Richard rose to the smell of coffee and breakfast. He was enjoying this new venture that Bob had created. He still felt guilty that they weren’t keeping the traditions of robbing and raiding, but Richard would rather drink coffee than raid.

The chief sat down at this regular table. Rose approached him with two mugs. She sat one down in front of him, and he could smell the rich aroma of coffee. Rose sipped hers, but hers seemed different.

“What are you drinking,” asked Richard, leaning over and sniffing.

“Coffee,” Rose said, leaning away from the chief.

“But it smells different,” Richard said as he eyed her mug.

“I added spice and milk to mine. It made it less bitter,” Rose said, handing the mug to Richard.

Richard sniffed the mug, and it smelled sweet. He took a sip, and to his surprise, he liked it. “What is it?”

“A spice called vanilla,” Rose said, taking the mug from him.

Richard thought for a moment and then said, “I’ll try that after I have my cup.”

Rick brought two plates of food and sat them down before Rose and Richard. Richard couldn’t help but notice that Rose’s plate had more food on it. He didn’t like that the imp seemed fascinated with the shaman. He would have to put a stop to that. Also, he felt him being the chief; he should have more food.

“Great orc Bob,” called Rick, “We have customers.”

Bob stepped behind his table and began taking orders and collecting gold and other valuable items. He was thrilled to see more humans in the line. The imps still outnumbered the humans, but it became apparent that there was more every day.

The first human stepped up and laid the gold on the table, “Eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee, please.” Bob grunted and took the gold. Rick handed the plate to the human.

Rose walked over to Bob to watch. She sipped her coffee and watched the humans.

“Uh, excuse me, uh, miss?” A female spoke to Rose. “What are you drinking?”

“It’s coffee with vanilla and milk,” Rose said.

“Oh, that sounds good. I’ll take one, please.” The human said.

Bob looked at Rose. She stepped over to him, and they began to whisper. Soon they agreed. Bod looked at the human, “The vanilla milk coffee is one gold.”

The human thought it over. Bob feared one gold was too much, but the human laid the gold coin on the table. Rose walked behind the cart to where they were keeping their provisions. She made a cup of vanilla milk coffee. She returned and gave the cup to the human.

The human took a quick drink. Her eyes lit up, “This is wonderful! I may have to have another before we leave.” She left with her vanilla milk coffee and her breakfast. The humans she sat with each took a sip, and all were surprised at how good it was.

Soon the humans were lining up to get the vanilla milk coffee. It was becoming more popular than regular black coffee. Rose was busy making them as fast as she could.

“One vanilla milk coffee for Fran,” Rose shouted.

The human Fran took the mug, “That’s a mouth full.”

“Yes, I have tusks,” said Rose, irritated.

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“No, I mean the name. Vanilla milk coffee is a mouth full, to say.” Frans said as she sipped her drink.

“Well, that is what it is,” Rose said.

“You know, in a far-off land, they call milk latte. You could call it a vanilla latte.” Fran said, walking away.

“Vanilla latte? That’s a stupid name,” Rose said.

“Hey,” Said the next human in line, “I’ll take a vanilla latte too.”

“That’s not what it's called,” Rose glared.

“Oh, me too. I want a vanilla latte," another human said.

“Fine! Vanilla latte for all of you!” Rose shouted. As she walked away, she grumbled, “Stupid name. Stupid humans.”

“Hey Bob,” shouted the chief, “Don’t forget we have BLTs now.”

“Oh, right,” Bob shouted to the line of imps and humans before him, “BLT is on the menu. Five gold for a BLT and coffee. Six gold for BLT and a vanilla latte.” Bob felt funny saying the word, latte.

“Great orc, Bob. What is BLT?” Asked a human close to the front of the line.

Bob held his hands out and pushed them down, “It’s two pieces of bread, with bacon, lettuce, and tomato between them. It’s good. Orc approved.”

The human looked at Bob, tilted his head to one side, frowned, and tilted his head to the other side. “Ok, I’ll have a BLT with a vanilla latte.”

“Wait your turn, human,” yelled an imp in front of the human. The imp drew a small dagger. The human placed his hand on his sword.

Bob slammed the palms of his hands hard onto the table, “No fighting in line! You fight, and you don’t get breakfast.”

The imp and the human’s eyes went wide with fear. No breakfast! The imp sheathed his dagger, and the human removed his hand from his sword. The rest glared at the two.

The chief motioned one of his guards over to him. “Stand over by the line,” He ordered. The orc grunted and walked over to the line. Bob watched as the chief made his way over to bob.

The chief shouted, “I am chief Richard. That,” He pointed to the guard standing next to the line, “Is Doug. If you cause trouble, you will deal with Doug.”

One of the imps snickered, “Doug has no weapon. How will he deal with anyone?”

Richard looked down at the imp, “Oh, little cousin. Doug has no weapon because he likes to throw things, imps, humans, and other orcs.” The imp looked back at Doug with fear. His attention was brought back to the chief, “Imps bounce.” Richard gave the imp a big toothy grin.

Doug became the orc’s first bouncer. It will be a job he will immensely enjoy.

The BLTs and the vanilla lattes became the most popular items on the orc’s menu. Richard was thrilled with the amount of gold that was being made. He saw the mayor get in line. The silly little man seemed as nervous today as he did the day before.

Bob and Richard’s sharp ears began to catch the conversations at the tables.

“BLT, wow. I never heard of this, but I love it.”

“My life is complete with a vanilla latte.”

“Wish my wife could cook like this.”

Another human laughed, “Can’t cook like an orc, but she looks like one.”

“Shut up!”

The humans looked ready to fight until they caught sight of Doug. They decided even though they had breakfast; they didn’t want to know if humans could bounce (hint, they can).

After the mayor finished his food, he walked over to Richard. “Another successful day, Chief Richard.”

“Yes, mayor Hamilton. It is.” Richard said, looking down at the little man. He didn’t appear to be as red or nervous now.

“Will we see you in town today?” The mayor asked.

Richard said, “Yes, I want to see your town, the inn, and the singing elf.”

“Singing elf?” The mayor asked, “Oh, yes, yes, the bard. He’s pretty good.” The mayor waved and said, “Well, I’ll be off, see you in town later.”

“Yes, later,” Richard said.

As the line wound down, the imps and humans left. Bob had recruited a few more imps to help with the dishware. Mick couldn’t keep up with the mass of customers that day. Rose sat exhausted; she had taken on the duty of making the lattes.

Bob, Mick, and Rick gathered the gold needed for supplies and loaded it into the wagon. Rick and Mick climbed up, with Rick taking the reins. The pony began its daily routine of going to town.

Richard walked next to the wagon. Rose and Bob caught up and began the journey as well. The rest stayed at the camp to clean up and guard the remaining gold.