We look at each other. What the heck has been happening? This shows that Zlata has been more involved than we thought. I knew she was a monster, but a traitor too?

The others at our table are chatting about what the Count said. One looks over at me. “I am so glad that we travelled here by boat. I knew that being so close to the Wild Lands was dangerous, but bandits? May Trinity protect us.”

Everyone at the table mumbles and makes the sign of the Trinity. Please Trinity, protect me from this conversation. “Yes, I grew up near the border.” They all look shocked; well, not my group. “With the Duke's Shields and the Favinonian Army, we never saw any problems. One reason why I joined the army in my youth.”

“Oh, you are part of the army? A lieutenant?” another one asks.

“I left the army to become an Adventurer.” Their collective eyes widen. “I am a part of the Charter called the Rejects. This is our leader, a Champion of the Hall, Joan Stillwater; our medic and scout Gunnar of the Green; and finally, our scholar and alchemist WayWocket. And I am receiving the Iron Medal tonight.”

Stillwater leans in. “Champion?”

I whisper back, “We need to sound important. I have got this.”

They look at each other smugly. I think they are pleased to be at a table with such a guest. Pity we are not as high up as they think. “A Champion, a cleric of the Green, a war hero, and a master from the engineer college? I thought I was put in the back, but I guess we are very lucky to be in such company! This is my wife Mercer and I am Klaus Handwerk.”

Great, some slip-sucker merchant. He smells like a flower garden, and the wife has too much blush on. Stupid! “Pleased to meet you, Master and Mistress Handwerk. What brought you here tonight?”

As he is about to answer, the first dish arrives. My glasses are filled with wine and ale. I take a drink and try to remember how to eat properly—slow and steady, with the right cutlery.

Stillwater joins the conversation. “Yes, good people. What did bring you here tonight?”

“Ah, we were most fortunate to gain an invitation to the Grand Ball. It cost me a few slips, but you do not have access to this level of people just down at the local tavern.”

Stillwater continues, “That is too true. What is your business, if you don't mind me asking?” I have to give it to Stillwater, she knows how to work the conversation.

“I have been in lumber for years, and wish to expand to the Northern Colonies and some southern contracts, but we need sponsorship. I was hoping to gain it at this gala, but … Sorry, I didn't acquire your name, good sir.”

I should give them my Adventuring name. “It is Lone Solo, Master Handwerk. Lumber; strange market. Do you make much money from it?”

“Lone!” I pissed off Stillwater. “I apologise for my comrade, Master Handwerk. He can be a little blunt.”

Klaus waves his hand. “It is refreshing! I am glad that we are at your table. I like blunt. My wife here thinks that I can be a little too blunt sometimes. Isn't that right, my love?”

Her face goes pink with embarrassment. “Yes, Klaus. He has hindered us in the past with his bluntness.” Klaus laughs at that; such a good belly rumble. A few people around us look a little offended by it. “Klaus, a little quieter. I am sorry about my husband. This is one reason he has been blocked by another dealer of lumber.”

“My love, if I can't be myself then I am not a Handwerk or Iron Dukedom citizen!”

“So, you were born and bred here, Klaus? You do not mind me calling you Klaus?” I inquire.

We finish the first dish and the second arrives. I am glad they are small. I do not know if I can handle much more of this rich food.

“Of course you can, Lone. Yes, born and bred, and I have even served in the army too. Least I could do is give service to my nation.”

WayWocket whispers, “This cutlery is the same; barely any silver in it. Less than what we were using before.”

Great. WayWocket with the silver again. “Excuse me, my friend is a little mystical. He is stating that the cutlery is not true silver.”

“Truly? Hmm.” Klaus looks at the fork in his hand. “Strange, but I think your friend is correct. This fork has some flaws in the forging. Quite unusual for something in this sort of place.”

I look at my own fork, but I cannot notice anything. “Are you sure?”

“I am not an expert. Love, you have a look.”

She takes a couple of the forks, knives, and spoons and places them in front of her, studying them for a while. Stillwater asks, “Does your wife have experience with silver, Master Handwerk?”

“Oh my, yes! Mercer’s father is a great silversmith. It cost me a pretty large dowry to win his heart.” She looks up at him with a reproachful look. He laughs again; WayWocket and I join in. “Sorry, my dear.”

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As she is finishing up her examination of the cutlery, our third course comes out. Good, the pastry. I like fish, but I do love a good pie and this one has a very nice game flavour to it.

“My, my. These are forgeries; not made well enough for a keen eye. Strange, Klaus. Could we use this?”

I have finished my first glass of wine and my ale too. I hold my hand over the glass, like I was told. I cannot have too much to drink or Stillwater will—!

“We could, but we can't just go to the Count with a spoon in our hand. Champion Stillwater, would your Charter be interested in investigating this? We are willing to pay, say—” He is willing to pay us to find out about spoons? “— five thousand slips? With a bonus of two thousand if you use your influence to organise for us to present the evidence to the Count with you. What do you say?”

Stillwater looks at him with that stare and he holds his ground. I am impressed. “So, you’re going to use this as a method of gaining notoriety with the court?”

“To be honest, yes, but this is just to give us a slight advantage. I will report that it was the Rejects who brought it to my attention, but that I wanted to personally fund the investigation. If there is silver around, theft is still theft, and should be brought to the Blue Court.”

