Zack stepped inside the Valley View Inn, and Daudilus trotted in beside him. The common room had high vaulted ceilings with a wooden staircase on one side. A massive glass window dominated the wall opposite the door, offering a clear view of the snow-capped mountains beyond. Leather armchairs and sturdy oak tables filled the floor, while a large stone fireplace crackled in one corner.

Of course, things weren’t all rustic wood and small-town charm. Two flat-screen crystal displays hung on the wall behind the bar; one showed the news, while another showed a swiftball game down in Arvendale. Beneath the screens sat a massive gnomish espresso machine, capable of producing several hundred shots in a single hour.

Zack bobbed his head to an elfish tune on the radio. He’d barely made it five paces before Daudilus started bobbing his own head to the beat.

“Woah, hold up.” He raised a hand, and the husky stopped in his tracks. “Rule number five—normal dogs don’t dance.”

Daudilus glanced around the room to where several of the regulars were openly staring. His ears flattened, and he lowered his chin to the floor, looking far too sad.

“You can dance later,” Zack said in a low voice. “Once we’re alone.”

He’d have to tell his mom at some point, but he’d rather not explain it to the whole town just yet. Most people in Starwing avoided the mines, and they all thought Zack was looking for trouble when he went exploring.

Still, the town had its share of opportunists who would investigate a new tunnel. People like Glenn Gilder, or the Lyon brothers. The latter group was always discussing get-rich-quick schemes. Zack knew that, because the trio got drunk together at this very inn, loudly discussing their plans for all to hear.

Zack stepped behind the polished wooden bar, and his mother caught his eye as she worked. As always, Aria Farron wore a simple dark blouse with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and her brown hair tied back in a loose braid. Her face was softer than Zack’s, and he’d obviously gotten his jawline from his father.

“Hi, sweetie.” She glanced down at Zack’s shorts and t-shirt and raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t wearing those when you left.”

Zack clutched his backpack straps and suppressed a guilty wince.

“Please tell me you weren’t covered in blood ten minutes ago” She gave him a long look from head to toe.

“Beetle ichor,” Zack admitted. “But they were small.” He stretched out his hands and held them less than a foot apart. “Barely bigger than Daudilus’s head.”

Daudilus nodded along, clearly eager to help out.

“Oh.” His mom smiled down at the husky. “I see you’ve trained Daudilus to be your wingman.”

The husky froze, and he shot Zack a questioning glance.

“Sure,” Zack said under his breath. “We’ll go with that.”

“Was Camille alright?” his mom asked as she grabbed some dirty dishes from the bar.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t she be?”

“It was her first time in the caves, right?”

“Yeah, I guess she was a little shaken.” In all honesty, he was surprised Camille had agreed to go with him after all these years. Probably her curiosity about the gnomish tunnel.

His mom loaded the dishes into the plastic tub behind the bar. “You know, you could try asking her on a regular date next time. Somewhere nice, with no giant bugs.”

Zack groaned. “I know what you’re doing.”

“What?” She gave an innocent shrug as she hefted the loaded bus tub on the bar’s polished wooden surface. “Trying to make my son happy?”

“Trying to make me stay.”

“No.” She held up a finger as she balanced the bus tub on her hip. “I want you to be happy, and I want you to stay.”

“It wouldn’t be fair to date someone right before I join the Sentinals.” Zack followed his mom into the kitchen where she dropped the bus tub at the dishwasher’s station. “Besides, we’re just friends.”

She laughed at that. “You know she’s always had a crush on you.”

“That’s not true,” Zack said. His last two girlfriends—Avery and Kendall—had both made their intentions known up front, but Camille had never said a word. He’d even asked her about it directly, and she’d laughed it away. But of course, his mom didn’t want to believe that. She wanted Zack to settle down, get married, and work at this inn for the rest of his life.

But Zack’s parents had actually seen the world, and his father had been the first and only human to join the Sentinals. It was easy to retire in a small town when you’d already lived a full life of excitement.

Even Mayor Reeves deferred to Aria in certain matters, and he spoke of Darek Farron with clear reverence in his voice. Zack would never measure up to that if he stayed here.

They stepped deeper into the kitchen, where the stainless steel countertops gleamed under the bright lights. A massive stove filled one wall, covered with shimmering pots and pans. His mother stirred several of these as she passed, then adjusted the dials beneath the others. The air was warmer back here, and the scents of baked bread mingled with roasting meats and fried vegetables. It didn’t take long for his stomach to growl.

The walk-in cooler opened behind them, and Kendall Vanec emerged with a container of packaged meat. She had jet-black hair and a pair of silver piercings on her lips. Zack wasn’t a fan of those, but she’d gotten them several years after they’d broken up.

“Hey Kendall,” Zack’s mom hollared across the kitchen. “Do you know any girls who have a crush on Zack?”

“Duh.” Kendall said as she stocked her station. “Camille Reeves, of course.”

