Page 94 of Morel Dilemma

“Being shot at?” Zilek asked. “Oh, dear. Had I realized the archers were targeting my future elven companion, I might have shifted into my dragon form to assist with the melee. Despite the harassment that doubtless would have followed.”

On cue, the gnome captain addressed Jildarin again. “Chef Dragon, I must insist that you come with me to Peacekeeper Headquarters until we can determine what happened here. I—” He broke off when a copper-fur dog bounded down the stairs and toward the gnomes. Willow had arrived.

Bixtok came after, waving cheerfully at the golems and the gnome in charge. “Hullo, Captain Hegret.”

“What is going on here, Bixtok?” The captain fended off Willow, who investigated his pockets for treats instead of looking for nearby logs. “Aren’t you off-duty?”

“Yes, we were enjoying a fine, fine meal when half of the elves inexplicably turned on the others, and snipers opened fire from nearby rooftops.”

“That is why I had to turn into a dragon.” Jildarin was balefully eyeing the fine device, but he had to be more worried about losing his diner than paying fees.

“Yes, it was very exciting!” Amid much arm waving, Bixtok gave a fairly accurate summary of what had happened, though he didn’t know the motivations of the elves so couldn’t speak to the reasons behind the attack.

Since the captain was listening raptly to him, Rylana didn’t interject. Sylin, who had her back to the corner of the building and her arms folded over her chest, also didn’t seem inclined to add details. She alternated between watching the gnomes’ exchange and eyeing the street and nearby alleys, probably wondering if snipers lingered. Rylana thought Jildarin had scared them all off but couldn’t blame her for being wary. If being shot at repeatedly had bothered Sylin, she didn’t show it, but she had to be thinking that her curiosity had almost gotten her into a deadly situation tonight. Did she regret coming? Maybe, but she might also have expected this outcome and decided to meet Queen Fareesa anyway.

“I don’t think it would be right to fine or otherwise punish Chef Jildarin for changing into a dragon,” Bixtok said to finish his story.

“Because you enjoyed his delicious mushrooms?” the captain asked.

“He also gave Willow a soup bone.”

“Oh, well, if Willow was satisfied.”

At her name, the hound wagged happily.

“He was also defending the queen,” Bixtok said.

“She was up there, then?” the captain asked.

“Oh, yes. She’s very beautiful, and she wasn’t even fazed by archers shooting at her. She looked like she had fighting experience. She punched one of the elves who got past the others in the nose. And then that one…” Bixtok pointed at Sylin. “She’s a very talented fighter too.”

Rylana decided not to be offended that Bixtok didn’t remark on her talent. She was a little proud that she’d disabled two archers while managing not to fall off Jildarin’s twisting and tilting back. There had been a lot going on up on the rooftop, so maybe Bixtok hadn’t noticed her contribution.

“Hm,” was all the gnome captain said.

Zalani came out through the front door. “Oh, there you are, Chef Jildarin. What do you want us to do with all the… Uhm, are the elves sleeping?”

“They are in deep magical slumber from which they cannot be woken for a full day and night,” he stated.

“Also known as a coma,” Rylana said. “After which, they’ll suffer intense intestinal distress. Possibly during which.”

Jildarin made a face. “Not in my diner.” He pointed at the peacekeeper wagons, maybe thinking of requesting—or ordering—the gnomes to carry the elves off to their headquarters and jail. But his finger shifted as he spotted someone walking up the street, several elven troops accompanying him. “Captain Tassani.”

“Chef Jildarin.” Tassani, who must have safely escorted the queen to her ship, glanced at the gnomes, then bowed to Jildarin and Rylana.

“Captain, I require that you remove the elves from my premises.” Jildarin pointed through the door Zalani was holding open. “Before anything untoward occurs with their bowels.”

“Please,” Rylana added.

“Bowels?” Tassani mouthed, then looked through the doorway. “What happened to them?”

“An unfortunate overdose of enchanted morels,” Rylana said.

“An… intentional unfortunate overdose?” Tassani asked.

“If you didn’t want them drugged, you shouldn’t have mentioned the bad feeling you were having about them,” Rylana said.

“I… see. I don’t think they were all planning to turn on us, but if even some had, things may have turned out differently. I’m relieved they weren’t able to rush to the rooftop and join the others.” Tassani grimaced and glanced in the direction of the lake—and the queen’s vessel.