There wasn't much left to do after I returned from my visit with the guild.

  Back in my room, I found Seraphina packing her belongings, carefully folding her dresses, and placing them in her traveling bag.

  "Hey," I greeted her, leaning against the doorframe.

  She spun and came to me, her face lighting up. We hugged while she asked me how things had gone. I gave her the quick version—Thadeus backing down, the revelation about Mrs. Swiftwood being his sister, and the promise to leave my tavern alone. Her warmth against me felt calm and comforting after the trip to the hot city.

  When we separated, she told me Elixander had stopped by and talked with her about the cure for Mrs. Swiftwood. One ingredient was missing, and it was hard to come by, but he had told her there was one place he was sure it could be found.

  "Where might that be?" I asked, running my fingers through my hair, still damp with sweat from the Crownforge heat.

  Seraphina grinned and said, "Under the Shadow's Respite."

  "What? But..." Then it hit me. The caverns under my tavern that I had barely explored. There had been dozens of plants, mushrooms, glowing moss, and flowers that somehow survived underground.

  "Yeah. He thinks Lady Churl will be able to find what he needs," Seraphina continued, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

  "I have a feeling he's right," I nodded, remembering how Lady Churl had talked about all the weird flora under the tavern. If anyone could find a rare ingredient down there, it would be her.

  I finished packing my belongings while Seraphina folded her last dress into her traveling bag.

  "I should probably try to say goodbye to King Alister before we leave," I said, buckling my pack shut. "Though I have a feeling he's not even in the city anymore."

  Seraphina nodded as she closed her bag. "You're right. He departed yesterday with Princess Elowen. They'll be touring the Radiant Territories together."

  "The wedding tour?" I asked.

  "Yes. The people there want to meet the princess's new husband." She smoothed down her traveling clothes. "They need to see what kind of man will help rule them someday."

  I sat on the edge of the bed and stretched my arms above my head. "Shame I couldn't say goodbye," I said. What I didn't say was that I had planned to stop this whole Lord Commander nonsense, so I changed the subject. "I'm excited to head home. Crownforge is impressive but too hot and crowded for my taste. Frostfire feels the same way. She's in the dining room right now. She mentioned she's eager to get back into the air."

  "I'm ready to be home, too."

  "Same. Can't wait to get back to our normal life."

  "A normal life where you attempt to run two taverns? That should be fun to watch."

  "I got this," I said with confidence, although I mostly felt it.

  Seraphina's smile was only slightly smug.

  I glanced around the room, making sure we hadn't forgotten anything. "Where will Triolux meet us? I haven't seen him since yesterday."

  "He's been working with the dwarven smiths in town," Seraphina replied. "Learning and teaching blacksmithing techniques. He said he would be back in Everspring in a day or so and not to wait for him."

  I frowned. "How does he plan to get back if we fly home on Frostfire?"

  Seraphina shrugged. "I didn't ask. But knowing Triolux, he has some plan worked out."

  "True enough." I stood and grabbed our bags. "Let's not keep the others waiting."

  We left our room and made our way through the palace. It wasn't as active as it had been yesterday, so I assumed most of the guests were clearing out. We made our way to the dining room to locate Frostfire. Elixander was also there. After we had a chance to catch up I asked Frostfire if she was ready to go.

  She turned, her cheeks puffed out with food. "Mmph—just—mmph—one more," she mumbled through her full mouth.

  "You said that three pastries ago!" Seraphina laughed.

  Frostfire swallowed with visible effort. "These are delicious! Can someone carry a few back?" She patted a large sack.

  "Happy to, Frostfire," I said and took the bag. It bulged with pastries.

  Elixander appeared beside us, carrying a smaller bag than mine. For someone who dressed so elaborately, he traveled remarkably light. Elixander asked me if the business with the tavern guild had been taken care of. I gave him the rundown while Frostfire excitedly interjected a few times.

  "Excellent." Elixander adjusted his robes. "Then shall we be on our way? I find the air in Crownforge rather stifling."

  Frostfire finished her last pastry and wiped her hands on her pants. "Yes, please. I need open sky and cool air. To the roof!"

  "Wait. Is the saddle up there?"

  Frostfire nodded. "As a matter of fact, it is stored up there. We should ask a guard."

  "Great idea," I said.

  With that, we set out to march back up the stairs. I liked Crownforge well enough, but could do without all the climbing.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  We flew well clear of Crownforge an hour later and headed toward Everspring.

  The wind whistled past us as Frostfire's wings beat steadily through the clear sky. Below us stretched rolling hills and forests that gradually gave way to farmland. Clouds drifted by at eye level. I welcomed the sun's warmth on my back. It was comforting in the coolness of the high altitude. Seraphina sat close to me, her arm around my waist, mine around hers.

  I adjusted my grip on the saddle straps. Elixander tapped my shoulder to get my attention.

  "About that ingredient I mentioned," he said. "It's a rare fungus called Lumina Moss. It grows only in places untouched by sunlight for centuries."

  "What does it look like?" I asked.

  "It emits a soft blue-green glow and typically clings to stone surfaces. The moss absorbs magical energies from its surroundings. I glimpsed something similar during our brief exploration beneath your tavern."

  "There are definitely things like that under the tavern. So, this will help Mrs. Swiftwood?"

  "Indeed. When properly prepared, it neutralizes certain types of magical afflictions. The baron's wife suffers from a malady that is draining her. This serum should clear it up. It is powerful magic."

  Frostfire twisted her neck to look back at us. "Speaking of magical things, did you know dragons have a particular fondness for riddles?"

  "No, I didn't," I admitted.

  "You've never heard of a dragon's love for riddles?" Elixander asked, his voice pitched higher than normal.

