Page 75 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
Lira might not have been surprised when they entered the orc’s home, but Korl’s dads were. They turned abruptly from where they sat at a massive iron table, and both had a slice of Lira’s apple cider cake in their hands.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” Vorto managed to say while Klaff only stared with cake-stuffed cheeks.
“Lira needs a weapon,” Korl said without preamble.
Her mouth fell open as he led her to the table. “I don’t need a—”
“You do if you’re being followed,” Korl insisted.
Both his orc dads bristled at this, even as Lira smiled at Korl, touched that he’d believed her without question.
“Is this true? Are you being followed?” Klaff asked, having finally swallowed.
“It’s a feeling I’ve had, that’s all.” Lira had learned to trust her instincts, but she also was used to dealing with danger on her own. “But no weapon is necessary.”
“Cake then.” Vorto held out the plate. “It’s delicious. Just as good as your gran’s.”
Lira flushed at the compliment, but Korl spluttered.
“You aren’t going to help her?”
Vorto smiled at Lira as he shifted his considerable bulk in his orc-sized chair. “I suspect Lira doesn’t need a weapon because she already has some. Am I right?”
Forty-Four
Silver moonlight paintedthe dirt road with broad strokes, as Lira walked beside Korl away from his home. She was acutely aware of his massive presence—the measured rhythm of his breathing, the subtle scent of smoke and metal that clung to him, the way he purposefully shortened his steps to match her pace.
Though she was grateful for his company, Lira couldn't shake the prickling sensation at the nape of her neck. She scanned the tree line, the darkened storefronts, the shadows between buildings, looking for any sign of movement. There was nothing, but the feeling of being watched was like a shadow she couldn't outrun.
"You keeplooking back," Korl said.
“Just seeing if your dads are watching,” she lied.
He twisted, grunting when he spotted the massive figures backlit in the doorway, thick arms wrapped around each others’ waists. Lira didn’t mind that Vorto and Klaff were watching. She thought their protectiveness was sweet.
As they approached the stone bridge that would take them back to The Tusk & Tail, Lira slowed her pace, reluctant to reach the tavern so soon. Korl matched her, coming to a stop in the middle of the bridge.
Without speaking, they both leaned against the low stone wall. Below them, moonlight danced on the rippling surface of the stream.
"I should have told you sooner,” Lira said finally, her voice barely louder than the water below. "About being a rogue."
Korl's massive shoulders lifted in a shrug. "It's all right. I'm used to my dads picking up on things I don't."
Something in his tone made Lira turn to study his profile—the strong jaw, the slight tilt of his head as he gazed at the water. It struck her then, how often she'd cataloged the details of others, tucking the information away for later.
"Sometimes noticing everything is exhausting," she confessed. "Sensing tension, picking up on hidden agendas, always being aware of every exit in a room. It’s become second nature, but sometimes I wish I could justbe."
The orc turned to face her, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight as he waited for her to continue.
"Observing quietly has always been one of my talents," she said, her fingers tracing the rough stone beneath her hands. "But I think that's one of the real reasons I wanted to come back to Wayside. It was the last place I remember where I didn't have to be on my guard all the time."
A fish jumped in the stream below, creating a splash that momentarily silenced the crickets.
"I missed just being the Lira who baked with her gran, instead of Lira the rogue who dwelled in shadows. Don't get me wrong—I was good at what I did. But what I really loved was the camaraderie of mycrew. When that was broken..." She paused, swallowing hard. "So was I."
Korl remained silent, but Lira could sense his attentiveness in the way his body angled toward hers.
"Seeing my old crew again has reminded me how much I missed that feeling," she said. "But now I'm starting to feel it with the tavern, with all our regulars. It's becoming a community. Maybe not quite a family yet, but it's getting there."
