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W hen Cal next appeared with his tools, Viv proudly displayed the gnomish coffee machine. The hob was inspecting it with interest, thumbs tucked into his belt, when Tandri appeared.

Viv made the introductions.

“Charmed,” said Cal, executing a deep bow.

“It’s nice work,” said Tandri, gesturing to the interior. “I remember what it used to look like.”

The hob puffed up a little bit at that, and Viv was sure she saw him struggling not to smile, but he only nodded and said, inevitably, “Hm.”

Deliveries from the previous day’s excursion began to arrive and continued piecemeal over the balance of the day.

Cal hung the wall lanterns, while Tandri and Viv uncrated and shelved the dishware, rolled out the rug, and arranged the tables and chairs out under the front windows.

Midafternoon, Cal excused himself to run “a little errand.” He returned a while later, struggling with the awkward bulk of a wooden signboard. Breathing heavily, he set it down with the front facing away and drummed his fingers anxiously across its top.

“So,” he said. “I should’ve asked, but… seemed you were undecided. And nothin’ hangin’ yet . And after thinkin’ it over, I thought… well.” Viv could swear his cheeks were flushing red. “Ah, gods.” He huffed and spun it around for her to see.

The sign was in the shape of a kite shield, and the surface was routed out to leave two words embossed in diagonal script, with a sword whose profile she recognized dividing them.

“You don’t have to use it, ’course. Was just a thought, and I had some idle time, and I figured… well, you need a sign. Can’t have people thinkin’ it’s still a livery,” he said in a strained voice.

The sign read:

Legends

&

Lattes

“Cal.” Viv discovered her throat was a little thick. “It’s perfect.”

“Well,” he said. And then thrust it at her with both hands.

Tandri nodded thoughtfully. “Very memorable. What’s a latte?”

“Bean water with milk,” said Cal in a stage whisper, peering around the edge.

Tandri made a face.

Viv laughed and took the sign, holding it up to admire. “Just for that, I’m going to make you a proper latte, and you’re going to drink it. I’ve got a fresh jug of milk in the cold box, and I was practicing this morning.”

“Hm. First, let’s hang that sign.”

Viv was tall enough that standing on a chair brought her in reach of the iron sign-arm, and she looped the eyehooks over the spikes. Cal had clearly measured in advance.

They all stood back and admired it.

“One good turn deserves another. How about that milky bean water?” asked Viv, grinning at Cal.

He made a show of grumbling about it, but watched avidly as Viv demonstrated the entire process, finally frothing the milk under a silver spout that jetted steam. When she poured foam into the mug and placed it before him, he eyed it, then her, and after gingerly blowing on it, he took a sip.

His eyes widened. “Well, shit. Milky bean water. I’ll be damned.” He took another, longer sip and burned his tongue.

“This, I have to try,” said Tandri.

Cal gave it over while he whistled air through his scalded mouth.

After a careful sip and a closed-eye evaluation, Tandri pronounced it excellent. “There are gnomes in Thune. Why are they not serving this?” she asked, in a tone of wonder.

“Who knows? But I’d as soon they didn’t start,” replied Viv. “At least let me get a foothold first!”

“Cheers to that,” said Tandri, taking a longer drink. Her tail snapped a pleased whip-crack motion.

“I’ll have that back, thank you,” said Cal, waggling his hand for it. “Ain’t you supposed to learn to make ’em, anyway?”

“I’ve read the book that was packed in, but there is some kind of art to it,” she replied as she handed over the mug.

“Come on around here. I’ll show you,” said Viv. She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place … felt like hers. A place she’d still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year….

Home.

* * *

“So, opening tomorrow, you said?” asked Tandri, as they all sat together at one of the outdoor tables, sipping their respective drinks.

“I hope to,” said Viv. “Not really sure what to expect, though. If I’m honest, I’m nervous about it. Feels like there’s something else I should be doing to prepare, but I don’t know what that is, so I figure I should just get in there and get bloodied and sort it out as I go… as we go.”

“Well, ideally, there won’t be any blood,” said Tandri with a wry smile. “But do you really expect folks to just show up at your door? Are you going to advertise?”

“Advertise?”

“Put the word out. Signs. Hire a crier to let people know you’re open.”

Viv was taken aback. “I’d never thought about it.”

“For someone who has planned this as thoroughly as you have, I’m a little surprised by that,” said Tandri.

Viv felt both complimented and chastened at the same time. “I just stumbled across the café in Azimuth. I figured it might be the same here.”

“There were customers, though?”

“Sure.”

“That’s advertising by itself. You saw people buying, repeat business. It let you know it was worth investigating.”

“Huh. You seem to know a lot more about this than I do. Well… what do you suggest?”