  Frostfire laughed. "Let me educate you, then. Here's one: I'm round as an apple but deeper than a cup. The more you put in me, the less I can hold. What am I?"

  I thought for several minutes, running through possibilities. "A...large bag?"

  "No," Frostfire chuckled. "A hungry stomach. The more food you put in, the less hungry you become!"

  Seraphina burst into laughter. "That fits you perfectly, Frostfire."

  "I have another," Frostfire announced. "Born in the mountain, dies in the pan. Never touches food, but helps feed man. What am I?"

  Seraphina leaned forward. "Salt! Mined from mountains, dissolves in cooking, and enhances food without being food itself."

  "Correct!" Frostfire sounded delighted.

  The next few hours passed pleasantly as we exchanged riddles. Elixander offered complex ones with magical themes. Seraphina favored wordplay.

  As we flew, the sun moved across the sky. Forests and fields passed beneath us. Eventually, the familiar outline of Everspring appeared on the horizon.

  "Home at last," I said, pointing ahead.

  Frostfire began her descent, circling to lose altitude gradually. She landed with surprising grace in the clearing between Everspring and the orc fortress. Her massive form settled onto the ground with barely a thud.

  "Thank you for the ride," I said as we dismounted.

  Frostfire shifted back to her human form in a swirl of magic. "My pleasure. However, I might need to find more of those pastries from Crownforge. They were exceptional."

  The orc fortress gate was wide open, and two figures emerged. Grondak, and next to him walked Moktar, Urzan's lieutenant, his posture more reserved but no less welcoming.

  "Varix back!" Grondak shouted. "Varix back! Varix soon make spicy food!"

  "I'm glad I was missed, my friend. What did you eat while I was gone? Wait. Nevermind. I don't want to know."

  Moktar quietly chuckled next to Urzan.

  I glanced into the fortress and found a number of people sitting around a pit where a pair of deer, split into two halves each, were being roasted over a fire. They, and the orcs, seemed to be taking turns turning the spit. One of the men, the new Everspring guard named Raynard, who had recently joined despite his concerns over fighting left-handed. Garin had been instrumental in offering him advice through me.

  I waved, but he was chatting with a female orc who threw her head back and laughed at whatever he had just said.

  "Looks like you have enough food cooking to feed the entire village, Urzan." I pointed at the four half-deer.

  "Enough for orc! Maybe some left for human!"

  I chuckled because I had no doubt the group of orcs could put away a pair of deer in a few minutes.

  "I need to go check on the tavern, Urzan. Make sure everything is okay."

  "Tavern fine! Little men try to close! Urzan and Moktar chase them out of town! Into woods! Across streams! Maybe they still running!"

  I simultaneously blanched and choked on a cough. Hopefully, the 'little men' had received the message from Thadeus instructing them to leave me and the tavern alone.

  "That must have been a sight," Serphina added.

  Urzan nodded vigorously. "Orc not hurt tiny human! Orc just scare away!"

  "Thank you, Urzan. You and Moktar are good friends."

  Moktar nodded once, spun, and marched back toward the roasting deer.

  "Urzan go with Varix! Make sure no trouble!"

  I couldn't help but laugh a little at the orc.

  The afternoon sun warmed my back as we walked the familiar path from the orc fortress to Everspring. Seraphina and Elixander followed behind us while Frostfire promised to stop in later to see Kieran.

  "Tavern business good?" Urzan asked as we walked.

  "It will be better now that I'm back," I replied.

  Everspring looked peaceful with smoke rising from the chimneys and people moving about their daily business. Several villagers spotted us and waved.

  Old man Guslan stood outside his house and dug in his garden. His few wisps of white hair clung to his forehead as he tossed dirt around. When he spotted me, he put down his spade and waved enthusiastically.

  "Varix! You're back!" Guslan called out. He wiped his hands on his leather apron and hobbled over to us. "Thought those fancy guild folks might've locked you up in Crownforge."

  "Not a chance," I said. "Takes more than a guild to keep me away from my tavern."

  Guslan chuckled. "Well, I'll be in tonight for a few ales. Got some new stories to tell you about my adventures as a young man."

  "I'm looking forward to it," I said. "First round's on me."

  "Ha! You always know how to make an old man happy." Guslan slapped me on the shoulder, then nodded respectfully to Seraphina and Elixander before shuffling back to his garden.

  The Shadow's Respite came into view. My tavern stood solid and welcoming, just as I'd left it. No boards across the windows. No official seals on the door. The sign still swung gently in the breeze.

  "Urzan tell truth! Tavern fine!" Urzan thumped his chest proudly.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, it is. Thank you again for scaring off those guild representatives."

  I quickened my pace toward the front door. The familiar creak of the door's hinges was a welcome noise as I pushed it open. Seraphina, Elixander, and Urzan followed me inside.

  The tavern was packed for such an early hour. Several tables were occupied with patrons enjoying late lunches or early drinks. The scent of chili greeted me. Lady Churl had been busy.

  "The boss is back!"

  "Welcome home, Varix!"

  "About time you returned!"

  Lady Churl poked her head out from the kitchen doorway and broke into a toothy grin when she spotted me.

  "Reckon it was time for ya ta get back," she said then ducked back into the kitchen before I could respond.

  "Varix back! Tavern happy now!" Grondak shouted.

  The other patrons raised their mugs in agreement.

  I smiled and placed my hand around Seraphina's waist and drew her close to my side. She leaned into me and graced the room with a heartwarming smile. Well, it warmed my heart.

  "It's good to be home!" I quietly said.

  Seraphina nodded. "It is. Let's not go anywhere else for a while."

  "Could not agree more."