His mother turned to face him, a triumphant grin on her face.

Oh sure, if Kendall Vance said it, then it must be true.

“Want me to make you something?” his mom asked after a short pause.

“That’s okay,” Zack said. “I’ve got it.”

His mom returned to the bar, and Zack headed over to the sandwich station. There, he grabbed a few slices of sourdough bread and piled on a sliced grilled chicken breast, some lettuce, tomato, and two slices of smoked bacon. All the while, Daudilus sat back on his haunches, eyes wide with hope.

“Don’t worry.” Zack grinned at the husky and grabbed some lettuce leaves. “I didn’t forget about you.”

Somehow, Daudilus managed to look even more sad, and his patience had an undertone of urgency.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I’m joking.” Zack grabbed a second grilled chicken breast and put it on his plate. “Did you level up your sad puppy eyes, too?”

“Hey.” Kendall sauntered over and leaned against the sandwich counter.

Zack buttered the outside of his sandwich and threw it in the press. “What’s up?”

“You should help your mom up front tonight. At least for the dinner rush.”

“What about the grill?” Zack asked.

She waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve got things covered back here.”

“Okay, but why? My mom’s the best bartender in town.”

“Yeah, but she keeps falling behind since the espresso maker broke.”

Zack hesitated before he retrieved his sandwich. “The espresso maker’s broken? Since when?”

