I rolled the twelve-sided die, landing on a one.
“Bad luck,” said Brenda.
“Yeah. Pass.” A player had the optionof not moving if a roll was especially bad.
I drew a card for a monster encounter—six of mermaids, but I wasn’t near any water tiles, so it didn’t matter.
“So Dion, you’re from Xin, right?” He and Yoi were usually quiet about their lives. I wasn’t sure if they didn’t want to talk about it, or if they were simply overshadowed by the others.
“Our family moved around a little, but yes, that’s where I call home.” He took the die from Cleggs.
“Only been there a few times, but it seems nice.”
Brenda snorked.
“Oh, come on,” I said. “We can’t all live in a grand city. And all ofus especially,shouldn’t be so concerned with status.”
She glowered in return. “Yeah.”
“Xin’s not bad,” Dion continued. “I’ve seen neighboring cities along the trade route. I always thought your city of Thorncove was nice. That waterfall was impressive.”
“You hiked out to Flamewater Falls? Nice.”
He handed the die to Brenda. “I guess… we are all foreigners in an elven city. That was your point, right?”
I shook my head. “No point. Just chatting, that’s all.”
Yoi rolled a twelve, moving her traders safely out of ogre territory, before handing the die back to me. Her feline eyes glowed in the dim light, holding mine a moment. “Has Aldyr beenharassing you? He is a Halamar local, I believe.” She spoke just a little softer than usual.
“Who?” I rolled a four and passed the die to Cleggs.
“Aldyr. The elf gentleman. I see you speaking to him and his companions occasionally. I believe he is attempting to ingratiate himself with House Greanderal, so I thought after that incident on the first day…”
Brenda snorted. “Ya mean stuff-nose and the spoiled sidekicks?”
“Oh. Those idiots. I didn’t know the guy’s name. Not really. They razz me from time to time, but I don’t let it get to me.” It did get to me, but I tried to use it as motivation. I’d practiced that sort of barbed repartee with my brother, but sometimes it still got under my skin. “It’s just too bad. Most elves I’ve encountered have been damn courteous. Cold, but courteous. A few snobs like that sour the city’s good reputation. Why? They bothering you?”
Yoi’s eyes went wide, and the tip of her tail, which had been twitching idly atop her lap, froze. “No. Of course not.”
Rain pattered on the glass overhead.
The panes shook from a distant thunder crash.
“Your turn Yoi,” said Cleggs.
She took the die.
Sephimara wasn’t the only one with problems with House Greanderal, apparently. I swirled cider dregsaround the bottom of my lowball glass. “Besides, if they ever did, I know I could come to any of you for help.” I shifted my gaze to Yoi. “And the same in return.Right?”
“Damn straight.” Brenda held her glass out.
We clinked again.
Chapter Six
The fire elm branch, taller than I was, kept spinning and toppling over as I tried to prop it in the corner of the crafting room.
Would it be a good instructional aid?
