Free Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa by JG Cully Page B

her frown deepening.  “Why did you skip off, huh?”
     
    Alyssa decided
that maybe having Gretna on her side was a good idea too, and it was a good
excuse to introduce Katy.  She quickly outlined what had happened to Gretna as
well, also indicating how Katy the barmaid was helping ( “She's very
helpful.  And a very good Barmaid as well!  Who's looking for employment don't
you know?” ).  She was particularly proud of the fact that her explanation
required the minimum of lying to her new best friend and current employer.
    “You?  A
vampire!” Gretna chuckled once the story was done.  “Girl you're far too
young!”
    Alyssa opened
her mouth to correct Gretna and then very sensibly closed it again.
    “But then again
the Council of Peace are bloody stupid.” Gretna nodded forcefully at her own
assessment.  “And I'm not having my prized barmaid carted off or killed heavens
forbid!  We'll set them straight!”
    As it happened,
Gretna had her own particular addition to the plan to ensure Alyssa's innocence
was accepted.  She quickly outlined it to the two of them and the three of them
slipped back inside to set to work.
     
    * * * * *
     
    “That...” began
Malak, looking at the plate that the orc barman had just set in front of
Victoria. 
    “...is one hell
of a steak.”
    Victoria was
forced to agree.  It was a very big steak; far bigger than she had expected.
    “Is this right?”
she said tentatively, looking up at the towering orc with a raised eyebrow.  “I
think I ordered the medium sized steak.”
    And this is
definitely not a medium sized steak.
    The orc shrugged
his huge shoulders.  “That's what i's was given.” he said, forming the words
slowly.  “The miss said 'get the good stuff for them you great oaf and stop
looking down my top'.  Said that we ought to reward them whose serves the
Council of Peace for their fine work in keeping the peace, cause we is dead
grateful.”
    Victoria frowned
but there wasn't anything she could say.
    It would be a
criminal waste of food to send it back and probably very rude to refuse such a
gesture of thanks from the locals.  As far as she was concerned the Council of
Peace were relatively well regarded and gestures such as these were not
uncommon. It was just that gestures of this size were rare.  Refusal was not an
option; it would be rude to refuse.  Added to that, food was expensive in these
post-war days, and despite its mass, it did look delicious.  Victoria just
wasn't sure she could finish it.  She doubted even a Fey could finish what had
been set in front of her, and it was said that those weird, winged humanoids
had hollow legs.
    She didn't have
hollow legs.
    “Well, ah,”
Victoria found herself lost for words for once.  “please convey our...thanks.”
    The orc nodded
and wondered off, leaving Victoria staring at her breakfast, lunch and tea
rolled into one.
    “I've never seen
that expression before.” said Malak, studying his colleague.
    “That's because
this is my scared expression Malak.” replied Victoria, blinking at the steaming
pile of cooked meat in front of her that was taking up most of the large plate
it sat on.
    “Proper scared
of that aren't you?” Malak, nodded toward the plate.
    Victoria nodded
slowly. “Oh Gods, yes.”
     
    “Well, don't
worry.” he began, his expression thoughtful.  “I mean, I didn't order much so
I'm sure I can give you a hand with...”
    His
encouragement was cut short when a plate of cooked goose was set in front of
him with a dull thud.  Complete with extra potatoes and veg.  This instead of
the small order of chicken wings he had expected.
    Now they both
stared with mute shock.
    “Well.” Malak remarked. 
“We're just proper blessed tonight aren't we?”
    Victoria nodded
again solemnly.  With a distinct lack of confidence she picked up her knife and
fork.
    “Good luck” she
said.
    They both dug
in, not knowing whether they would survive the experience.
     
    * * * *