“Uh, since last Thalorday?” Kendall patted him on the shoulder. “You should pay more attention around here.”

~~~

Zack headed up to his family suite a few minutes later. This was bigger than most rooms in the Valley View, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living space, and even a small kitchen. He sat down at the table and inhaled his dinner. Then he threw his combat clothes in the washer, took a shower, and changed into his bartender’s uniform—dark gray shorts and a black button-up.

With that done, he let Daudilus out the back door and headed up front to help his mom. Bartending wasn’t that bad overall. It was cooler in the front, and far less messy. Rude customers were always a thorn in his side, but Zack could always fill his bouncer role if someone crossed a line. Not that he expected any real trouble outside the tourist season.

The first hour passed uneventfully, but things picked up after five o’clock. Crowds trickled in through the front doors; mostly families, farmers, and a few groups of plant workers who’d just ended their shifts. Most settled in at the tables throughout the common room, but a few loners sat at the bar, or in the leather chairs near the fireplace.

Zack was wiping down the bar when the Lyon brothers strolled in. All three of them had bushy red hair and matching beards—even Lukas, who was only sixteen. Jacob was closer to Zack’s age, while Connor was a few years older. They all worked the night shift at the Starwing Grounds plant.

“Hey. Zack leaned forward on the bar. “What can I get you guys?

“Three double shots to go,” Jacob said.

Zack blinked at him “Don’t you guys get free coffee at the plant?”

“We did,” Connor replied. “Then the espresso maker broke down.”

“You too?” Zack asked as he retrieved the disposable cups. “What are the odds of that?”

“It’s those blasted gnomish heating elements,” Zander Kord said from farther down the bar. Zack’s old teacher was the largest man in town, with arms like boulders, and a groomed silver beard. “Nolan used to replace them like clockwork every few years.”

“Yeah,” Jacob said. “Whole town’s falling apart without him.”

Master Kord nodded as he sipped his ale. “The dojo’s temperature unit’s been slowing dying. Things are fine now, but it’s bound to get cold in the winter.”

“That’s nothing,” Connor said. “I heard half the east side lost power last night.”

Master Kord frowned as he set down his mug. “Did they really?”

“It’s true.” Zack pointed a thumb toward the ceiling. “Half of them are sleeping upstairs.”

“Wait.” Lukas leaned forward on the bar. “You can still make espresso, right?”

“Sure,” Zack said. “We’ve been doing it by hand with the dwarven press. Unlike the gnomish espresso maker, the dwarven press needed physical force to generate the pressure. Zack didn’t mind the arm workout, but it was far slower than the regular machine.

Thank the Titans this wasn’t tourist season, or they’d be in big trouble. Coffee was the primary export of Questers’ Valley. Specifically frostbrew beans, which had been genetically engineered by the gnomes to grow in cold climates like this. A full quarter of the people were coffee farmers; and another third worked at the plant, roasting, grinding, and packaging the beans. It wasn’t much of a tourist spot, but the inn still filled up in the summer—mostly people from Arvendale looking for a cool place to wait out the southern heat.

“So what are you gonna do?” Lukas asked from behind him.

“Can’t do much without a mechanist.” Zack pulled the iron lever on the dwarven press, and the drops seemed to come out in slow motion. Worst of all, he had to make six of these. They should have taken double shots off the menu.

“How about a new machine?”

“They don’t sell this model anymore,” Connor told his brother. “And the new ones run on reactor power”

“So? What’s this one run on?”

Connor groaned. “Do you even pay attention in school?”

“I talked to those elves today,” Jacob cut in.

“When?” Connor asked.

“Few hours ago. They parked their van in the town square.”

Connor made a surprised sound. “You just walked up there and talked to a group of elves?”

“Well, Glenn Gilder talked to them, but I was right there. They seemed friendly enough. Friendly for elves, at least.”

“What’d they say?” Lukas asked.

“Said they’d have the reactor up by next year.”

Zack spun around to face the three brothers. “What month?”

“I dunno . . . Springtide, maybe? Definitely one of the spring months.”

Great. It was Summersend now, so Springtide was more than seven months away. He couldn’t imagine making coffee by hand all winter. Then again, what if this new tunnel paid off? He could be living in Arvendale two months from now, and this wouldn’t be his problem anymore.

“Don’t be so eager,” Zack’s mom said from farther down the bar. “The elves will sell us new appliances that run on their reactors. Plus we’ll lose our ambient mana, and the whole town will have to buy expensive converters.”

“Sure,” Connor said. “But they pay us for the mana they take.”

“They pay us in tax breaks,” Aria corrected with a raised finger. “It’s already our money. They’re just giving it back.”

Master Kord grunted in agreement.

“Still,” Connor said. “We can use that money to buy what we need.”

Aria patted the espresso maker behind her. “This old thing is older than I am, but the new ones barely last five years. We’ll keep spending our tax breaks on replacements, and we’ll be lucky to break even in the end.”

Zack tuned them out as he worked. The town had already voted to put the reactor in, and there was no sense in arguing about it now. Especially with the older crowd, who were set in their ways.

The work eventually quieted down, but the bickering continued, so Zack grabbed the bag of trash and stepped out the inn’s back door. As always, the cool mountain air was a welcome relief from the common room’s heat. No sooner had he stepped outside than the music blasted his eardrums. Zack didn’t recognize the song, but it sounded like a dwarven iron band with its drum beats and distinctive shouting.

An awning extended from the side of the inn, shielding his father’s old gym equipment from the rain and snow. A long rack of dumbbells sat along one wall, and a punching bag hung from the metal support beam.

Daudilus got a running start and leapt through the air. His legs hit the punching bag with surprising force, and the husky flipped backward, landing on all fours like a cat. He got another running start and repeated the process again.

Titans above. Was his dog having a training montage?

Daudilus must have noticed Zack standing there, because he ran over to the radio and pressed the off button with his nose.

“Hey.” Zack set down the trash bag and knelt on the asphalt. Daudilus rushed over and sat back on his haunches. “We haven’t talked much today, have we? “Are you okay?”

Daudilus gave an eager nod.

“Yeah . . .” Zack felt the gray and white fur around the husky’s chest, but he saw no sign of the mana sphere he’d swallowed. Still, it must be in there somewhere. The things had survived for decades in those gnome skeletons, even after their flesh and clothing had turned to dust. “You’re better than okay, aren’t you?”

Another nod.

“I mean, you’re obviously smart now, but I can’t tell what’s going on in your head.” He glanced around the back lot. In addition to the radio, Daudilus had somehow dragged out his water dish, along with his bag of treats. But unlike before, he hadn’t tried to consume the treats all at once.

“You have everything you need?” Zack asked him. Daudilus licked his face in reply, and Zack scratched his head. “You sure you don’t want anything?” Despite being his best friend, Daudilus had still been a pet before today. Now, he’d clearly become something more, and they barely had time to process that.

The husky pulled back a few inches and cocked his head to the side. His blue eyes went suddenly distant as if he were considering his reply with care.

Several more heartbeats passed, and then he scurried over to the edge of the asphalt and found some loose sand between the parking lot and the grass. He stretched out his right paw and began drawing in the sand. Zack half-expected words at first, but that would be silly. Daudilus had never seen written words before, and even mana couldn’t pull knowledge out of thin air.

Instead, the husky made a crude drawing. It was sloppy by human standards, but the image was unmistakable.

“The cave?” Zack asked. “You want to go back, don’t you?”

Daudilus swished his tail, looking pleased with himself.

In hindsight, this shouldn’t have been a surprise. They’d both voted to keep exploring, and they’d only left because of Camille.

“But why?” Zack asked. Daudilus had always liked their trips out of town, but he’d never been this driven before.

The husky paused again, then he gestured with his chin toward the punching bag.

“You want to get stronger?” Zack guessed.

He swished his tail more vigorously.

Zack thought back to their fight against the quartz beetles, and how Daudilus had shone with blue light and healed his wound. It didn’t happen until after the fight, almost as if the spheres were rewarding him for his victory.

“We’ll go back soon,” Zack told him. “I promise.”

The other two spheres sat upstairs in his room, and he fought down the urge to rush up and experiment right then and there. But he’d promised Camille he wouldn’t touch them until after she’d done some research.

Still, she better hurry. Zack couldn’t wait to try one of these things for himself.