Free To Whatever End (Echoes of Imara Book 1) by Claire Frank

more like family than mere friends. Daro sat down, leaning back in his chair. It was good to see the companions again.
    There were others who wouldn’t be joining them for their annual gathering. Merrick hated the city more than Daro, preferring the solitude of his cabin in the woods outside the city. He and Cecily would pay him a visit on their way home. Rogan was king now. He had more important things to attend to than a gathering of friends at an inn. And Daro wasn’t sure they could find an establishment large enough for his retinue of guards. There were others as well, those buried and gone, who had given their lives in the struggle against Hadran.
    When everyone had settled into their chairs, their mugs and goblets refilled, Griff rose, mug in hand. “A toast to our king. To His Majesty, King Rogan!”
    Everyone raised their glass in agreement. “To the king!”
    Griff remained standing. “And to us. May we all live long and happy lives, free of the misery of war.”
    “Hear, hear!” came the reply. Daro lifted his mug and drank a heavy swig of dark ale. He could drink to that wholeheartedly.
    The innkeeper and several serving girls brought out platters of steaming food. Daro dug in, filling his plate with a pile of tender pork ribs doused in a thick honey sauce, roast pheasant with herbs, and a chunk of soft brown bread. The sweet smell of the honey sauce and the juice of the roasted meat made his mouth water. As he bit into a piece of pheasant, the skin crackled and juice ran down his chin.
    A serving girl leaned across the table and filled several mugs from a thick ceramic jug. She wore a long bright yellow dress that laced up the front over a short-sleeved blouse, with a clean beige apron tied at her waist, her cleaning rag tucked into the band. Callum caught Daro’s eye and gave him a quick wink. He flicked the hair from his eyes and held out a coin between the tips of his two fingers. “Keep ‘em coming, darling.” She smiled and took the coin, turning to walk back toward the kitchen.
    Callum’s mouth curled up in a crooked smile as he held up her cleaning rag. Daro smiled over his food and glanced up at the girl. She stopped, patted her hip, and looked over her shoulder. Callum held his arm out, the rag hanging from his upturned hand. Her brows drew down as she walked back and snatched the rag from his grip.
    “You seemed to have dropped this,” he said as he looked up over his shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at him and started to turn away, but he stopped her, laying a hand on her arm. “Careful, darling, you seem to be missing something,” he said and handed her back the coin.
    Her mouth opened as she plucked it from his fingers. “How did you do that?” she asked. The conversations around the table quieted as their heads turned to look at Callum and the girl. Daro took another bite of pheasant.
    “You really should be careful with your money,” Callum said. He pushed his chair back and stood up with a smile. “There are a lot of unscrupulous folk who might take advantage.” He lightly touched her hand, placing it palm up, and closed her fingers around the coin. He laid his hand on top of her fist. “I wouldn’t want you to lose any of your hard-earned reward.” He flicked the fingers of his other hand and another coin appeared, held between two fingers. The serving girl’s eyebrows rose, and she smiled.
    “I just want to be certain my friends and I have a pleasant evening. I find the best way to do that,” he said as he closed his hand, flipping it open again and showing his empty palm, “is to keep the ale flowing.” He smiled and lifted his hand off of hers. She opened it to find two coins, clinking together in the palm of her hand. “Don’t worry, darling, I’m just having some fun with you.”
    She laughed and shook her head as she clasped the two coins. “Have a seat, sir. I’ll be back to fill your mugs.”
    Daro chuckled to himself as he filled his plate with more food.