The following morning, the two heroes woke to the smell of breakfast. It wasn’t the hearty, meat-heavy meal Prunhiline would prefer, but they knew they’d appreciate it all the same. They sat with the village women to eat, though Nel was nowhere to be seen.

“Good morning,” Faull said to them.

“Good morning,” Britina said back. Prunhiline waved as she stuffed roasted sweet potatoes into her mouth (whole, of course).

“Nell is off on an errand into the forest. There are some men who are overhunting some of the wildlife,” Faull said as she took a bite from one of the roasted sweet potatoes.

“Overhunt? Does she allow some hunting, then?” Britina asked.

“Some,” Faull said.

“Hunting some of the game can help keep the ecosystem in check.” Prunhiline said, “But overhunting will cause the ecosystem to become out of balance, and the animals and vegetation will suffer.”

Britina stared at her companion. She wasn’t expecting such a thought-out statement. She knew Prunhiline was intelligent beyond how childish she acted.

“Well put, Prunhiline,” Faull said. “Some hunting can be good. It can keep some herd animals from grazing too much of the land if the predators can’t keep the herd limit down.”

“The plains people will consider every aspect of what we hunt and how it will affect our land. Too much or too little can throw the plains out of balance. We strive to stay in harmony with nature,” Prunhiline said after swallowing another sweet potato whole.

“Makes sense. We have fishing regulations at the port where I’m from.” Britina said.

“You are from the ocean?” Faull asked, “I’ve never seen it, but I would love to. What’s it like?”

“The ocean is vast! And it never stops. The waves have a gentle rhythm to them. I had to get used to sleeping without hearing the waves when I moved to the capital. It was odd to me not to hear it.” Britina said.

“I remember that. I had the same problem; there was too much noise.” Prunhiline grumbled as she devoured more vegetables.

The women enjoyed their meal together. Later, Wisp arrived (she’d already eaten) and chatted with Prunhiline about life on the plains, which the elder clearly missed.

“Prunhiline,” Britina said, “It’s time to go. Faull says if we leave now, we will make the next inn before sunset.”

“What about our horses?” Prunhiline said. Britina gasped; she had forgotten.

“Excuse me, miss?” a young girl approached them. “Your horses are just past the clearing over there. Nel brought them early this morning.” The young girl pointed in the direction that they were going to travel.

“Thank you!” Britina said, relieved they wouldn't have to walk or hunt for their horses.

The two gathered their horses and supplies that the women had given them. Faull had gifted Britina some mushroom tea with strict instructions only to use it at home. It had “interesting” side effects, but though leery of the gift, Britina thanked her.

The path led them to the main road, which was close to where they would have been if they had stayed in the village. Britina silently thanked all the gods for the lack of vegan zombies, thespian werewolves, bandits, rampaging naked warriors, or dragons. It was a quiet, uneventful ride.

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The road leading to the last village before they reached the Dwarven capital was known for its ale and baked goods. Britina had heard from another traveler that even though the villagers were short on citizens, they were able to make some of the best goods around. She looked forward to sampling the village’s famous goods and hoped this would be an uneventful stay.

They rode into town before dusk. The village was brightly painted, and all the houses looked well-kept. She thought it was odd that all the houses were one story, but that could be because they were short on carpenters.

As Britina watched villagers trading goods in the town square, she realized she’d misread the traveler’s letters. The village wasn’t “short on people”; it was a village of short people. Gnomes, to be exact.

“They don’t come up to my knees,” Prunhiline said.

“Shh!” Britina reprimanded her, “Don’t offend anyone.”

They dismounted at a standard-sized barn. Thankfully, the inn and stables were built to accommodate people and horses of their stature. Two Gnomes took Britina’s horse, and four took Prunhiline's. They tried not to show fear, but it was apparent.

They entered the inn, and a Gnome walked up to them. He stood as tall as Britina’s waist. She looked down and smiled at the innkeeper.

“Greetings, travelers, I’m Kit,” Kit said as he cleaned a mug with a towel. “Two for the night?”

“Yes, please. Some food and ale. Do you have any baked goods?” Britina asked, hoping the baked goods mentioned weren’t another misunderstanding.

“Yes! Finest in the land.” Kit said, “I’ll fetch you some ales, food, and several of our rolls.”

Britina and Prunhiline sat at a table that was meant for regular people. Prunhiline looked around at the Gnomes as they entered and sat at smaller tables. It became obvious that this was her first time meeting a Gnome.

Kit soon brought out ale, plates of meat and vegetables, and rolls that smelled divine. The two women thanked him and began to eat; Britina had to admit, these rolls were the best she’d ever had. The inn was pleasant, and Britina began to relax.

Prunhiline was enjoying herself. She liked the ale, the food, and the rolls. The Gnomes made her a little uneasy; going to her room, she worried about accidentally stepping on one. She raised her arm to wave to the innkeeper for more ales. In doing so, she accidentally knocked a mug from the hands of a gnome passing by.

“Sorry!” Prunhiline said. “I’ll get you another one.”

The Gnome threw down his mug and began to yell, “Watch what you're doing! I hate it when humans come here. You're all big and clumsy.”

“Dear love,” Britina whispered, “let it go. It’s fine.”

“Some big olf of a human gotta swing her freakishly long arms around.” The Gnome kept yelling. Prunhilne glared at him and tightened her grip on her butter knife (still with butter on it).

“Sir, we are sorry. Let me get you another one.” Britina turned to wave to the innkeeper, who had just entered from the back. The inn was starting to feel a little too quiet.

“Maybe I don’t want another!” The Gnome yelled at Britina, “Bimbo!”

Prunhiline rose from her feet, and the Gnome looked up. Prunhilne rose some more, and the Gnome looked up some more. Prunhiline rose to her full six-foot-seven and three-quarters. The Gnome felt his three-foot and not much more height.

“What!” Prunhilnie shouted.

Britina jumped to her feet, “Prunhiline!”

The Gnomed squeaked out, “Oh, my, you're a tall one!”

“I am Prunhiline of the plains!” bellowed a now angry Prunhiline. They may not survive her full title, but she was interrupted by the innkeeper, who had dashed over with several mugs in his hands.

Kit set four mugs down on the table between Britina and Prunhiline. He snatched up the empty mug on the floor and then smacked the now less angry Gnome on the back of his head, which was turned all the way up as far as it could go.

“Git your head down, you daft Gnome!” Kit yelled at him, “Ya going to get stepped on one of these days picking a fight with the humans!” The angry Gnome, now pale, stared back at the innkeeper. “Apologize for being rude!”

The Gnome looked back up at Prunhiline, realizing that she really could step on him. “I’m sorry,” he squeaked out.

Kit smacked him again, “And the other one!”

The Gnome looked at Britina and said, “I’m so sorry.”

Kit looked at the heroes, “Two mugs each on da house if ya don’t step on da knee-biter here.”

“Deal!” Britina said, “Prun, sit!”

Prunhiline glared down at the Gnome and then sat back down. The inn slowly resumed its usual chatter.

Kit nudged the Gnome over to the side, where a group of other Gnomes was already chuckling at the scene. Red-faced, the Gnome mumbled something, then shuffled out.

“Well, that was fun,” Brinta said.

“I’d stepped on him, but I didn’t want to have to clean my boots,” Prunhiline grumbled as she downed her first mug of free ale.

Britina laughed, and Prunhiline raised an eyebrow at her. “Dear love,” Britina said, chuckling, “I finally know what it feels like to be you!” Prunhiline choked on her ale, then burst out laughing.