Page 32 of Sorcery, Swords & Scones (Tales from the Tavern #2)
Thirty-Two
The fire had burned down to glowing embers, empty chai mugs scattered the tables and floor, and the air still held the lingering aroma of the crumpets that Lira had whipped up to dispel late-night hunger.
Cali had moved to one of the smaller tables near the hearth, her arms folded beneath her head as a makeshift pillow and her tail curled around her as she dozed fitfully, occasionally twitching an ear or whisker.
At a long table closer to the fire, Vaskel, Thrain, and Korl were focused on a collection of carved stone tiles etched with ancient dwarven runes. The tiles were sorted into neat piles, and each player had a small collection arranged before them on the worn wooden surface.
Thrain dragged his hand down his beard as he contemplated his tiles.
“The key to the game is understanding that each clan rune tells part of a story.
You don't just match them—you build legends.
" He selected a tile inscribed with what looked like a hammer crossed with flames and placed it deliberately on the table.
"Forge Set. Three consecutive from the Ironforge clan. "
Vaskel leaned forward, his burgundy vest unlaced and his black hair falling forward. "There's no way you just drew exactly what you needed.” He gestured dramatically at Thrain's tiles. “Are you sure you’ve explained all the rules to us?”
“I hope you’re not suggesting I’m cheating.” Thrain’s eyes glinted sharply as he slid three Honor Stones into his pile.
Korl grunted and pulled a tile from Vaskel’s row. "You discarded the North Mountain tile I needed for my Direction Set, so I’m playing the grudge marker.”
“The grudge marker?” Vaskel sputtered, his cheeks becoming a deeper shade of crimson. “What is that?”
Thrain rocked back and clapped his hands. “And I’ll take that marker and double my Mine Lore.”
Sass looked up from where she’s been trying to sleep in front of the dying fire but had really been listening to the conversation, a small smile playing at her lips. For one of the few times since she’d met the Tiefling, he looked truly like a demon as he seethed and scowled.
"He's not cheating, Vaskel. That's how good Thrain is at Rune Stones. It seems like he must be using trickery, but he's good at reading the patterns and knows all the dwarf legends.”
Vaskel muttered something about the truth of dwarf legends as he selected a tile bearing the image of a wave. The kitchen doors swung open and Lira emerged carrying a steaming copper pot of fresh chai.
“How’s the game?” Lira asked as she moved between the scattered chairs and the tables, refilling mugs and sending steam curling to the rafters.
Vaskel pushed back from the table, accidentally scattering several of his Clan Runes. “Nonsensical.”
“What’s nonsensical?” Rog's voice seemed to precede him as the gnome entered the tavern and crossed the great room.
“Thrain’s teaching him how to play Rune Stones,” Sass said.
“It’s not going well.” Cali lifted her head long enough for a satisfied grin to stretch across her face before settling back down .
Rog chuckled. “Vask has never liked to lose.”
“Which is why our crew rarely did,” the Tiefling said under his breath.
Lira rested the chai pot on the nearest table, her own smile shifting into something more serious. “Is Rosie okay outside?"
Rog's expression softened at the mention of his wife.
"She's fast asleep in the cart, bless her.
The journey and festival wore her out more than she'll admit.
" He gestured toward where he'd stationed his wagon outside the front door. “I’ve been keeping watch, but it’s all quiet. Not a dwarf in sight, aside from the ones in here.”
The casual mention of the threat that hung over her made Sass's stomach clench. As much as she was touched by her friends staying in the tavern with her and even the gnomes keeping watch outside, the presence of so many people edged toward suffocating rather than comforting.
Sass pushed herself up from her chair, her legs stiff from sitting for so long. “I’m going to get some air," she murmured, though she wasn't sure if anyone heard her over the newly ignited debate over the dwarf rune game.
She slipped toward the exit, the heavy wooden door opening with a soft creak, and stepped out into the night. Danger might lurk somewhere in the darkness beyond Wayside, but for a moment, Sass allowed herself to breathe freely, thinking that no one had noticed her departure.
But she was wrong.