Chapter Twelve

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Chapter Twelve

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Mirelle slept deeply through the night, and woke feeling refreshed. It was unusual for her to sleep so well, though she certainly wasn’t going to complain. Images from vivid dreams lingered in her mind as she lay in bed. Vivid dreams were unusual, as well. She tried to recall them, but the harder she grasped the images the faster they dissipated. She may as well have been trying grasp gossamer spider webs without damaging them.

Mirelle pushed herself up onto her elbows, thinking about her dreams. Something about Revaramek, dancing on a sand dune in a desert. She chuckled as she pulled back her quilted purple bedspread, and swung her feet out of the bed. Dreams were odd.

She stood up and stretched, trying to piece the surreal images back together. She’d never seen a real desert before, only images in books. The only one she knew of was on the far side of the mountains. She’d heard it said that beyond those peaks was a scorched wasteland the size of an entire country. Not the sort of place she’d like to live, but it might be fun to visit with a group of experienced travelers.

She stood, went to the window and pulled back the curtains a little. The red-purple hues of burgeoning dawn spilled into her bedroom. It was even earlier than she’d realized. She was half tempted to go back to bed, but quickly brushed the temptation aside. She had a lot to get done today, and the sooner she got started the sooner she’d get it over with.

After she’d ruined her friend’s fun the night before, she did a lot of thinking. She came to the conclusion that the best way to move forward now was to find those bandits, have Revaramek eliminate or capture them, and then she’d be done with him. He could go back to his marsh, she could go back to serving the council, and they’d both be better off. Hell, if that oversized lizard hit it off so well with her friends, they could always go and visit him. He could even visit the town again if he wanted, so long as he left her the hell alone and paid for everything damaged.

Until that time, she was stuck with him. After the scene she stumbled upon last night, Mirelle wanted to try and cut him a little slack. Yet she knew wanted was the operative word because she seriously doubted that beast had it in him to reign in his attitude and his ego. Maybe if she made the effort on his behalf, he’d do the same for her.

He’d damn well better.

Mirelle sighed and dug through her closet for some clean clothes. The original tavern she’d turned into her home once had several inn rooms for rent, and she’d made the largest of those her bedroom. After selecting her clothes, she laid them on her bed, next to all her colorful pillows and little stuffed animals.

Before she left, she glanced at the ledgers stacked neatly upon her spacious, dark wood desk. She didn’t even want to think about how much work she was going to have to do to tally up the damages the dragon had caused. Her gaze wandered to the portrait on her desk, a painting of herself in her younger days with her parents. It made her smile.

In the central room, Mirelle started a fire in the hearth. Though the building was first built to serve as a welcoming tavern, Mirelle had long since repurposed it all. The circular common room that once welcomed patrons was now both living room and library. All the old tables and booths were replaced with cozy sofas soft enough to sink into. Brass lamps hung from curved poles. Overstuffed book cases ran around half the room, with more stacks of books piled on the floor. Potted plants and flowers soaked up morning sunlight beneath several windows. Mirelle opened a few windows to let cool, fresh morning air in. She also lit some incense in a censer and soon the spicy scent infused the room.

Once the fire was going, Mirelle heated enough water for a quick bath. She’d bathed the night before, but liked to start her day with a quick cleansing whenever possible. As the water heated, Mirelle took it by the bucketful  into another side room that now served as master bathroom. She’d had a hammered copper tub installed, complete with a drain pipe that ran through the wall. After each bucketful, Mirelle tossed in a few handfuls of fragrant flower petals and herbs and stirred them into the water.

When she had enough water to bathe in, Mirelle climbed into the perfumed water and scrubbed herself with a soft cloth along with some of her favorite scented soaps, redolent with flowers and herbs. It was not cheap, but she always thought the expenditure well worth it. She was happy to treat her friends to it as well, though he hesitated to think just how much of it they’d wasted on the damn dragon the night before.

Mirelle soon rinsed herself with a last bucket of clean water, and drained the tub. She got herself dried, and dressed in clean clothes. She selected black breeches with gray lacing, and a dark, golden dyed blouse with the village’s fist and shield emblem emblazoned on the shoulders. As long as she was being dispatched to another village to solve a problem, she may as well look the part. When she fetched her boots, she was dismayed to find them still a little damp. She sighed, and pulled them on anyway. Maybe she’d buy a new pair before she left. No time like the present to break them in.