Tandri thought about it before answering. Viv liked that about her.

“No harm in opening. We can find our sea legs. The problem I see is that even if you tell the city what you’re selling, nobody knows what it really is, the same as Cal and I.”

Cal nodded.

“So,” Tandri continued. “Maybe we need to educate them. Hmmm. Let me think on it. Tomorrow, a dry run, but frankly, I wouldn’t expect much. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

Viv furrowed her brow. “After both of your reactions, I guess I didn’t figure it would be such a hill to climb.”

“I don’t think you should be concerned yet,” said Tandri, briefly touching her hand. “I just think we should keep expectations in check.”

Viv was ruminating on that when she was startled by another voice.

“Well, miss, seems you’ve settled right on in!”

Laney grinned at them, her face like a withered apple.

“Laney!” said Viv. “Uh, I guess I have.”

“Can’t say I can figger what you’re about here, but the place looks a treat.” She squinted up at the sign. “Nope. Not. A. Clue.” She brightened and placed a dish on the table with a dark round loaf on it. “Seems you’re celebratin’, though, and today’s my bakin’ day.”

“Oh, uh, thank you,” stammered Viv. She introduced Cal and Tandri, and Laney nodded and flapped her hands at them.

“Can I get you a chair and a drink?” Viv held her mug up. “I can show you what I’m doing here.”

Laney made a big show of peering into the mug and sniffing deeply, but she flapped her hands again. “Oh, no need. My stomach don’t appreciate anythin’ new, these days. You all enjoy that and bring the plate by tomorrow.” She toddled back across the street.

Viv retrieved cutlery, sawed at what they surmised was a fig cake, and they all took experimental bites.

They each sat chewing for an extremely long time, laboriously swallowed, mumbled vaguely appreciative words…

and after a shared glance, burst into laughter, agreeing that the thing was wholly inedible.

They sat and chatted a little longer, and then Cal finished his drink.

“Hm. Seeing as how you’re all set, and I’m paid up.…” he said, looking down at the table. “Suppose the work’s done, far as that goes. Plenty to be gettin’ on with down at the docks, of course.”

“Well, I hope you’ll come by,” said Viv. It was hard to keep the disappointment out of her voice. She’d gotten used to having him around. “You stop in, and you’ll have coffee whenever you want it. I hope you do.”

“Might just do that, the need arises,” he said.

Viv thrust her hand at him. “Don’t be a stranger, Cal.”

He returned the shake, his hand swallowed by hers. “You neither, Viv. Been good work.” Somehow, from him, the words were touching.

“It was good to meet you, Cal,” said Tandri.

Then, with a nod and another small bow to both of them, he left.

Viv’s heart broke a little to see him go.

* * *

While Tandri rolled up her sleeves and cleaned the mugs in the wash bucket and set them out to dry, Viv went into the pantry and retrieved a long holly garland she’d bought when she’d gone for jugs of milk that morning.

For a long moment, she stared at Blackblood where it was mounted on the wall and then twined the garland from end to end and stood back, eying it critically.

“It looks nice,” said Tandri, drying her hands and startling Viv out of her reverie.

“I just thought… I don’t know what I thought.”

“Before, you could have picked it up and swung it at any moment,” said Tandri. “It was a weapon.” She gave Viv a thoughtful look. “Now, it’s a relic. A decoration. Something from before.”

Viv nodded. “Suppose you’re right.”

Tandri gave her a little smile that was almost a smirk. “I usually am. Something you’ll eventually come to terms with.”

“Well, you’ll excuse me if I hope you’re wrong about tomorrow.”

“If I am right, don’t take it personally.”

Viv snorted. “I’ll try not to.” But she was still worried.

While Tandri tidied up, Viv went to the dining area and the Scalvert’s Stone’s resting place. She tapped the flagstone with her foot three times, for luck, and then withdrew a much-thumbed scrap of parchment from her pocket.

Well-nigh to thaumic line,

the Scalvert’s Stone a-fire

draws the ring of fortune,

aspect of heart’s desire.

“I’ll be leaving now,” said Tandri, coming into the room and startling her again.

Viv hurriedly stuffed the scrap back into her breeches as the woman gave her a puzzled look. “Uh, great! Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow. Suppose I should try to sleep, but I honestly don’t think I can.”

“I’m sure–”

At a sudden clatter and thump, they both turned toward the front of the shop.

Viv ducked her head out the door.

Laney’s plate still sat on the wrought-iron table, but the neglected fig cake, which had been nearly whole, was missing.

Tandri joined her at the door and hummed.

“What in the eight hells?” said Viv.

“Well, whoever made off with it,” said Tandri. “I feel very, very sorry for them.”