Page 20 of Ale Storm

Rylana jumped in surprise, then grimaced with guilt as she realized she’d forgotten about Sylin’s date. Even though she’d requested that Tezilly keep an eye on her and Zilek, Rylana had meant to check in again and make sure Sylin hadn’t been traumatized by the experience.

“I’m going to the market.” Rylana waved Jildarin’s list in the air as Sylin fell in beside her. “It can be rowdy later in the day.”

“In Tranquility, rowdy usually refers to something like the raised voices of the crotchety old men who play Battle Dragons in the park.”

“It can also refer to market patrons getting pushy and arguing over the last of an ingredient remaining in a vendor’s booth.”

“Both events that would require the swift untying of one’s tranquility ribbons.”

“I’m mostly carrying my quiver because I’ve got that horn inside,” Rylana said, her voice low.

A dwarf and a gnome were walking past. Clad in the pale beige garments preferred by those in the crafters’ guild, they didn’t likely care about stolen antiques, but she was on edge now and eyeing everyone they passed.

“Some women favor purses,” Sylin said.

“Women who weren’t mercenaries.” Rylana summarized her encounter with the two dwarves, then asked about an equally pressing matter. “Did Zilek do anything to offend you and elicit a fork-flesh encounter?”

“No. When he asked if I would like to travel to his lair or a location of my choice to mate, he accepted no for an answer and didn’t press the matter.”

“That’s better behavior than I would have expected from someone who thinks lesser species all exist to serve dragons.”

“It was reasonable, but his incessant garrulousness was tedious. I would have departed earlier, but he started speaking about—no, complaining about—how he is the one who keeps hearing from his family about how disappointing it is that his brother won’t leave Tranquility to mate with fertile female dragons. He said they seek to lay eggs to hatch future generations. Apparently, the various clans are feeling an imperative, after suffering losses during the war, to repopulate their species.”

Rylana had heard the same thing, but… “There couldn’t have been that many losses or there wouldn’t be so many females here, trying to woo Jildarin.”

“That is what prompted me to continue listening and even to speak with Zilek. He said the two sisters that we’ve encountered before approached him and wanted him to involve himself in a plot to kill you and deliver a concoction to one of Jildarin’s dishes that would fill him with the urge to mate. It was something that contains those dragon spices and also includes an herb that is especially effective on their kind.” Sylin grimaced. “He gave me more details than I cared to receive, but, by then, he barely seemed to be aware that I was there. It sounded more like he was ranting. He told me that he informed the sisters that he would not participate in deceiving his brother or slaying his business partner. The sisters were furious but not surprised. They told Zilek that his aunt commanded that, if he would not assist in slaying you and helping them win Jildarin’s cooperation, he must at least step aside and let them enact their plan. For the good of the clan. He was forbidden from warning Jildarin about any of this.”

“Zilek told you all that?”

“As I said, it was a rant. Though it did occur to me to wonder if he was telling me, knowing I would relay the information to you, and that you would tell Jildarin. He seemed conflicted between loyalty to his brother and loyalty to the rest of his family.”

“I may be starting to like him a little bit,” Rylana admitted.

Sylin spread her palm skyward. “He sounded like he might be slightly disturbed if you were murdered. I admit, I was a little surprised he knew your name.”

“Zilek once mentioned that he appreciates that his brother is in a better mood now that I’m taking care of the tedious side of the diner business and I’ve sold off the gnomish commercial ovens that were prodding Jildarin in the back at night and affecting his sleep.”

“You must be honored to be so highly valued by dragons.”

“By two dragons. The rest…”

“Yes, the rest sound problematic. You may want to keep an eye out for a hired minion drugging Jildarin’s dinner.”

“I will.”

“On a possibly related note,” Sylin said, “someone is following us.”

Trusting Sylin had already gotten a good look, Rylana resisted the urge to spin about and peer behind them. Besides, it would be hard to see much. Crowds of people were flowing into the market as Rylana and Sylin passed between the two towers that marked the northern entrance, machicolations and arrow slits promising the ancient structures had been used by trolls for defense long before Tranquility had been built. Ahead of them, the wide aisles between tents, wagons, and permanent booths were also crowded, the popular market remaining open and busy well into the evening.

“Is it a dwarf or a dragon?” Rylana asked.

“A female dwarf.”

“Not Mya running after us with a scone delivery, I trust.”

“No. I don’t recognize this particular female dwarf.” Sylin gave her a sidelong look. “You didn’t order a batch of those scones, did you?”

“I do love alpine strawberries, but no.”