into the water.
“Greetings, dragon patron,” came the raspy voice of the goblin as the rowboat bumped gently into one of the dock pilings. “You’ve brought a female tonight? Will you attempt to get lucky on Lucky Island?” He cackled.
“I will not. You’ve acquired rare and delicious fare?”
“I’ve caught eight eels this evening. Do you want them all?”
“Yes.” Coins clinked as Jildarin delved into a pocket. He waved for their visitor to show his catch before handing them over. “Elder Wognov doesn’t deal in credit,” he told Rylana. “One must pay in coin.”
“What’s the going rate for rare and delicious fare?” Rylana asked.
“Five copper for eels, three for thunder fish, and two for simple purple trout.” The goblin opened one of several insulated boxes in the rowboat, revealing a stack of eels. Their glows had faded with their deaths but were still prominent enough to easily count them in the dark.
“Last week, it wasfourcopper for eels,” Jildarin said.
“Because I didn’t have any eels.” The goblin cackled. “But I’ll give you a discount of two coppers if you take the lot. Three silver, eight coppers for all eight.”
“You are aware of where we are?” Jildarin asked, his tone cool.
“Oh, I’m always aware of where the pillars are in relation to the dragons that I deal with. But you are a noble fanged one, and I believe you will not slay the brave goblin who dares sell to such a fearsome individual.”
“I will not slay you if you honor your previous price and do not add on a goblintip.”
“Very well. Four coppers per eel, butnodiscount.”
“I will give you three silvers for the lot.”
“That is a discount of another two coppers! When I’ve already lowered the price.”
“Your math skills are excellent.”
“Unfortunately, yours are as well. You not only refuse to give me a tip but you barely acknowledge the many hours of work that went into the catch.”