She smirked to herself as she fetched a brush. If that damn dragon started up again, she’d break them in on him. She brushed her damp black curls, then set the brush aside and collected her things. She buckled a belt around her waist, with her knife and a few pouches hanging from it, including her coin purse. Then she doused her fire and slipped outside.

Dew coated the grassy, and its sweet scent clung to the outside air. Mirelle inhaled in it, savoring it the fresh scent. Bright morning sunlight cast the world in vibrant shades of cheery gold. Another day, another new beginning. Though Mirelle knew it would be a long, trying day, she had every hope it would also be a productive one.

She crossed the yard, heading towards her tavern, only to see Revaramek sprawled out on the grass near her springs. Mirelle hadn’t expected the dragon to actually sleep here, but at least she wouldn’t have to fetch him or await his return. The dirty beast probably just drank all her ale and passed out drunk. Maybe he’d be hung over. At least then he’d probably be a bit less obnoxious for a while.

Revaramek was still fast asleep, stretched out on his belly, his legs askew. Every limb was extended in a different direction. One wing was spread out and lying half in the water of a spring pool, while the other was draped at his side. The sunlight made his freshly washed green scales glitter like emeralds, and gave his many copper markings the shine of polished metal. Mirelle watched the dragon’s body rise and fall in slow, even motions with his quiet breathing. Now and then a wing twitched, a paw curled. He must have been dreaming. It seemed strange how peaceful even a monster looked in slumber.

Mirelle stepped over the sleeping dragon’s tail and continued on her way. She was careful not to knock over any of the assorted pots, buckles and vessels left over from last night’s bath and story time. No sense waking the beast early. As she neared The Cathedral’s back patio, she was pleasantly surprised to find the damaged awning now held in place with rope, the vines returned to their usual position. Toppled chairs were now back in order.

The welcoming aroma of sizzling bacon washed over Mirelle as soon as she entered the Cathedral. Once more, she was happy to see all the surviving tables and chairs back in their proper place, with no sign of the damaged ones. The floor was swept and clean, the spilled ale long since mopped up. The only visible sign of Revaramek’s inadvertent rampage were the gouges in the floor.

“Mornin’, Mirelle.” Beka’s cheerful voice greeted her as her friend emerged from the kitchen, wearing a grease-splattered apron over a gray shirt and blue skirt. “Sleep okay?”

“Hello, Beka.” Mirelle hopped up onto a stool, smiling. “Quite well, in fact.”

“Oh, hey, Mirelle.” Tavaat poked his head out of the storage room. “Got everything all cleaned up.”

“So I see, and thank you very much, Tavaat.”

“Beka helped.”

“I had too, because your poor lizard body can’t take all that booze.” Beka stuck her tongue out, then whispered to Mirelle. “He’s hungover.”

Tavaat grumbled and vanished into the storage room, only to return a moment later, dusting his hands off with a cloth. “I ain’t that hungover.”

Mirelle scratched at her damp curls, glancing down at the bar. Tavaat had a hangover and he’d still gotten up early to get everything cleaned? She sighed, wishing again that she hadn’t ruined what seemed to have been a wonderful evening for her friends. She should have known they’d get everything cleaned up, and offer to pay for the damages. They always did.

“Come here, Tavaat.” She hopped off her stool. “You too, Beka.”

Tavaat tossed his cloth onto the bar, and padded over. His usual straps for knives and supplies were missing, and he wore a sort of leather kilt designed to accommodate his tail. “Whatcha need, Mirelle?”

“A hug.” Before Tavaat could stop her, she threw her arms around his scaly body and hugged him tight. “Thank you for your hard work. Not just today, but every day. I’m sorry I ruined your fun, last night. I’d have a very difficult day, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on you two. I know you two made the best of tough situation.”

Tavaat returned her hug with a smile and a growling laugh. “Aw, don’t worry about it.”

“Wow, a hug!” Beka giggled, brushing a hand across the small of Tavaat’s back. “We musta done good.”

“You always do good, Beka.” Mirelle released the va’chaak, and turned to hug Beka instead. “Thank you ever so much for being there for me.”

