Free Tribe of the Snow Tiger (Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz

gravelly voice. He leans forward to examine Fizzle, the drite politely waving with his tail. “I won’t put the dragon to work since I’m not stupid enough to bark orders at one of his kind. You two are a different story. Mr. Cunningham, I want you to put your belongings in the crew quarters and help out with the morning’s heavy labor. I’m sure a warrior like yourself won’t have any problems with a little sweat. Though I’ve also been told you’re a decent cook, so maybe I’ll put in the kitchen for our first day out and see what you can do. I lost my last cook to another captain who had the gall to propose to her. I’d have clocked him in the jaw if he wasn’t my new son-in-law.”
    “I’ll help wherever you need me,” Delvin promises, raising his hand for a salute. The old sailor chuckles and forces the other man’s arm down. “Sorry about that, sir. Force of habit when I’m taking orders. My friend here is part naiad, so she can help with the tides and anything else that can make us move swiftly.”
    Sari clears her throat and bows with her arms across her chest, a gesture she hopes is accepted as respectful. “I can see that the captain already has two Waverunner halflings on board, so he doesn’t need me for those jobs. His real worry is that an attractive gypsy will be a source of distraction or trouble. I swear on Cessia the Luck Goddess that I will be on my best behavior. This journey is much too important for me to jeopardize it by having fun with your crew.”
    “That’s a concern, but I’ve been assured that you will be kept occupied,” the hairy man states, nodding to someone who is approaching from the city. “We’re escorting the Little Sister’s new owner back home and dropping you off along the way. You’ve been assigned to cater to this noble’s needs and wants. Basically, you’re a servant for the duration of your voyage. She promises to keep you busy and out of trouble. Though the young lady was grinning and laughing when she said it.”
    “She?” Sari asks as the gypsy turns to face the source of the slender shadow that has appeared between her and Delvin. The young woman’s heart sinks for a second before she angrily glares at the familiar figure. “Damn you, Gabriel! Find another mortal to mess with and leave me alone.”
    Clothed in a billowing dress of amber fabric that hangs heavy around the skirt, Kira Grasdon gives the shocked gypsy a hug. Her black hair falls down to her waist, a blazing streak of red running down the center and continuing along her exposed back. The bronze-skinned woman releases Sari and gives Delvin a friendly kiss on the cheek before extending an arm so that Fizzle can perch on her wrist. The drite delicately climbs to her shoulder, not wanting to damage the heiress’s gold and diamond bracelet. Kira nods to Captain Erovayn, who goes back to the ship and barks a steady stream of orders to his crew. With a wide smile, she enjoys the open-mouthed expression on Sari’s face and the way her the gypsy’s hands move as if to draw the daggers hidden in her sleeves.
    “Nyx asked me if any of my ships were close enough to give you a ride,” Kira says, drawing an apple from her ivory-colored purse and handing it to Fizzle. His first bite sends a glob of juice onto her cheek, which she delicately wipes away with an embroidered handkerchief. “I was in Hero’s Gate, but it was easy to travel back here and lend a hand. Glad to see you kept your promise, Delvin, and didn’t warn her about the surprise. I do enjoy making my old rival uncomfortable.”
    “I’m not your rival any more, Grasdon,” Sari states, flicking a small ball of ice at her fellow champion’s head. Delvin leans away from the tiny projectile and hurries toward the Little Sister, but he is knocked off the gangplank when an unexpected surge rocks the ship. “Since we need the ride, I’ll be nice and act like a proper servant. Though I will get revenge for any humiliation you