Page 27 of Crown and Dragon

“Because it’s a mission and nothing is ever easy.”

Tahlia grinned wryly and walked up the three steps to the stage, where a woman in a long red gown embroidered in tomatoes was finishing up a song about sailors, storms, and a dance that had apparently stopped a flood.

“And here they are!” the woman shouted, gesturing to Tahlia and Marius.

Marius froze, his glare admirable considering the hat currently residing on his head.

The woman grinned. “Ah, I see that he is the storm.”

The crowd’s noise coalesced into a great cheer for Marius.

Tahlia elbowed him. “See? I’m not the only one who thinks you are rather delightfully stormy. Also, I think we need to drop the cousins cover and play this up as a couple.”

Marius turned his scowl on her and she giggled.

The woman clapped her hands three times and the crowd quieted somewhat. They came closer to the stage, holding baskets of tomatoes.

“The lass must be our dancer, then!” the woman said.

Another cheer went up, and Tahlia bowed dramatically, glad her perfectly ridiculous hat had a chin strap. She wouldn’t have wanted to lose it.

She was having the time of her life.

“Let’s see what you can do, Storm!” the woman ordered.

Marius stood there, as calm and deadly as he ever was. The mass of people booed him and waved fists.

“The tomatoes will come next if you don’t get to work,” Tahlia said to him out of the corner of her mouth.

“This is madness. We need to get back to the street and get to the goal.”

“I doubt this group here is going to let us off the hook.” Tahlia jerked her chin at the people in the front row. Their faces were flushed with sun and ale both, and their eyes were just crazyenough to worry about. “Stomp around and growl. You’re good at this. It’s just another day at the job for you, love.”

He growled all right and it didn’t sound human at all. A hush began to sweep through the folks gathered close. She had to do something. Now.

She began skipping around Marius. “What a lovely day at the coastline,” she sang, making notes up as she went. A few people laughed and one shouted something about Tahlia’s arse. She only sang louder. “A lovely, lovely morn!” Gods, her voice was a tragedy, but she had to give it all she had. “I can’t imagine there ever being a terrible moment of weather with the sky like this!” She tapped the top of his head, then leaned up and kissed the end of his nose.

The crowd burst into cheers and warnings of the storm to come, even as the actual sky overhead rumbled with real thunder.

“Come on, now.” She poked his ribs on her next go round.

Marius, his tunic tight across his broad chest and his eyes unblinking, stomped his foot and the whole stage quaked. He lifted his head and let out a weak growl. Good. He’d realized his last one was far too feral to be a sound a human male would make.

“Ooooh!” the woman cooed and clapped, urging the crowd to make more noise for the storm.

Marius stomped again, then lifted his other foot and did a little double stomp.

“Oh, that is scary,” Tahlia said to the gathering, clasping her hands at her chin dramatically.

“Flood the town!” the woman demanded. Then she leaned close to Marius. “Lift her over your shoulder, man. You should know the traditions. Where are they getting guards these days?”

She sounded beyond exhausted with them, and Tahlia couldn’t help but chuckle. Marius rolled his eyes, then lifted Tahlia onto his shoulder.

“Spin her ’round!”

“Toss her down!”

It was a chant that all the people took up. Tahlia laughed as Marius did as commanded. He pinched her leg lightly and grumbled, “You are not allowed to find this entertaining.”

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