“Hardly something you need to thank me for, despite how much I clearly deserve it.” Beka returned the hug, laughing. “But you’re more than welcome.” She eased back from the hug, and then tweaked the village emblem at Mirelle’s shoulder. “Aren’t you official looking today.”

“Going to be doing some traveling on behalf of the council.” Mirelle squeezed her friend’s shoulder, then climbed back onto a stool. “Don’t suppose you’ve got any bacon left back there?”

“I did, till Tavaat stuffed his greedy muzzle.” Beka put her arm around Mirelle and gave her another little hug before she hurried around the counter. “But I can get some more started for you right away. Tea?”

“Please. And then I want to hear about that new ale you mentioned!”

“Lovely!” Beka smiled and vanished through the kitchen door.

Mirelle swiveled on her stool to face her va’chaak friend who was busy checking all the casks. “Tavaat, could I possibly ask you to do me an immense favor?”

The lizardman glanced back over his shoulder, clicking his teeth. “Seems I probably owe you one.”

Mirelle shook her head. “No, you don’t. But if you’re willing to do me one anyway, could you possible look into collecting all the claims of damages that are going to be filtering in today, and getting them paid? I don’t want anyone to be stuck waiting on funds.”

“Sure, Mirelle.”

“Thank you.” She tapped a finger against the bar. “But, do be sure they’re all legitimate before you issue payment.”

“Of course.” Tavaat chuckled, inspecting a seal on a barrel. “Where are you off to?”

“The Council is dispatching me to investigate this village-pillaging.” She jerked her thumb towards the back exit. “With Mister Overlord out there. With any luck, I can pinpoint them, have him…” She waved her hand. “Do his destructive thing, and I can be done with this mess.”

Tavaat straightened up, smirking at her. “So they weren’t happy you went and got him anyway, huh?”

“No, Tavaat, they were not.” Mirelle gave a bitter chuckle as Beka emerged from the kitchen with a pewter kettle in one hand, and a mug in the other. “They’ve made me his babysitter until this all over.”

Beka set the mug down in front of Mirelle. “He’s not a baby to be sat upon.”

Mirelle scrunched her nose. “What?”

Beka giggled as she poured the tea. “Nevermind. I’ve got your morning tea just how you like it. Strong, dark, and by the mugful.”

“Perfect.” Mirelle smiled and patted Beka’s hand. “Thank you.”

“Of course!” She set the kettle down on the bar. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

Mirelle blew into her mug. Steam swirled around her. She inhaled the aroma, smiled, and took a sip. It was strong, faintly herbal, and held just a hint of honeyed sweetness. Its warmth spread through her body, invigorating her. She sipped it again and set the mug down.

Beka soon returned from the kitchen and set a platter heaped with food down in front of Mirelle. There was thick sliced bacon, a plump sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, brambleberries from the marsh, and a fried egg sitting on crusty toast. The salt, porky scent of the bacon and sausage mingled with the tartness and sweetness of the berries, and the earthy aroma of the mushrooms. Mirelle’s mouth was watching before she’d even picked up her fork.

“Beka, this looks wonderful. Thank you!”

“You can’t taste ale on an empty stomach, after all.”

Mirelle grinned. “Oh, now I’m tasting it, am I?” She picked up a swatch of bacon and bit into it, murmuring her delight.

“Hard to give me a valid opinion if you don’t.” Beka leaned against the counter. “It’s early, so we won’t have much. Unless you want too.”

“I might need it to brace me for the day I’m going to have.” Mirelle split the egg so the runny yoke spilled over her toast, then dipped a bit of sausage in it. “So tell me what you’re working on.”

“I’m using the same base recipe we have in our Afternoon Sunshine.” She glanced at Tavaat. “Actually, pull a couple tasters, would you? Afternoon Sunshine and Batch Four?”

“Sure thing.” Tavaat fetched a few small glasses, and poured the ales. He brought over four glasses, each with a small amount of golden liquid in it, two a bit darker than the others. “Here you go.”

Beka thanked him and arranged the glasses, tapping one. “So, this is Afternoon Sunshine.”

“Which is delicious.” Mirelle spoke as best she could around a mouthful of mushrooms. “One of your best, I think.”

