Chapter 3
Cyrus
I push away from the table and stand to leave. “You don’t want to mess around that site, let me tell you. The last person to give it a whirl died of a heart attack the very next day. We have a whole list of folks who have suffered various ailments after sticking their noses in whatever dark magic haunts that place.”
He’s rubbing his beard and looking off toward the rest of the patrons. “I didn’t realize that.”
“Aye, it’s not a good idea. But thanks for the information. How long are you here?” I’m only trying to be polite. He doesn’t seem to know any more than I do.
“A few days. Maybe more. It depends on a few variables with regard to my traveling party. We are off to the seaside villages for some fishing soon.”
“Sounds nice,” I say. “You stay away from those ruins, all right? I don’t want your death on my hands.”
DeFleurtis’s face clouds. “When you put it like that, it certainly paints a picture.”
“Good. Want another ale? It’s on the house.”
“You’ve given us too much on the house already. I’ll come up and pay for this next one.”
As he stands, I slap his shoulder in a neighborly way. “You’re not half bad, human.”
He laughs, looking a little nervous. “I mind my manners around folks who can breathe fire.”
“Smart.”
I head back to the bar and greet a stag shifter who comes through town every spring.
“Good day, Thanale. Want your usual?”
“Hi, Cyrus. Aye, thanks.”
I pour him a pint of Grumlin’s spring ale and hand it over. The retired wizard cooks this batch up each year alongside the brewer. It has fruity notes to it, but it isn’t overly sweet or acidic. They do a good job with the stuff. Thanale pushes a couple coins across the rough wood grain.
“How has living in the human realm been, Thanale?” I am impressed he chose to cross over after he married a human three years back. “It has to be a real adjustment.”
He takes a swig of his ale, then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. His antlers stretch across three stool spots. “It’s wild. The humans are even more curious about us as we are of them.”
“I bet it’s not easy being in a crowd and having those to deal with.”
“Probably as challenging as those wings would be,” he says, eyeing the tucked wings that peek over my shoulders.
I nod and pour myself a cup of the spring ale. He lifts his to mine and we toast to the weather. Everyone is happy to see spring arrive, especially after that crazy thundersnow we had this winter. Turns out, it was pretty widespread and ended up in the human town criers’ reports.
Kaya must have left because I don’t see her anywhere. The hatch-marked candle holder on the wall shows that it’s nearly time for me to head back to her bakery to help out. A flutter of excitement dances through me at the thought of being alone with her in her kitchen.
The dragon hobbyist is walking out the door with his group. I wonder if he’ll go to the ruins despite my warning.
Halvard refills some patron’s cups with water. I grab his elbow and lean close to his ear.
“Eh, do you really think the ruins are cursed?” I ask.
The orc’s eyes widen, and his meaty hand grips the pitcher so hard that a crack runs from the handle to the lip. The folks seated at the table next to us glance our way, then go back to their game of cards.
“Aye, Cyrus. I saw a ghost up there when I was helping Delixian free that goat trapped in the old fencing.”
“A ghost?”
He grimaces around his tusks. “It was a light and it screamed at us. Ask the healer. He’ll corroborate.”
“I believe you. I remember passing by during that drought when we were trying to find wishberries. It was Kaya, Tully, and I. Awful sounds came up from the ground near what’s left of the gates in the walls.”
“Why do you ask?”
I shrug. “A customer was talking about going up there for research.”
The pitcher cracks the rest of the way and water gushes onto the back of a female orc seated at the table.
“Oh!” She whirls and glares at Halvard, but then her face melts into a saucy grin. “You could have simply said hello .”
Halvard smiles politely. “I’ll get you a towel. Apologies.”
The female orc is still eyeing him as we make our way to the linen closet beside the bar. Halvard digs out a small towel and tosses it over his shoulder.
“I don’t think she’s too upset about that,” I say, snickering. “I will say, that’s a clever way to get a date.”
Halvard gives me a withering look, but then he sobers as we return to the table. The female accepts the towel and my apologies as pub owner. I promise her a free meal, then I start toward the door.
“Do you think we should alert Rustion?” Halvard asks.
“Maybe. I’ll take care of it. You all right here? I need to give Kaya a hand at the bakery.”
“Sure. We’re good.” Halvard is already turning away to serve a party of humans.
Outside, the weather is just about perfect. Tree seeds float through the air, maplecats curl under flowering bushes, and the town is pleasantly busy with tourists and residents alike out enjoying the soft breeze. It’s a short walk to Rustion’s estate and once I’m inside his gates, I find him quickly. He’s talking to his beekeeper, who wears a white tunic and a hat draped in gauze.
“Good afternoon, Cyrus,” Lord Mayor Rustion says, giving me a smile. The old lion shifter helped me get the pub started years ago. He invested in me, giving me the funds to build out the kitchen and purchase furniture.
“Morning, Mayor. How are the bees liking this weather?”
The beekeeper—I forget his name—nods. “It’s ideal as long as the wind doesn’t get too wild. The dandelions, crocuses, and daffodils are out in force.”
“Don’t let me forget to put in my order when you have the honey ready.”
“I will reserve your usual,” the beekeeper says. “Don’t worry.”
“Thanks.”
“What brings you here, Cyrus?” Rustion is studying my face and likely sees the concern there.
“There are some folks heading up to the ruins,” I inform him.
Both males’ faces fall.
I hold my hands up. “I know. I told them not to go.”
“You mentioned the curse?” Rustion asks.
“I did. But their leader appears to have ignored my warnings. At least, that’s what it seemed like to me. I figured it might be worth a look.”
“I’ll send a few of my guards up to keep them off the grounds,” Rustion says.
“If you want a hand, let me know. I can ask Halvard to join them if you need me to. I’ll be at Two Cats all afternoon and probably into the evening if you need to find me.”
The mayor gives me a funny look. “Really?”
I narrow my eyes.
The beekeeper clears his throat and says, “All right. Well, I’ll be off then.”
“What is going on at Kaya’s?” Rustion asks quietly.
“A fairy named Lady Egrettington made a massive order for the queen’s tea.”
Recognition lights Rustion’s eyes. “Ah, yes. I’ve met her. That is good news for Kaya certainly, yes? The lady offered to pay appropriately? I’ll set her to rights if she is trying to get something cheap from our folks.”
“She offered plenty, yes. But it’s a lot for just Kaya to bake.”
“She has Rosalind part time still, doesn’t it?”
“Aye, but this is a complicated order. And I think Rosalind might be gone for a while. Her sister is having twins.”
Rustion nods. “It’s kind of you to help out. Now, I must be going. I have a meeting with the Western Front Bridge Builders to improve the pass upstream.”
“Thanks for watching out for the tourists,” I say. “Their leader is a tall, thin human. A man named Rickon DeFleurtis.”
I bid him good bye and hurry to Kaya’s bakery. The sun is already sliding toward the last half of the afternoon and I should have been there already.