My mouth cracked open with a yawn that did not want to stop. The restorative had done wonders for the aches and body pain following the fight with Thalindra, but the tiredness remained. Not that it had been much of a fight. Lady Churl had saved all our butts from the evil sorceress.

And Zyn.

The nearly silent assassin hadn't exactly been a friend, but he had sacrificed himself to help me. There was no way to thank him now. I wondered if he'd been sent to another place, another world, to begin a new life just as I'd been sent here.

"This is crazy, Varix. You've been here for all of a few weeks, and you're already a local celebrity. I need to go get dressed." Seraphina laughed, then turned and headed back for the stairs.

"You shoulda had her killed, lad," Garin said and shook his head.

I ignored him, since Milo was also in the room.

"I agree. You should have allowed the tall blonde man to slit her throat. She is still a threat as long as she lives.”

"You hated her for taking your place," Garin told Ophelia.

"No one took my place, darling. I'm irreplaceable. She was a shadow of me and my power."

I rolled my eyes.

"What am I supposed to say?" I called after Seraphina.

She stopped and turned. "Go out and thank everyone for showing up. Tell them the threat is over."

"The what is over?"

Seraphina spun and laughed. "Varix. We just captured Morthisal's second in command. That is a big deal."

"Oh."

"Now I need to go get dressed. I have a lot of work to do today, and I can't stay and protect you from your adoring fans."

"Hey!" I laughed. "You did as much as me to capture her."

"True. The difference is I already have a day job. You're still, you know, getting yours off the ground."

I laughed again. "Okay, that's fair. That's fair."

As she turned to head back for the stairs, I impulsively reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled. She spun and was in my arms. We held each other, kissed, and then she pulled away and briskly took to the stairs, but she shot me a wink over her shoulder. I watched her until she was out of sight because, I could not take my eyes off of her.

What was I going to say? I'd been more interested in saving my skin last night than capturing Morthisal's number two. I hoped Seraphina was right and the evil sorceress was never allowed to speak again. Not that anyone would believe her if she tried to name me. They'd throw her in this world's version of the loony bin.

As I pondered how to handle the situation, I glanced down and felt my face flush with embarrassment. I was still in my nightshirt. The thin fabric barely reached my knees.

"Well," I muttered, "this is going to be an interesting morning."

"You should go say something, Mr. V." Milo stood behind the counter, making a couple of coffees.

"I'm thinking about what to say."

"Just go be yourself. They'll love it. Later, you have to tell me all about the big battle. I wish I would have been here."

"You really don't, Milo. She hit us with this spell that was like a full-body shock. We could barely move. I'm still sore. If not for Lady Churl, Seraphina and I would probably be dead now.”

Behind me, the trap door sprang open and flipped over, crashing into the floor.

"Here, now. Wha's all tha' noise?" Lady Churl asked as her head appeared.

"Just in time. Can you join me over here for a moment?" I waved toward the front door.

"Sure, boss. Whatcha need?" She scrambled out of the basement, stretched, and scratched her neck.

"You're a hero, Lady Churl. The people of Everspring need to know about your role in capturing Thalindra. A bunch of them are outside. Would you like to join me so they can properly cheer you on?"

"Nah." She waved me off. "Ain't much of a hero when all you done was stab a heartless bitch. She had it comin'."

I laughed, but understood and didn't press the matter.

I returned to the back door with a deep breath and cracked it open.

"Hey, Varix!" Caden yelled from the middle of a small crowd and vigorously waved. Next to him stood Shellen. She also offered me a wave.

I picked out Ragna and Doan, who clapped when I appeared.

At least a dozen people were out there, including old Man Guslan, leaning against the wall. He spotted me and pumped his fist in the air a few times.

I waved back at the crowd sheepishly and smiled.

I took a deep breath and stepped out to address the crowd. The morning sun was bright, and I had to squint to see everyone clearly. I raised my hand in greeting, feeling a bit self-conscious in my nightshirt. I should have followed Seraphina's lead and gone upstairs to change into something more appropriate.

Too late for shyness now. I cleared my voice by coughing against my fist.

"Good morning, everyone," I began, my voice hopefully carrying across the small gathering. "I want to thank you all for coming out here today. Your support means a great deal to me and The Shadow's Respite. I'm flattered you're here, but I'm sure you've already heard the highlights of what occurred last night."

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The crowd cheered and clapped, and I couldn't help but smile.

Several people called out, asking for more details. I held up my hands, trying to quiet them down so I could explain.

"Last night, the sorceress Thalindra burst into the tavern," I said, embellishing the story a bit. "She demanded that we hand over Seraphina's staff, which she was clearly here to steal. You may not be aware, but the staff contains a very powerful object called a Star of Luminas. I guess it's highly coveted by people like Thalindra."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"But we weren't about to let that happen," I continued, my voice growing more confident. "We told her no, and that she should leave right away. It was a bluff, but I couldn't think of anything else to do at the moment."

That garnered a few murmurs of approval and low chuckles from those who must have understood our predicament.

"It was Seraphina who recognized who the sorceress was. Despite her best efforts, Thalindra unleashed a spell that rooted us in place, sending lightning shocks coursing through our bodies. I'm not going to lie. It hurt! Even today, I'm still sore after a good night's rest."

"Maybe project make Varix sore!" Urzan interjected.

I shook my head and waved him off with my hand, ignoring the amused chuckles from the crowd.

"There we were, unable to fight back, and my friend, the goblin Lady Churl, happened to be returning from some late-night foraging." I continued to embellish, warming to the tale. Their faces were rapt with attention as I spun the story. "She gets a look at Thalindra and decides to act selflessly."

"Maybe not selfless! Orc and goblin hate evil magic woman!" Urzan loudly added.

