Brigands & Breadknives (Legends & Lattes, #2)

by Travis Baldree

“After ten centuries of doing this, do you want to know what’s really exciting?” asked Astryx, ignoring the question. Her gaze was direct, and almost hungry. Fern nodded. “Dry socks.”

“Why don’t you feel that now?” demanded Fern, but quieter with the elf’s face so close. “In all the years I’ve been doing this, can you imagine how many jobs have turned sour? It’s more than you’d believe. And after a while, it becomes clear that those feelings you’re having aren’t practical. Sometimes, the ill turn is your own mistake; sometimes, it’s not. But that depth of feeling? It can’t survive the numbers.”

Would readers be okay with Viv taking a backseat to Fern for the story I wanted to tell? Does anyone want a “cozy” story about the grief of disappointing your friends, and the agony of saying “no”?

I’d be remiss not to thank Seanan McGuire in every book I ever write for the big push that started this snowball rolling down the hill.