“TWO BOWLS OF the stew, thank you. That will be all,” Cat said, using her royal voice. It was obvious the tavern maid wanted to ask for payment, but she seemed stunned into silence by Cat’s demeanor, and she walked off slowly looking confused. “Oh, and we’ll speak with Elayne Keeper at her earliest convenience.” The tone suggested it would be convenient right now and not a second later.

  The girl actually curtsied briefly, confused to be ordered around by a woman who had nothing of value with her and hadn’t even paid yet, but she went off into the kitchen quietly.

  “I feel bad,” Cat whispered to Bert. “Elayne is known for her temper. She’s also known for her stew, which she cooks herself. She won’t trust another with the recipe or preparation.”

  Sure enough, they heard a woman roaring in the kitchen about being taken away from her work. “This better be good!” she said, pushing open the dual wooden doors blocking the inn from the kitchen. Elayne Keeper was a woman who looked to enjoy her own stew as much as any other. Despite being splattered with food residue, she was otherwise neat and clean in a once-white apron. Her graying hair was tied up in a bun held tight by—of all things—a wooden spoon. She seemed about to open her mouth to scream at Cat and Bert, but stopped. She squinted her eyes and seemed to say something to herself. She turned back to the kitchen. “Girl! Two bowls and our finest wine for our guests. Double time!”

  The tavern maid curtsied fully this time and scuttled off.

  Cat stood, smoothed her clothing and awaited Elayne as she walked over slowly. The woman looked around before leaning down and kissing Cat’s outstretched hand.

  “Is this boy known well to you, lady?” Elayne asked quietly. To Bert it seemed a clear question as to whether they could be open in their conversation.

  “A hired sword, loyal to Wyrmgate,” Cat waved him off. “You may speak plainly. Please, join us briefly.”

  The woman undid her apron and hung it on a post. She slid in beside Bert, noticeably leaving Cat her own side to spread out. “Lady Wyrmblessed, an honor to have you in my establishment. Your own mother graced us with her presence many years ago. Whatever you need, just let me know.”

  Cat nodded her thanks. “You’ve served my family well all these years, Elayne. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. In these dark times, one needs loyal friends more than ever.”

  Elayne flushed at the praise. “Your words warm my heart, lady.”

  “We are here unknown for the moment, and need it to remain that way. I will stay in your best room and will require an adjacent room for Berk here,” Cat nodded towards Bert.

  “Of course!” Elayne said quickly. “There is a merchant who has paid for the whole moon, but he will understand the need for a princess!”

  “The daughter of a wealthy barrel merchant,” Cat corrected. “Catherine Cooper.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Of course,” Elayne agreed quickly.

  “We’ll need enough silver to last several days, but I will ensure you are repaid triple for your trouble.”

  “Oh! I wouldn’t dream of it! I am happy to give you the money, of course.”

  Cat nodded her assent. “One last thing. What is the mood in town? Things look…less exuberant than usual for Preserve Day celebrations.”

  Elayne look surprised to be asked the question. “Did you not receive my latest…correspondence, my lady?”

  “I have been traveling a while, and my last stop at home was briefer than I would have liked,” Cat replied smoothly.

  “Well,” Elayne began, suddenly stopping as the serving maid returned with the food and drink. She stared at the girl until she left and then leaned forward, speaking quietly. “The entire city has been put to work. Most work in the new covered docks by the sea, but many others have been put to sea, trading for wood and metal from wherever it can be found. Others have been put into teams and sent far and wide with horses and oxen, told to bring materials from wherever they can be found. All our smiths and shipbuilders work all day and often into the night in those shipyards. None will talk of what they do. When all this began, there were hangings of men who had been convicted of treason for talking. They removed their tongues and nailed them to their foreheads for the birds to eat. People got the message quickly. I was careful to use our code when writing to you, naturally.”

  Cat took this all in without seeming to react. Bert knew better. The idea of cutting out a man’s tongue and hanging him to become bird food was something she would never have done as ruler. “That seems extreme for Queen Aldera and King Rowan, does it not?”

  Elayne nodded quickly and looked around once more, ensuring no one was listening. She somehow leaned in even more, despite her head nearly touching Cat’s. “There is talk of rough men in those covered shipyards who are working the men to their bones. Some special project that the king and queen have no say over other than to allow. It’s believed it’s these men who ordered the hangings, not our monarchs.”

  Cat gave a quick look to Bert, who nodded his understanding. Crowe’s men, or ones in league with him certainly. “Thank you for your candor, as always, Elayne.” She placed her hands on top of the woman’s and locked eyes with her. “One final question. Have you heard much of the battles of dragons and Wyrmgate?”

  Elayne looked uncomfortable to be answering. “The news comes slowly these days. The roads are not as safe as they once were, and people hold their tongues more than ever. Even my stew, silver and wine cannot always loosen their tongues like they once could. We hear talk of men from the north marching with dragons and even men riding their backs like a horse. Riding a dragon…hogwash, of course, but the fact they have dragons at all seems all but certain. Word is that Wyrmgate, and your beloved Sir Storme have countered them and sent them licking their wounds back home, but that is the last I have heard of it. Pardon my bluntness, my lady, but we also heard that you fought at his side. Many pass it off as simply rumor, but knowing your fierceness, I do believe it myself.”

  Cat gave her a sly smile. “My place is always to do what is best for Wyrmgate. In that, you can place your full faith.”

  “Of course!” the innkeeper replied quickly.

  “Thank you for your support, your kindness and, of course, your silence. You will be rewarded,” Cat said, sitting up, indicating that the discussion was done.

  “My lady,” Elayne said quietly. She stood. “Anything you need is yours, Catherine Cooper. All you need to do is ask and the Red Turkey will provide!” She shouted it loud enough to earn a turn and nod from several of the women and girls working in the tavern. “Enjoy your meal.” With that she walked away.

  “Not a word until we are alone in our rooms,” she whispered to Bert.

  He nodded his understanding and took a bite of the stew. It tasted of cod, leaks and hints of garlic. There was another flavor Bert couldn’t name, but the entire thing was unbelievably delicious. “By the saints…” he said aloud.

  Cat smiled and took a spoonful herself. “It’s the truffle that really gives it that extra something.”

  “Ah, of course,” Bert agreed quickly. He ate happily, wondering what exactly a truffle was.