“Thank you!” Beka’s face lit up. She lifted her small glass, smelled it, and gave a sigh. “It’s one of my favorites.” She sipped it, swirled the glass, and sipped it again. “It’s nice and refreshing and you can drink it all day without feeling it.”

“All true.” Mirelle ate a slice of Tomato, then sipped her ale, savoring the clean, refreshing flavor, with just a hint of tartness. “So let me guess. Now you want to brew a version that’ll knock you on your ass.”

Beka laughed, nodding. “You know me so well.” She picked up the glass with slightly darker ale, swirling it around. “Now I like what I have so far, but I need to cut the sweetness.”

Mirelle picked up her second glass, smelling it. The alcohol was more present in the aroma, but so was the sweetness. She took  a sip, swished it around, then swallowed it. It was strong enough to warm her on the way down, and left her mouth filled with the tastes of honey and candied fruits. “Yes. You do. It’s good, but you’re right, it’s too sweet.”

“Agreed.” Beka finished off her own ale, then drummed her fingers against the glass. “I’m thinking heather, and maybe some juniper.”

“Both are good ideas.” Mirelle mopped up egg yoke with another piece of toast. “Just be careful with the balance, too much of either and it’ll end up tasting like some horrid medicinal concoction.” She glanced at her plate, noticing the spots of bright red color. “You could also try brambleberries.”

“I considered those.” Beka handed the glasses to Tavaat who rinsed them out. “But I’ve already got berries in the Priest’s Temptation. I don’t want this to be too similar to that one.”

“Then make mead.” Tavaar set the glasses away, flicking his tail against Beka’s rump. “Those ales all taste funny, anyway.”

“Watch where that tail goes.” Beka punched Tavaat on the arm. “And it’s not my fault you lizards don’t have the tongue to appreciate good brewing.”

“I have a perfectly good tongue.” Tavaat glared at Beka.

Beka smirked at him. “I’ll be the judge of your tongue, Tavaat.”

Tavaat blinked at her, then a smirk crept across his muzzle. “Oh yeah?”

Mirelle burst out laughing, shaking her head. “Oh, Beka, my love. You wanted right into that one.”

Beka harrumphed and folded her arms, but her smirk remained even as a blush tinted her cheeks. “You sound like that dragon. I’m not sure if it’s because you’re both male or because you’re both lizards.”

“We ain’t lizards.” Tavaat prodded her on the arm a few times. “And don’t act like you females never think that sort of thing, either.”

“Of course we do. We just…” She waggled her fingers in the air.

Mirelle picked up for her. “We just have the decency to keep those thoughts to ourselves, until the appropriate time.”

“Uh huh.” Tavaat snorted, and then turned away inspect another cask.

“Right about now seems appropriate.” Beka snatched up the cloth Tavaat had been using, wound it up, and then snapped Tavaat on the rump with it. “Take that!”

“OW!” The lizard jumped up, grasping his rump while both women laughed. “Why’s everyone hittin’ me on the ass, lately?”

Mirelle finished up the last of her breakfast, and pushed the plate aside. “Everyone?”

Beka, giggling insidiously, glanced at Mirelle. “Rev hit him on the ass, too.”

“He did?” Mirelle’s eyes widened. She poured herself some more tea, clucking her tongue. “So it’s not just women who find themselves subject to his perversities.”

Beka passed Mirelle’s empty plate to Tavaat. “Oh, in fact he’s got a whole story about gryphons that you’ve just got to hear!”

“Now there’s something to add to my list of things never to ask for.” Mirelle stood up and picked up her mug. “I’m afraid I’d best go wake him before the morning wears on. I’ve got a lot to do and I need to go get him measured.”

“Measured for what?” Beka leaned across the counter.

“A safety harness. And a chastity belt, if he can’t learn to keep his paws to himself.”

Beka giggled, shaking her head. “The paws aren’t where those things go, Mirelle. Wait, did you say a safety harness? Oooh, does that mean you’re going to go flying?”

Mirelle cringed. Her stomach flip-flopped and dropped into her damp boots just thinking about it. She forced herself to swallow back a rising hint of nausea. “Unfortunately…yes. But there’s no way in hell I’m dangling from his paws this time.”

“Oooh, you’re going to ride him? How exciting!”

Mirelle gulped again, shuddering. “I hope for his sake it’s not exciting. Or he’s going to end up with vomit all over his scales.”