I woke the next morning with a sigh, falling into a stretch that ended with a satisfied groan.

  I must have been tired, as I didn’t remember getting home.

  Nor going to sleep.

  Judging by the fact I was still fully dressed, I fell into bed without —

  Knock Knock Knock.

  Startled from my thoughts, I opened the door to see Mrs. Blurtz’ bodyguard.

  You know, I still didn’t know his name? He was just the troll who sat in the corner.

  “Mornin,” he grunted, voice like gravel.

  I eyed him warily. “Good Morning?”

  “No. It really isn’t,” he retorted. “The Missus saved you some food. Delivery fee is 5 silver.”

  He scratched his backside and turned to go.

  “Delivery fee?”

  “Ye. For delivering ye to yer room,” he growled. “Fell asleep in the doorway. Nearly froze everyone in their beds.”

  With that he shambled away.

  “Ah,” I stated awkwardly into the now empty hall.

  My stomach grumbled, a reminder it was hungry and that I was failing in my duty to appease it.

  I felt dirty and unkempt, but a warm breakfast sounded nice. I could clean up after.

  As it turned out, the reason Mrs. Blurtz saved me breakfast was because I didn’t wake up until shortly after noon.

  She eyed me as I ate, hand on her hips.

  “You know what I think? I think yer hanging out with the wrong crowd — coming home at such a ridiculous time. And what were ya doing, huh? Couldn’t even close the door!”

  I nodded apologetically as I continued wolfing down her food. Honestly, it was just so good.

  For goblin fare anyway. At this point, I wasn’t sure I remembered what normal food tasted like.

  “Ya know, I might be convinced to forgive ya,” she pressed.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I nodded and stuffed another mouthful of food into my mouth. There was a roasted newt, which I set aside for It.

  “You did a mighty fine job on yer room, think you might be convinced to do the same down ‘ere?”

  I coughed out my food and looked up to see Mrs. Blurtz batting her eyelashes at me.

  “What?” I stated flatly.

  “Oh come now,” she huffed. “I’ll pay the parts and labor.”

  She doesn’t realize it was magic, I thought incredulously.

  Then again, I didn’t really look the magic type, I gazed down at myself — my mud stained boots and filthy cloak from traveling the roads the night before.

  I glanced up to see her still staring at me expectantly.

  “I err… I’ll see what I can do?” I tried.

  “Wonderful!” she exclaimed before I had finished answering, plopping another plate of food down in front of me and trundling off.

  I raised an eyebrow. A bribe and leaving before I could change my mind?

  I looked around the room to see Troll-ish (I’d have to ask his name at some point) grinning toothily at me.

  The only reason the book had cleaned my room was because it was offended I had dared open it in such a filthy place. It had yet to let me re-open it.

  I looked around the dilapidated tavern. While it was old and worn, it certainly wasn’t dirty. I doubted there was dust even between the splintered floorboards.

  Maybe it’ll get offended by old things, too?

  I wasn’t hopeful.

  I shrugged and took a bite of my bribe.

  ____

  It was already late enough that there was no point in going to the store.

  At least that is what I told myself.

  If Vaarg wanted me that badly, he would send a singing toad or something.

  The day outside was bright, white and bitter cold, quickly prompting me to shrink into my cloak like some misshapen turtle.

  I still couldn’t believe how warm the darn thing kept me.

  I made my way down the street to Mrs. Glubz stall. The snow still fell softly, though the wind from the day before was absent.

  Meaning her warm meat pies were still in hot demand. I snorted as I watched her wallop a young thief over the head with a rolling pin, only to turn and immediately give the pie to a goblin child who had asked politely instead.

  She looked up and waved at me with a grin.

  I raised my hand to wave and call a greeting, but took too deep an inhale of the frigid air. All I managed was a cough and a wheeze.

  Which immediately scattered the children clustered around her shop.

  “You’re lucky I like you, ‘cuz you’re right bad for business,” she laughed, dusting her hands on her apron.

  “Sorry,” I laughed in return, offering a slight bow.

  She snorted. “Ah, the entertainment is worth it,” she offered with a wink.

  I grinned.

  “Speaking of, I owe you the world’s biggest debt of gratitude. Thank you so much for that dress.”

  This time, I bowed with far more sincerity.

  Mrs. Glubz blinked. “Huh. It was her birthday? Well what do you think of that,” she chuckled, hands on her hips.

  “You… didn’t know it was her birthday?”

  “Of course not,” she answered, turning to help a customer who had worked up the courage to approach the stand while I was present. The customer fled as soon as she had paid, much to my annoyance.

  “I just thought that burlap sack looked mighty sad,” she continued. “And I knew you were too think-skulled to do anything about it.”

  She winked at me again.

  “Ah well, thanks,” I stammered through my blush. “You gave her the greatest birthday present in the world.”

  “Well, that’s right lovely now, isn’t it?” she smiled. “Now, would you kindly go away so I can resume business?”

  She shooed me off unceremoniously.

  “I’ll see you soon,” I responded with a chuckle, but she was already busy with a new customer.

  I sighed, watching my breath cloud in front of me. Just one more stop, and I was finished for the day.

  I turned to make my way to the Stables.