Fingers crossed, Pela has not started work yet. She is not like my mother or sister, as they are ladies of the night, but when do ordinary people start work? Do not know how I could make it up to her. Flowers? I have money, but. Sweets? Again don’t want to waste it. Ruling that out. I could tell her the truth. Yeah, right, like that would go anywhere. Need to think of something I could impress her with; something that would make my apology more acceptable. Let’s see; I have one hundred and two slips and seventy copper bits. I could buy a bunch of flowers—better than nothing.

Girls like flowers? Yeah, sure.

Should I head to her place or Corbin's? Corbin's is just off Market Lane, and Pela's apartment is off Residential Road. Do not think about how bad that name is; you have more important things to ponder; like how sincere you need to sound. Barrack to Market, then on to Blacksmith, to Tailor, and then on to Residential. Sheesh, what if a tailor did not open up on that street—what would happen then? With all this imagination, it would say Coffee Place—the best place to get coffee, or Bakers Street. Oh wait, there is a Bakers Street already. Pity Residential is not off that; it smells so delightful!

Best the thing is to head to Corbin's and tell him to go jump in the lake for that nonsense from last night. First, ask if Pela is working, then ask him to take a long walk off a short pier. Better plan. Where did I leave my stuff? Oh yeah, the Hall. Pick that up too.

There is a florist. I might as well see if there is something in my price range. It smells lovely in here as I walk to the serving counter and see a female Dwarf wearing gloves and arranging flowers.

"Excuse me, madam Dwarf." Great, this is going to be fun. Dwarves drive such hard bargains, but they are the lifeblood of Favinonia's economy. "I am looking for a beautiful flower for a particular female friend of mine."

She looks me up and down, smiles, and says, "Flowers are the best way to lighten a day. A few simple questions first: is there a type of flower you are looking for? As we are coming into summer, many new varieties are in season." She walks between vases, pointing out each one to me. I wish they had prices on them. "Roses are always good; you are looking at fifty slips per dozen. Then you have lilies, beautiful and haunting; fifteen silver for a dozen. Tulips, bright and colourful; ten slips—"

Not going to spend all my money on flowers. Time to be stingy, even though I have over a hundred slips in my leather wallet. "They look fantastic but a tad out of my price range."

She folds her arms. This is not going to be good! "Price range? You come into my shop, the best florist in all of Lake Merrin, and say that you can’t afford the prices? Fine! What can you pay? If it’s less than three silver slips, then you are out of luck, and I will have to ask you to leave!"

Do not want to spend any more than three silver. "What do you have available for three slips?"

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She snorts at me and says, "Daffodils, half a dozen. Price non-negotiable!"

"That is perfect. That is what I was thinking anyway. Thank you so much for helping me on this journey." I bow to her. "Thank you again, madam Dwarf. May fortune shine on your family."

See, I understand dwarves—family, money, and respect-crave most in life. Give them a little of each, and remarkable things will come your way. I can see the shock on her face.

"May fortune shine upon yours as well … Maybe I was a bit hasty. I might have something a little more special. Come this way."

She leads me to the back and bends over. I do not mind taking one for the team, but still. She picks up a bunch of flowers. Oh right, my heart skips a beat.

"Here." She hands over a bunch of wildflowers, something that you could find on the side of the road, but it is a beauty in the heart of it. "I could see in your eyes; this cries out for something more than just plain daffodils. This will impress your lady friend more."

Speechless, I hand over the money. She smiles back at me. "My name is Burtha Stonethorn. Anytime you are in need of flowers or herbs, come back, and I will help you out."

"Thank you so much, Madam Stonethorn."

Sometimes you receive the biggest surprise from the most stereotypical people. Leaving the store and it is off to Corbin's. Luckily, he is just off Market. Like yesterday, not many people inside; it must be more of a nightspot. No Pela, but lucky me, there’s Corbin—spitting in the glasses to clean them.

"Hi-ho, Corbin!" I call out.

He looks up from the glass he is cleaning, curses, and says, "What are you doing back here? The Watch closed us down after your fight. You owe me a lot of slips!"

I give him a hard look and reply, "I wanted to take it outside. You made it the night's entertainment. That’s your bad judgement!"

"You have no right to come into my place, and it was your fault, not mine! You owe me five hundred slips for last night.” He reaches under the bar and picks up his gnarled club. “Choice is simple: give me the money, or I’ll take it!"

Wait one second; I have got that Watch tabard still. I laugh, put my flowers down, and take out the tabard from my belt. I hold it up so Corbin can see. "Are you threatening a Watchman, Corbin? Being closed for one night sounds bad, but wait till I put a sanction on this place for some law violations!"

No idea what I was talking about, but it made an impression on Corbin. He squints at the tabard and says, "You’re no Watch! Did you steal that from some poor person's clothesline, hoping it would intimidate me?"

"No, Corbin. Actually, I was hired by Zlata, the acting commander." See him wince at the mention of Zlata's name. She must have fingers in many pies—or arseholes. "Yes, that is right—Zlata! I could ask her to come down and have a chat with you about this if you like?"

He shakes his head.

"Well, that is sorted then. I came in because I need to find Pela. Will she be working tonight?"

He looks at me, spits, then says, "That whore. I fired her last night for bringing the guards. I don't know where she is. Didn't even whore out for my real customers. Good riddance to her!"

I cannot believe this. Not only did Pela save me from being beaten to death, but then she was fired. And I treated her like a lady of the night. I have so much to make up to her.

"Corbin, why don't we forget about this whole thing and I won't mention it to Zlata at our morning meetings."

He looks at my stance, blows out a sigh, and says, "I don't care if you are one of Zlata's men, come back in here again, and you'll regret it!"

I nod my head and leave.

Once I am down the street, out of sight, I collapse to my knees. Thank you, Trinity! You saved my bacon in there! When I have money, I will give some to the church. The Trinity has been smiling upon me for the last few days. Next stop, Pela's place!