“Drake, you have a letter?” Gigi asked skeptically.

Drake walked out of the kitchen, cleaning his hands with a dishrag. He had been learning the ways of the bakery from Griselda. The fire could have been a better start, but he proved diligent and a hard worker, if perhaps a slow learner.

“A letter?” he asked with worry. Who could it be from? Nobody outside of Poppy knew he was there, and he doubted the captain or Gaius would go through the pretenses of pleasantries.

“I’m going to open it.” She tore open the envelope with relish.

“Hey, isn’t that mine?”

“Yeah, well, it’s my house.” She flipped open the parchment and read it to herself.

“It’s your mom’s house,” Drake shot back, shaking his head. “What’s it say?”

“It’s from Secco. He didn’t sign it, but nobody else would use a machine to write like this.” She handed him the paper. It didn’t say much.

Meet me in the Wild Feather tavern this afternoon.

“Well, that’s weird,” Gigi said.

“What is?”

“Why does he want you and not me? You know, his actual friend?”

“Ouch,” Drake pretended to be wounded.

“You know what I mean.”

“To be clear, the letter itself is not weird?” he asked, holding it up.

“Nah,” she waved her hand. “Secco is an odd bird, and this seems very much like his style. But why you?” Gigi asked. Drake shrugged. “That’s it. I’m going, too,” she finally announced.

“NO, YOU ARE NOT,” shouted Griselda from the kitchen. Gigi’s ears drooped as she grimaced.

“Maybe it’s man stuff?” Gigi speculated.

“Man stuff?” Drake asked.

“Like women?” Gigi laughed, then shook her head. “Yeah, probably not, and even if it was, ugh-Why you?”

“That is a good question,” Drake moved toward the door. “I’ll go ask him. It’s almost noon anyway.”

***

Drake pushed through the heavy door to see a mostly empty bar room. He did not appreciate being in this tavern again so soon after the funeral. However, it was a bright autumn day, and with the light streaming through the windows, the establishment took on a brighter charm. Uvara, the harpy, was happily chatting with patrons at the bar. He smiled and nodded at her. She returned a wink and continued talking. Drake scanned the room for his mysterious friend.

He spotted him in the corner, at a table by himself. Drake waved a greeting, which Secco awkwardly returned. The inventor stood to greet the soldier as he approached, running his hands over his red suit vest to smooth out the creases.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, but, you see, time is of the essence. Can I buy you a drink?”

“Does everyone here drink during the day?” Drake asked as they took their seats. Secco laughed nervously.

“I’m surprised but relieved that our mutual green friend isn’t with you. This is something I think you could help me with specifically. She would likely only make things more...difficult. I think she would be too direct for the mission at hand.”

“Why me? Do you need me to fight something?” Drake asked curiously.

“No, nothing like that,” Secco shook his head. “It’s of a more...romantic nature.”

Drake perked up and smiled. “Oh, why didn’t you say so? I would be happy to help!” Drake said enthusiastically.

A flash of confusion came across Secco’s face. “You don’t even know what I’m asking you to do yet.”

“So?” They both stared at each other momentarily until Drake motioned for him to keep talking.

“Ah, yes, you see, there is a certain...smith in the village that I am very fond of. I have yet to summon the courage to confess my feelings.”

Drake nodded solemnly. “Okay, great! What’s her name?”

“His name is Philip,” Secco said, looking nervously at Drake.

Drake smiled knowingly and nodded. “I’m following. So how do I help?”

“Good man,” Secco said with relief. “You see, the reason I came to you is, well, you are the only person I’m aware of in an extra-race relationship.”

“You mean because I’m human and Gigi is a goblin?”

“Precisely.”

“Oh, is Philip a goblin too?”

“No, my friend, Philip is the most breathtaking centaur you have ever laid eyes on.” Drake watched momentarily as a dreamy look came over Secco.

“What’s the plan of attack for the mission?” Drake asked, snapping the inventor out of his daydream.

“That was what I was rather hoping you could assist with. Surely, a strapping young soldier like yourself has had his fair share of romantic conquests,” he asked expectantly.

Drake burst into laughter and shook his head. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Gigi is the only woman I’ve ever been with.”

Shock gripped Secco’s face. “The only,” he said in astonishment. “That is rather surprising.”

Drake casually shrugged off the unintended insult. “But I do have an idea.”

Secco sat up straighter, meeting Drake’s gaze. “You do?”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Yeah, why don’t we just go talk to him?”

“WE CAN’T!” Secco exclaimed, causing the few tavern patrons to glance over at him.

“Why?” Drake quizzed.

“I don’t know what I’m going to say! What if I say the wrong thing?”

“Well, what if you say the right thing? Besides, I’m great at asking questions to fill dead air. Also, I’m like a hero now, I guess? Maybe we can use that?” Secco leaned back in his chair and took in the words.

“You have a point, I must admit.”

“Can you tell me more about him?”

“Well, from what I have gathered, he was taken in as an apprentice by the Brontes family.”

“The Cyclops family? Did he know Frank?”

“Yes, I believe they were fairly close. He looked devastated at the funeral. I believe Frank was his mentor.”

“Well then, why don’t you just stop by to pay your respects? That’s a great excuse! Bring him a gift or something. Do you know what he likes?”

“He draws. I’ve seen him do it at the square on his days off.”

“I draw!” Drake exclaimed.

“You do?” Secco asked in surprise.

“I have an idea! Why don’t I draw him something? Then you can give it to him as a gift. Say you did it!”

“I don’t think lying to him as the first thing I do is a good idea.”

