Page 77 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

“Dinner should be in another twenty minutes,” Hapi informed them all. “I’m letting things cook right now.”

For some reason, Maxie oriented more toward Lirion, looking around Fenric as he did so. “I am, of course, very happy to learn from you, Lirion, but may I make a request?”

This boy spoke so formally. What would it take to get him to relax? “Of course. What?”

“Can you teach me how to charm someone?”

The reaction around the table was immediate and mixed. Fenric looked hesitant, eyeing Maxie like he wasn’t sure where that had come from and now had many, many questions. Malfas slapped the table with a hoot. Belstrom also eyed Maxie uncertainly.

“I think that’s a fine idea,” Hapi said, nodding in approval.

Honestly, so did Lirion. “Knowing how to charm and persuade someone is a vital skill, in my experience. Do you know the saying, it’s easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar?”

“Oh, no?” Maxie’s blank expression suggested he’d never heard of it.

“Well, it’s a saying for a reason. It’s easier to get someone’s help, or information, if you know how to approach them with charm. An angry approach just puts the other person’s back up and they’re less inclined to help you. I can certainly teach you a few tricks on how to approach someone.”

Maxie brightened. “That would be splendid. Thank you ever so much.”

“We’ll cover the topic after we’ve covered knots. It’s a bit trickier and will take more practice.”

Hapi turned his head, looking at what he was cooking, and made a noise. “We are getting close, I think. Puppy, set the table?”

“Oh, of course.”

The second Maxie popped up, Fenric leaned over the table to murmur, “When you say charm, you mean charm, right? Not seduce?”

Lirion regarded the man with question marks populating in his head. “There’s a difference?”

“Fucking bards.” Fenric dropped his head in despair. “Yes, there’s a fucking difference.”

News to Lirion. “I’ll teach him light seduction methods, then.”

“How about no seduction methods?”

“I would like to point out, he’s more than of age. I think he should know this already.” Lirion had been seducing people since he was sixteen. Granted, his nature rather demanded it, but still. Maxie was far too old to not know how to approach people, in his expert opinion.

Malfas leaned in closer too, whispering, “I agree with Lirion. Ow! Stop kicking my shin under the table.”

“I will not take advice from someone who routinely gets in over their head,” Fenric shot back.

“You’ve only had to rescue me three times⁠—”

“Four,” Fenric countered immediately, tone absolutely fed up.

“Eh? No, it’s three.”

“Four, you numbskull. Believe me, I remember.”

Malfas stared hard at the ceiling, struggling to recall as he counted things off on his fingers. “The first one was that guy in Skesand with the amazing ass⁠—”

Fenric groaned before taking a healthy swallow of his wine. “Subduing him long enough to get you out of those cuffs was a nightmare I’ve been trying to forget, thanks muchly.”

“—the second time was in Talmae, although that one really wasn’t my fault, how could I have possibly known his kink was being found cheating by his wife? Literally no part of that was mentioned to me when he flirted with me in the bar downstairs.”

“Mal. The man had a wedding ring on.”

“Uh?” Malfas canted his head to the other side. “Did he?”