“So, you will pay us for something we would have looked into anyway?” She smiles at Klaus.

“You are not just Champion by name, you have a heart to match it as well.” I have to acknowledge that too. She is an amazing, um, warrior. “So, Lone, how did you earn the Iron Medal?”

“I saved a small girl from a burning building by jumping out of a five-storey window.”

“How is that possible? Wouldn't the fall kill you?”

I laugh at that a little. I nod over at WayWocket. “If it were not for my friend there, it would have.”

Wide-eyed, Mercer asks, “How do you save someone from a five-storey drop?”

WayWocket looks at them. “Most likely you wouldn't understand.” Stillwater coughs and WayWocket sighs. “Okay. Polyether polyol, a silicone surfactant, and a catalyst; triphenylamine mixed with tolylene diisocyanate, with a little magical manipulation for the toxic fumes. These together create a foam-like substance that encased Lone and the small girl, preventing death.”

Say what? I can see that everyone on the table is dumbfounded by WayWocket's description. We sit in silence as the fourth course, a vegetable dish, arrives. Looks like some sort of stew. Interesting taste; feels like being back at the orphanage.

Even this will not distract me. I knew he was smart, but what was that language he was talking? Never heard it before. WayWocket is ignoring us now. He seems to be a little angered by our non-response. How could we understand? We are not that smart.

Gunnar is the first to talk. “So, you said lumber? Are you just using soft cultured wood or are you wanting to be a hardwood supplier?”

“Well, hardwood is where the money is. I have a few sources.” One question and everyone is back to normal. “The growth forests. I have some stakes in a few plantations, but they do not receive the premium prices.”

I go from confused to bored. I think I need another glass of ale. I hold up my glass like I was told. A very pretty lady fills it. Stillwater gives me that look—'control yourself'. Like I need to be reminded every minute. I have tuned Gunnar and Klaus out. Just bring on the meat!

“That is a very good point, Gunnar. I’ll look into it at a later date. I have to thank you, Rejects. Your name doesn't live up to your intelligence or tenacity.”

Um, did I miss something? Stillwater smiles. “Thank you, Master Handwerk. We are grateful for your and your wife’s company. It seems the fifth course is going to be served.”

Finally! I need some meat! A fantastic pile of roast beef arrives in front of us. It does not even have gristle or fat. I would just love being rich.

“Klaus, I was wondering about the price of us finding out about the spoon forgers.” He looks at me. “I think five hundred is a little small for such a task.”

Stillwater kicks me under the table. Klaus responds, “Oh? What do you suggest?”

I finish my mouthful. I love this meat. “Well, as you are benefiting monetarily from our discoveries, I think more is needed for our contact with the Count's court. A counter offer: ten thousand slips, with a bonus of four thousand if we set up a meeting with a higher-up official. What do you say?”

He looks over at his wife, and she has the blankest face I have ever seen. Stillwater kicks me again; I am going to feel that later.

“We agree to your offer. This would bring a lot of business to us. It is worth the risk, but you will be paid on delivery.”

Three thousand slips! So worth it. Stillwater pipes up, “Are you sure? We did agree on five thousand and two thousand for court connection.”

Before Klaus can answer, the desserts come out. I mean, wow! I look over and the others have a different dessert; well, I see at least two. One has a crown of something green, looks so nice. Oh well.

“Joan—may I call you Joan?” Stillwater nods. “I agree to the increase because it has benefit to both parties. You bring someone to justice, and I have a foot in the door. It is a win-win.”

Such a lovely meal. I need to eat better. I need money, but this will do. With my share, I could pay ten years of Pela's rent, and buy a new sword and armour.

“Please, may I have everyone's attention?” Looking at the Count, I wonder what he is going to blather about. “I would like to thank all of you for coming tonight, and also thank my cousin, His Grace the Duke, for his presence. There are a number of others who I wish to thank before the Duke hands out his medals. Abbot Kamil of the White, High Inquisitor Dale of the Blue, and Knight-Commander Ian Kingfisher of the Duke's Shield, I thank you for your attendance tonight. Now, without further ado, His Grace, Duke Trahern Isenhart.”

His Grace stands and moves around to the front of the table to the sound of dignified applause. “On this wonderful evening, we honour our past and present heroes. I would like you all to commend them on their bravery.” A page brings a wooden case over to him. “With this medal, they will become revered members of my court, will be knighted, and will be inducted into my Order of the Shield.”

Wait, what? I am going to be a noble? A knight! Day of days.

“The first to be presented with our Iron Medal is Squire Lourens Hazewold, for protecting the town of Nearon from Unspeakables from the Wild Lands for three days.” A large man stands up and receives his medal.

“The next will be Mistress Sarah Blumer, for discovering the five uses of rhizome root, which has advanced cure research for several diseases.”

She stands up and … come on! When will I be called?

Do I even deserve this award? I just jumped out of a window.

“And the final medal we will be giving out tonight is to a local hero, former Corporal J—”

The Duke clutches at his throat, and I can see a dozen other guests doing the same thing. Three servants and four merchants jump up with knives in their hands and stab the closest guard to them. They yell in unison, “For the true Duke—Duke Darel!”

Huh. It is not too different from eating at a tavern after all.