Page 93 of Morel Dilemma

As Jildarin flew over the street toward the peacekeeper wagons, Rylana eyed his brother. Zilek was still sipping his coffee. Brella and Tezilly must have recovered from the initial surprise and distress over the attack, for they’d brought some of their carafes and cups down on trays and were distributing samples to the well-dressed visitors who’d arrived in carriages.

“I doubt he’s the kind of witness the peacekeepers are going to listen to,” Rylana said.

According to Zilek, he is respected and esteemed by all important persons in the city.

The gnome captain hopped down from his wagon, ignoring Zilek, and strode to the front door of the diner. He waved one of the fine-issuing devices in the air and pointed to indicate he expected the illegally shape-changed silver dragon to land right in front of him.

Another rumble-growl-sigh emanated from Jildarin. If not for his desire to keep his diner open and be permitted to continue to live and work in the city, Rylana suspected he might have lit the gnome on fire. Targeting more than his clothes.

“We’d better hope the queen will vouch for us,” Rylana said, trusting the peacekeepers would put much more weight into the opinion of the ruler.

But as Jildarin spread his wings to land, Rylana noticed that Tassani and the queen were gone. He must have decided to usher her back to the safety of her ship before anything else could go wrong.

Understandable, but…

“Who’s going to vouch for us?”

27

As soon as Jildarin landed and Rylana slid off his back, he shifted into his human form. Chin raised, he turned toward the captain, a mustached gnome with tufts of graying hair sticking out over his ears. Fearless despite facing a dragon—probably because six golems stood behind him—the peacekeeper didn’t quail in the least before Jildarin.

Before the captain could speak, the front door of the diner opened, and another gnome came out.

“Sir… there are more than two dozen elves in here that are unconscious. Some are face down in plates of mushrooms. Some tipped over onto the floor and didn’t wake up when they hit it. I don’t know what could have happened. I did make sure they’re breathing. If they’d been killed…”

“That would have been an atrocious violation of Tranquility law.” The captain glowered at Jildarin, as if certain he was responsible.

“The overdose?” Rylana murmured, standing at Jildarin’s side. She was surprised it had been so effective.

“It is not my fault they consumed too many enchanted morels,” Jildarin said to the captain while shivering an eyelid in acknowledgment at Rylana.

“You fed a dish to elven citizens of the enclave and of Tranquility that knocked them unconscious?” The captain rocked back in surprise.

“They were plotting against the queen,” Rylana said.

She pointed at the rooftop before remembering Fareesa and Captain Tassani were gone. Had they climbed down some of the vines dangling on the walls to avoid passing through the crowd out front? Again, Rylana found that choice understandable, but if Tassani didn’t come back to serve as a witness, all she had was Zilek.

Sylin was coming down the stairs, but, since this wasn’t the captain she’d worked with, Rylana didn’t know if her word would matter to him.

“You may speak to her majesty or perhaps her captain of arms at your leisure,” Jildarin told the gnome.

“Where are they?”

Jildarin must not have seen them slip away either because he looked around and up at the rooftop. “I no longer sense them here.” He turned toward Zilek, who was gazing at the bottom of his empty coffee cup without appearing worried for Jildarin. “Did you see them depart, Zilek?”

“I did not see them here at any point, my brother. When I saw a battle taking place on the rooftop, I decided not to venture up there. After all, I might have been prompted to turn into a dragon to defend myself, and that’s terribly illegal here.” Zilek smiled at the gnome.

“What are you even doing here?” Jildarin asked.

“Not being helpful,” Rylana muttered.

“I came to sample the exotic coffee promised by that flier.” Zilek pointed to one of many that Vilma had distributed. “What I’ve had so far is quite delicious, but where did the baristas go?”

“They might need to resupply,” Rylana said. “Part of their serving station was knocked over during the battle.”

“It is a shame when a fine brew is spilled. I also came to remind you of the deal you promised. A beautiful coffee companion.” Zilek smiled as he gazed toward Sylin, who’d come down the stairs but not left them. She probably wanted to avoid the peacekeepers or anyone looking at her and realizing she’d been at the center of the brouhaha.

“She’s been busy being shot at of late, but I’m sure she’ll be available at a future date for what I promised.” Rylana sent an apologetic grimace over her shoulder at Sylin.