I paced the tavern floor. Back and forth. Back and forth.

I couldn't believe the baron expected me to kick Lady Churl out of her home. She had become like family. I wondered how the baron would have felt had he been forced to kick out one of his family members. And the orcs? They hadn't done anything wrong. If anything, they had been friendly to everyone. They hadn't threatened a single person.

"Varix, I know it's unfair, but the baron does have authority. I'll try to think of a solution, but you have to understand that his word is sort of the law." Seraphina interrupted my brooding.

"He wants me out of the picture."

"I agree. He knows that you are a threat, and his tavern is just getting off the ground. The baron has spent so much money on The Wandering Boar, he can't afford to pay for this." Seraphina shook the staff. "Which is fine with me. I'll keep it. It's come in handy. Plus, look at that gorgeous gem." She smiled.

"Maybe we can figure out a way to get around his demands?" I lowered my voice and muttered, "What an asshole."

"What's that, Mr. V?" Milo asked from the kitchen. He'd been busy chopping and dicing so we could get lunch ready.

"Nothing. Ignore me. I'm grumpy."

"Sorry to hear that, boss. Can I get you another cup of coffee?" Milo asked.

"Thanks, Milo. I appreciate it, but I'm good for now."

"No problem. Let me know what I can do to help."

Seraphina leaned over and whispered, "He's such a good kid."

I nodded. She was right, and I was lucky to have his help.

"I have an idea. If the staff still works, why not command a ghoul to find him in his sleep and take his soul, darling?" Ophelia offered.

I rolled my eyes.

"How's he going to do that? He broke the staff. Good riddance, I say." Garin added.

"Just the top staff. It probably still works. One way to find out." Ophelia's voice rose to a melodic tone as she finished her statement.

"Oh, then. I suppose you'll offer to show him how to summon a ghoul?"

"I'd be happy to."

"It went so well the last time you attempted to help." Garin looked at the spot Zyn had occupied.

I'd barely had time to think about the assassin and his sacrifice to stop Lady Ophelia from taking possession of me. I would have had some sharp words for her if Milo wasn't in the other room. I settled for a sharp look directed at the dark lord's dead wife. Lowering my voice, I said, "If you don't stop being a pain in my ass, I am going to pick up the rest of the staff and figure out a way to send you to whatever substitutes for hell here."

Lady Ophelia crossed her arms over her chest and turned around so she could watch Milo through the kitchen door.

Seraphina looked at the space occupied by Ophelia but looked away. She stepped toward me and put her hand out. I pulled her to me.

Seraphina said, "I have to go to my shop. There's a lot to do today. I'm sure once you put your mind to this problem you'll devise a solution. You're smart, and a celebrity now. Don't forget that."

"I don't want to be a celebrity. All I want to do is get this place up and running. Am I asking too much? And what use is having adoring fans…" I trailed off.

Seraphina stared at me.

The wheels were in motion.

"Light bulb?"

"Yes." I nodded. "You just gave me a great idea."

"Tell me about it later. Swing by when you're free if you'd like."

"Count on it. I can't wait to see you again."

She leaned over and whispered, "I can't wait to see you again." Her lips brushed my ear, which trailed along my neck and across my cheek to end in a kiss that left me covered in goosebumps.

Seraphina smiled, turned, and left.

After Seraphina left for her shop, I called Milo out of the kitchen. "How are we set for stew meat?"

"About fifteen pounds."

"Great. Change of plans. We're making stew today."

"Want me to make the mire stuff?"

"Yes. Mirepoix. Make a lot. We're cooking up a huge batch. Then please head to the bakers and get as many large rolls for bread bowls as possible."

"You got it, Mr. V. We're making a big meal today."

"Damn right, we are. We're going to have another celebration."

"Right on, Mr. V.!"

I headed outside. Most of the crowd had dispersed after the baron had left. Doan and Caden were still out there, heads together, discussing something. I smiled and waved when they spotted me.

"Hello, Varix. We heard about the baron's demands," Doan said, his voice gruff with anger. "It's not right, what he's doing to the orcs and Lady Churl."

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Caden nodded in agreement. "It's not fair to anyone. I always knew Baron Swiftwood was a petty man, but this has gone too far. What do you reckon set it off?"

"We know what his problem is. He's spent a lot of money on The Wandering Boar. The baron knows that Varix's tavern will do better than his at a fraction of the price. He's trying to run him out of business before it opens. "He spent too much, if you ask me," Doan said, then lowered his voice and looked around with narrowed eyes and continued. "He came to the shop. Well, not him. Sent one of his lackeys. They demanded that we work with the promise of money later. I told him to leave the shop. This skinny little puffed-up fellow tried to demand that I do the job. When I got to my feet, he decided to leave."

"To be fair, I would, too," I told him.

Doan laughed and clapped me across the back, sending me stumbling.

"He really is a petty man," I said.

"Agreed," Caden said. "When this place is open, it's going to put him out of business, and he knows it."

"'There's plenty of customers in Everspring for two taverns. I don't want to put anyone out of business. The baron and I may very well have different clientele. If anything, I think he and I should be able to help each other."

"Yeah. The baron's not like that," Doan added.

I sighed, put my hands on my hips, and stared in the direction in which Urzan and Moktar had left.

"Thanks, guys. Listen, can you help me prepare the cauldron while we talk?"

"The cauldron? If that means you're making stew, I'm happy to help." Caden grinned.

Doan nodded sharply. He, Caden, and I made our way to the corner of the yard where the massive pot stood. With our combined strength, we hauled it over to the firepit.