"Anyway. Under the cover of darkness, Lady Churl, the real hero of the night, sprang into action. While we were unable to even move, she got behind Thalindra and planted a knife in her back." I made a stabbing motion for emphasis.

Urzan and Moktar laughed heartily when they heard me praise Lady Churl. "Churl good with knife!" Urzan bellowed, showing his tusks.

"It's true," I said, nodding in agreement. "Without Lady Churl, things might have turned out very differently."

"She's a goblin, you said?" Old man Guslan yelled.

"Yes," I nodded. "We met on my way here. She helps me out in the tavern."

Caden, head above the crowd, shook his head quickly while maintaining eye contact with me. Was he trying to tell me not to talk about Lady Churl?

"But we're all safe now." I cleared my throat again. "All thanks to the efforts of Lady Churl, who helped apprehend Thalindra. She's been taken into custody, and I'm confident justice will be served."

A cheer went up. Knowing that we had made a difference and kept Everspring safe was a good feeling.

"Listen, I don't feel like a hero. I was doing what needed to be done to protect the people I care about and this village, which has become my home."

"Now, I'm sure you all have better things to do than stand around listening to me talk," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "But please, feel free to come by The Shadow's Respite. Today, we're trying a non-spicy chicken breast sandwich. I hope to open the place completely in a few more days so I can buy you all a drink…" I trailed off as a group of soldiers dressed in full armor, carrying weapons, and also armed with hard faces appeared at the end of the street.

The crowd turned to take in the sight. Urzan and Moktar put their hands on weapons.

"What in the world?" I wondered out loud.

Behind the soldiers, riding a beautiful and well-groomed warhorse, sat Baron Bertram Swiftwood. He waved at the crowd, even though no one waved back. The soldiers parted, allowing the Baron to walk between them on his horse, with their hands firmly gripping their weapons.

As the Baron approached the tavern, he demanded in a rapid-fire manner, "What in the blazes is happening here? Why are these orcs present?"

His sudden appearance and aggressive tone took me aback. Before I could come up with a response, the Baron continued his tirade.

"I am astonished that someone like Thalindra was allowed anywhere near Everspring! This is an outrage!" He pointed an accusing finger at Urzan and Moktar. "These orcs must leave immediately before any other minions of evil appear!"

Shocked by his words, I stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Baron Swiftwood, I assure you, the orcs have been helpful. They've caused no trouble and have even assisted in keeping the village safe. You know for a fact they helped save Everspring from bandits."

The Baron scoffed, his face turning red with anger. "Yes. And they were well compensated. Now they must leave!"

I pressed on. "And Lady Churl, the goblin who has been helping in the tavern, played a crucial role in apprehending Thalindra. Without her, things could have turned out much worse."

Baron Swiftwood's eyes widened in disbelief. "A goblin? In the tavern? This is unacceptable! I demand that this Churl creature leave, as well. It's inconceivable that these green skins have been allowed in Everspring. I'm fed up with it!"

Throughout his rant, I tried intervening, explaining the situation, and defending my friends, but the Baron shot me down at every turn.

"Enough!" he shouted, his face now a deep shade of crimson. "I will not tolerate this any longer. These creatures are a menace and a threat to our way of life. They must be removed from Everspring at once!"

The crowd began to murmur, some nodding in agreement with the Baron, while others looked uncertain. I glanced at Urzan and Moktar, who stood their ground, their hands still on their weapons.

"Baron Swiftwood, you are mistaken. Judging them based on their race is unfair and unjust."

The Baron narrowed his eyes, his voice dripping with contempt. "You dare question my judgment, tavern keeper? I am the authority here, and the likes of you will not challenge me!"

"Is okay! Orc leave!" Urzan lowered his shoulders, smacked Moktar's shoulder, and said something in orcish. The two orcs, towering over the human warriors, walked away from the tavern without another word.

"Baron!" I appealed.

He stared at me smugly. "Don't forget your pet goblin. Get her out of here by day's end. Good day!"

"What is happening out here?" Seraphina was back, fully dressed, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Baron Swiftwood. Pushing aside my momentary distraction, I stood next to her, facing the Baron and his entourage.

Baron Swiftwood, his face still flushed with anger, reiterated his stance. "After the appearance of Thalindra, it’s clear they had something to do with it. The green skins must go!"

Seraphina's voice was calm but firm as she said, "Baron Swiftwood, you're making a grave mistake."

The Baron scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Their presence has only brought trouble to our village."

Seraphina's voice rose as she spoke. "You're letting your prejudice cloud your judgment, Baron. They have risked their lives to protect us, and you're willing to cast them out without a second thought?"

Baron Swiftwood's face contorted with rage. "A mere shopkeeper will not lecture me! I am the authority here, and my word is final!"

Seraphina stood her ground, unfazed by his outburst. "Authority does not give you the right to be unjust, Baron. You're making a decision based on fear and ignorance."

The Baron's gaze shifted to the staff in Seraphina's hand. "Speaking of authority, hand over that staff immediately."

Seraphina's grip tightened on the staff, and she held it close to her body. She raised her voice to carry across the yard for all to hear. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Baron. You have not paid for the staff, nor for the work I did to acquire this object. You may be the baron, but I will not abide by you stealing from me." She said the last sentence much louder.

Faces in the crowd turned to stare at the baron in surprise.

Baron Swiftwood's face turned an even deeper shade of red, his eyes bulging with rage.

His lips parted to say something, then he must have thought better of it. Bertram Swiftwood turned on his heel and stormed off, his soldiers falling in line behind him.

I turned to Seraphina. "That was incredibly brave of you, standing up to him like that."

Seraphina relaxed the grip on the staff. Her knuckles had been white. "I don't like bullies."

"Nor do I." I shook my head. "This is terrible. What in the hell am I going to do? I can't kick out Lady Churl!"