Page 8 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
“That’s right,” the dwarf’s voice resonated with confidence. “We would have gotten him if he hadn’t been a goblin.”
“A goblin, you say?” The tavernkeeper lurched back and swung his head from side to side. “I’ve heard some rumbling about a roving goblin gang.”
“Exactly.” Lira latched onto this tidbit. “He must have been a part of the band of goblin thieves that’s been working in these parts.”
The dwarf shook her head and made tsk-ing sounds in the back of her throat. “Dangerous lot.”
Durn blew out an exasperated breath. “Well, where’d he go?”
Lira made a show of peering around in the dark. “I don’t know. He knocked the wind out of us.”
“And he was fast,” the dwarf added.
“Blood and ashes,” the man’s shoulders sagged. “This is the last thing I need.”
“At least he didn’t make off with anything,” Lira offered.
The tavernkeeper’s glittering eyes locked on her. “How do you know that?”
Lira's pulse quickened, but she merely smiled. “I assumed, since he wasn’t carrying anything when he ran into us.”
“He didn’t jingle when he ran,” the dwarf said quickly. “He must not have gotten any coin.”
“Not this time.” The man heaved out a breath that ached with weariness. “If it was a goblin, he’ll be back. Goblins are as stubborn as they are ugly.”
Those were bold words from the jowly, bald man, but Lira refrained from commenting. Instead, she thought of the cellar and how she still wanted what was buried in it. “That’s why you need us.”
“What?”
Lira wasn’t sure which of them had asked that, but it didn’t matter. She needed to have access to the tavern, and The Tusk & Tail needed security from thieving goblins. At least, that’s what its owner believed. “We might not have stopped him this time, but that’s only because we weren’t prepared. If you hire us to provide security, you won’t have to worry about the goblin coming back.”
The man choked out a laugh. “You two? Security?”
Lira could sense the dwarf bristle beside her. “You don’t think females can be deadly?”
“It’s not that. It’s that I don’t know which I trust less—dwarves or elves.”
This was fair. Elves were known for being aloof and self-interested, keeping mostly to their island kingdom of Lananore, and dwarves had a reputation for coveting the wealth of the mountains and spilling blood to keep it for themselves. Since Lira wasn’t a full elf, she didn’t take full offense. The dwarf, however, did not seem amused.
Lira put out a hand to keep her from charging forward. “It’s clear that you need help with this place. Not only are we both trained in combat, but we can provide the feminine touch that The Tusk & Tail has been missing for…” She let her words trail off.
“Two years,” the man supplied, this voice thick. “Alma’s been gone a bit more than two years now.”
So shortly after Lira had last passed through the village, she thought. That last visit had been so quick that she hadn’t even stayed overnight or seen anyone she knew, and she’d hoped she hadn’t been seen.
Then the man narrowed his eyes, latching onto Lira’s face in the moonlight. “Wait a second. I know you. You’re Elia’s granddaughter. The half-elf one.”
Theonlyone, Lira thought as her throat constricted but she nodded. “Lira.”
“That’s right.” He bobbed his head along with her. “You left after she…” Then he cleared his throat roughly and let his gaze wander to the ground. “You back now?”
Lira didn’t know how to answer that. Part of her wanted to return to the village where she’d once been happy, but another part was sure that the place held nothing but memories that would remind her thatthose times were gone. It was hard to imagine being in Wayside with so much that reminded her of her childhood but without the most important part. Instead of answering, she gave the conversation a deft twirl.
“The Tusk & Tail isn’t a one-man job,” Lira told him gently. “I’d like to…we’dlike to help you. I’m sure my gran and your wife would approve.”
The man dragged in a breath as if the effort was too much. “Alma always liked Elia. Loved her baking. Said she wished she could bake as good.”
“My gran used to say that no one made you feel as welcome as Alma.”