“Hm, perhaps not. Okay, you can just tell him a friend helped you out.”

“That could work,” Secco said hopefully.

“Great, it’s settled. Let’s go see Philip!” Drake stood enthusiastically. Secco downed the rest of his drink and shook his head in agreement nervously.

“Wait, don’t you have to draw something?”

“I will. I’m going to draw the two of you,” he grinned.

***

“Drake, I don’t think this is such a good idea,” Secco said as he stalked behind his friend.

“Come on, it’s perfect! It’s such a simple plan.”

“That is what worries me,” Secco said. He was starting to sweat in the chill autumn air.

“I have paper, charcoal, everything I need from your shop. What could go wrong? Just go up to him and start talking like you like to do. I’ll walk up and offer to draw you both together.”

“But it’s not like we are on a date. He’s working!”

“Hm, that’s a good point.” Drake thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll ask to draw him while he’s working.”

“Maybe? This is your plan.”

“Yeah, but the important part is to stay loose and let the plan come to you. You know what I mean? You don’t want to overthink it.”

Secco put his hand to his forehead. “You are giving me a headache.”

“Wait, isn’t this it?” Drake stopped abruptly in front of what appeared to be a massive stone house. Two mighty wooden doors sat, and the window panes were alight with orange from the fires burning inside. Above the door was a cast iron sign with an anvil struck by a hammer reading “Brontes Metalworks” in painted gold lettering against the black iron.

“I can’t do this,” Secco said, looking pale.

“You will do it!” Drake encouraged.

Secco nodded and took a shaky breath. “Alright, before I come to my senses.” Drake grinned and pushed the doors inward.

Heat blasted them as they entered, the air heavy with the scent of sweat and smoke. The workshop was massive, with three huge cyclopes and a sizeable centaur working within. Drake thought they needed the space.

Drake folded his arms. “Hm, they look busy. Maybe coming during work was a bad idea.”

A flash of irritation came across Secco’s face. “That’s what I said!”

“Okay.” Drake shrugged. “New plan.” He turned to Secco. “I’m a guy who needs a present for my lady, and you are my friend who volunteered to help with the design. He can be the centaur that makes it.”

Secco put his hand to his chin. “That’s, surprisingly, not terrible.”

“Thanks!” Drake said enthusiastically.

“Hey, can we help you two love birds?” boomed the nearest cyclops.

Drake gave a friendly wave. “I think so. My name is Drake, and I have a commission for Philip.”

“Phil?” the Cyclops asked, turning toward the centaur.

Philip looked up from his anvil, setting down the hammer and tongs. Muscular fingers pressed the leather and glass goggles he wore up his olive-toned face. The other hand stroked a thick but well-maintained beard as the centaur stood out behind the stall. His apron covered his front, and Drake was careful not to stare.

“These two, uh, customers, are here for you,” the Cyclops said. “They are your problem now. Get’em out of the shop quick, would ya? Unless they are for real, then roll out the red carpet. Work is work.”

“Well, you heard him, fellas.” Phil smiled as he spoke, the corners of his mustache going toward the ceiling. “You said you have a job for me?”

“I do. I’ve heard you’re the best in Poppy,” Drake lied.

“Who told you that?” Phil asked quizzically.

“Doesn’t matter,” Drake shrugged. “I want a gift for my love.”

“Oh, like a necklace or ringlet, perhaps? What is your love’s complexion? I could match a fine, rare stone to make her shine.”

“She’s like a moss green, but I had something else in mind.”

“Oh?” Phil asked. “A piece of jewelry so grand it might make the gods envious?”

Drake laughed. “I was thinking something more for protection.”

“Protection?” interjected Secco.

“But,” Drake thought for a second, “it needs to be more than that. It has to let her know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“You mean like a proposal ring?” asked Secco, shocked.

“Nah,” Drake shook his head. “She has rings. This needs to be something special.”

Phil stroked his beard absently as he appeared to think. “So it’s a gift that needs to say you’ll be with her forever, also for protection,” Phil stated. “What about a sword? Simple, elegant, deadly. Does she have one of those?”

Drake shook his head. “She doesn’t, but from what she told me, she almost cut her ear off the last time she used one.”

“No swords,” the centaur agreed.

“What about a hammer?” offered Secco.

“I think it will remind her of her dad too much,” Drake countered.

“Touche,” offered Secco.

Philip stomped a hoof. “I think I’ve got it. Our girl, is she a brawler?” Drake and Secco looked at each other and laughed. “Okay, then I think I have an idea. Let me draw something up for you, and then we can go from there.”

“Perfect!” Drake exclaimed. “You draw it up and just let me know, and then we can go over whatever you have.”

“Where do you live? How do I contact you?” asked Phil.

“Oh, I live at the bakery. The Rising Bread.”

“The goblin one? Yeah, I know it. Last question - how will you be paying for my valuable time?”

Drake grinned. “Oh, that is something you can work out with my friend here,” Drake said as he squeezed Secco’s shoulder. Secco’s jaw dropped. “He would also love to pay for your dinner sometime.”

Phil raised an eyebrow. “Is that true?” the centaur asked. “Do you want to take me out to dinner?”

Secco seemed to shrink at the question. “I would very much like that,” Secco said sheepishly.

Phil smiled warmly. “Sure, why not? You seem nice, helping your lovesick and broke friend out. Come by around eight, okay?

“Eight?” Secco asked.

“Tonight? You did mean tonight, right?” Phil asked.

“He absolutely did!” Drake interjected.

“I, I did,” Secco nodded.

“Then it’s a date,” Phil said with a wink.