I explained my thoughts and asked Doan and Caden what they thought of the plan.

"I don't know if it will work, but I think it's brilliant, Varix!" Caden exclaimed. "This should teach the baron a lesson."

Doan nodded along with Caden as we maneuvered the cauldron onto the fire pit. "Is there anything else we can do?"

"I'm sure you guys have work to do. I won't keep you any longer. Thanks for your help."

"Anytime, my friend." Doan smiled.

We shook hands, and the men promised to stop by later for stew.

With Caden and Doan's encouragement, I set out towards the Everspings outskirts after giving Milo some specific instructions as to what to prep before he went shopping for the rest of our supplies.

My body still ached from the previous night's exertions, but I pushed through the discomfort. It was easy to overlook the tiredness when I thought of Seraphina, and that put a smile on my face.

I wish she could help me today, but like Doan and Caden, she had her own job and a shop to run.

The streets of Everspring bustled with activity. Merchants called out their wares, shouting over each other as they attempted to finish their sales pitches. Shoppers haggled over prices, their baskets filled with fresh produce and newly crafted goods. The air was filled with freshly baked bread, aromatic herbs, fruits, vegetables, and upturned earth from farmer's carts.

As I left the village behind, I found myself surrounded by fields of lavender. The purple flowers stretched as far as the eye could see, and their sweet fragrance carried on the gentle breeze.

After I'd walked along a well-worn path for a while, I spotted my targets.

Urzan and Moktar were sitting by a small stream, their eyes fixed on the water. The clear liquid that burbled over smooth stones was very soothing.

"Hi, guys. Got a minute?" I asked, approaching them.

Urzan looked up, his expression brightening. "Urzan glad to see Varix! Varix and Urzan got unfair treatment!"

"And Moktar!" Moktar added. His arm dove into the water, but he quickly withdrew it empty-handed and shook the liquid from his hand.

"I'm sorry about how the Baron acted," I said. "Listen. I have an idea. I was hoping you could return to your camp and bring at least five other orcs back to The Shadow's Respite."

Urzan's brow furrowed.

"I'm making a very large pot of stew," I added quickly. "With extra peppers."

His eyes lit up at that. "Peppers!"

Urzan's face clouded with worry. "Hostile! Peace deal! Terms!"

I held up my hands reassuringly. "You'll all be safe, I promise. This is about bringing people together, not driving them apart."

Urzan considered this for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "Stew! Heat! We bring back orc!"

"Thanks, guys. Are there any goblins in your camp?"

"Three! Goblin good for making food!"

"And sneaking!" Urzan added. "Goblin can help with the baron problem! No one know!"

"Before we try throat slitting, how about if we try a peaceful option first?"

Urzan looked unconvinced, but he nodded his head.

"You guys come for a late lunch. That's in about three hours."

"Urzan, and orc and goblin be there!"

"Thanks, guys. See you then."

I left them to their fishing and couldn't help but wonder if they would catch anything other than tiny fish in the stream, so I went back to the tavern.

As I entered the tavern, I found Milo had been busy. Piles of chopped vegetables lay on the large chopping board. He had moved some to platters, and they were ready to go in the pot.

"Great work, Milo!" I called out.

"Thanks, Mr. V. I'm going to get the rolls. Do we need anything else?"

I quickly jotted down some spices we were low on. "Here you go. Oh, and see if you can find a small cask of red wine. It doesn't have to be fancy. We'll be adding it to the stew."

Milo took the list and read over it before nodding.

I reached behind the counter and pulled out a small bag, extracted some coins, and reminded him to write down what everything cost. It wasn't that I didn't trust Milo; I needed it for bookkeeping.

"See ya, Mr. V."

"Enjoy. It's a beautiful day out there."

After Milo left, I stepped outside and began building a pile of kindling with larger pieces of split wood beneath the massive pot.

As I tended to the fire, I turned at the sound of the trapdoor smacking into the floor inside the tavern. Lady Churl emerged from the basement and spotted me through the open door.

"Morning, boss. Whatcha up to?"

"I'm making a large pot of stew. We're going to have another celebration."

Lady Churl waved me off. "How's all this celebrating going to make coin?"

I sighed and straightened up to face her. "You got me there. Listen. The baron came by earlier. He's demanding that you leave the tavern, Churl. Says you can't stay in the tavern anymore, and he kicked the orcs out of Everspring."

Lady Churl's face contorted with anger. "Figured that would happen. Took long enough."

"I have a plan."

"Betcha do, boss." She crossed her arms. "I'll have to get me old cave back from that mean ole' bear, but that's not a problem. I'll show that overgrown furball who's boss."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Lady Churl's confidence. "I'm sure you will. For now, I need you to help Milo prep for a huge stew cook. We're expecting a lot of hungry guests."

"Alright, boss. I'll get to work in the kitchen. Gonna tell me the plan?"

"I will, I promise. And Lady Churl? Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She waved off my gratitude with a clawed hand again. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get all mushy on me. Got's me some work to do." With that, she scurried off through the tavern, her small form disappearing through the doorway to the kitchen.

I returned to the cauldron, stoking the fire until the flames roared and the pot started getting hot.

As I worked, I thought about Seraphina. The memory of her lips brushing against my skin made me smile. It also made me yank my hand back as the flames roared under the cauldron.

"Ouch!" I shook my fingers and blew on them.

"What's that boss?" Lady Churl called to me.

"Nothing. It's time to cook. Let's get every scrap of food out here!"