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For anyone who wondered where the other road led …
After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end—but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way. It was time for something new.
“Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as.” She folded the deed and tucked it into her satchel. As she left, Ansom hollered after her. “Oh, and hey! What in the eight hells is coffee?”
Live long enough, you realize some folks can be handed a problem and some tools, and they’ll sort it out. And I never think twice about hiring that sort of fellow.”
“Whichever you like best. I don’t need your name to suit me.” “Cal’s fine. The other’s too much a mouthful.”
it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it’s something else.”
“Used to ain’t the same as ought to.” But he pressed no further, and that was that.
She drank more deeply, and when she wiped her mouth, she looked over at Viv. “No pearls of wisdom?” “Nope.” Tandri’s eyebrows rose. “But I will say…” Viv glanced over to regard Tandri solemnly. “Fuck those motherfuckers.”
“Good night, Tandri.” She was very conscious of the size and roughness of her hand as she reached out and squeezed Tandri’s shoulder. “And thank you. I hope I never make you flee.”
She squeezed Tandri’s hand back. “At least we didn’t lose everything.” Tandri looked bleakly at the machine and the lockbox. “You shouldn’t have risked it.” Following her gaze, Viv turned fully to Tandri and leaned down until their foreheads met, shoulders slumping under the weight of loss and terror and exhaustion. In a low voice, so low she was sure Tandri wouldn’t hear it over the roar of the flames and the rising clamor of people and the ringing of watch bells, she murmured, “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.”
LEGENDS & LATTES re-est. NOVENDER 1386 GRAND REOPENING ~ MENU ~ Coffee ~ exotic aroma & rich, full-bodied roast—½ bit Latte ~ a sophisticated and creamy variation—1 bit Any drink ICED ~ a refined twist—add ½ bit Cinnamon Roll ~ heavenly frosted cinnamon pastry—4 bits Thimblets ~ crunchy nut & fruit delicacies—2 bits Midnight Crescents ~ buttery foldover with a sinful center—4 bits Inquire About Traveling Mugs * WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED
“So. I might not deserve you. And you might forgive too much. But I’m damned glad to have you.”
