rone | e&tg 20

I turned around to find Gialarçi giving me a resigned look, but with a smile. Her chestnut-colored wavy hair was tied back, which let her show off a slight dusting of freckles that stretched almost from ear to ear. She was wearing a short leather jacket over a plain linen blouse, and a long blue skirt (i had to lean over the bar and crane my neck to see just how far down it went).

"Only a woman as charming and beautiful as you could get away with calling me 'Ele'. And, really, wasn't he a little young to be drinking in here?"

"Yes, he wasn't. If he can pay, he can drink, as far as i'm concerned. And you didn't answer my question, you awful man."

I raised my hands. "Forsooth, milady, thou dost tolerate my ill whim on account of my grace and ruggedness."

She rolled her eyes. "Forsooth, Mwaele, you're such a bard wannabe." I laughed and had more beer. "To answer my own question, i put up with your antics because we're old friends, because you have good taste, and most importantly, because you pay your tab on time."

"Oh, er, yeah." I frowned and stared at my beer. "I can't pay you right now. I'm practically broke and that trollspawn Hopsfield won't pay me for the job i just did because i came back almost empty-handed and the asshole mage we were sent to kill offed himself."

She sighed. "Oh, well, at least Hosea will cheer up after he throws you out." I looked up, alarmed. She giggled and put a hand on my arm. "Kidding, you dummy. Is the Stinker going to take care of your work problems?"

I drained my flagon. "If he can't do it, i'm fucked." I aimed vaguely at the top shelf. "Gimme something peaty, Giali."

She raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you already look a bit wobbly. That stuff will put you down."

I frowned. "C'mon, you're not my mama, and i've been waiting for weeks. Next time i go out, i swear i'll bring some along with me..."

She sighed and shook her head. "Customer's always right, even a mouthy, non-paying customer who's clearly too tired to hold his liquor." She set down a glazed ceramic tumbler and poured some spirits out of a jug. I took a sip.