“Whatever you call it, cut it out.” Ogsa chucked her dirty rag onto the bar and went to pour more drinks for her other patrons.
Smirking, Bhandi shot Ember a conspiratorial wink. “She really does love us.”
Ember chuckled. “Why? You scare off her customers and don’t even pay for your drinks.”
Tate barked a laugh, his eyes bulging in his head. Bhandi glared at him.
“At this point, Cheyenne might be the only reason that orc lets us in here anymore.” Yurik lifted his tankard and what was left of his grog toward the halfling. “And I’m okay with that.”
Cheyenne returned the toast and drained the rest of her tankard. She studied the dark, empty metal bottom and turned toward Ember. “Moment of truth, Em. No more booze at the table.”
“So fill ‘er up!” Bhandi roared, garnering a fresh round of disgruntled looks from the magicals at the closest tables.
“Maybe another night.” Ember blinked and widened her eyes when she realized she’d drained whatever fae drink had filled the chalice. “Drinking with your mom was one thing. This is like drinking for the first time all over again.”
“Damn.” Bhandi peered at the chalice. “I should’ve ordered one of those instead.”
“Yeah, right.” Tate snapped his fingers and pointed at her. “You couldn’t handle anything made for a fae.”
“You wanna bet? Buy me a drink in one of those fancy cups, troll breath. I’ll knock you flat on your ass.”
“Not from the floor, you won’t.”
Ember’s head wobbled, and she shook her head. “I’m ready to go. I gotta build up a tolerance, apparently.”
Cheyenne snorted and stood. “Fair enough.”
Yurik pulled his phone from his pocket to check the time, and his eyes widened. “Shit, it’s nine-thirty. How did we stay down here so long without anyone trying to pick a fight with the drow?”
“Very funny.”
“All right. Come on.” Pushing to his feet, Yurik nodded at his fellow agents. “We’re gonna blow this joint too.”
“At nine-thirty?” Bhandi stretched her legs out under the table and folded her arms. “Without a barfight?”
“Yeah. I gotta report to some damn eval at the ass-crack of dawn.”
“I don’t need you to drive me back.” The troll woman’s eyelids drooped.
“Sure. Good luck finding an Uber driver willing to deal with your ass. Good luck finding anyone who can drive you onto the base.” Yurik cast the bar a sideways glance. “So, if you want a ride, better get up now. I’m tryin’ to make it out of here before Ogsa starts badgering me for payment.”
Tate stood and peered into all the empty tankards in disappointment. “She always badgers you.”
“Yeah, but I told her I’d have her money next time. If she doesn’t see us leave, maybe she’ll forget.”
“She’s not gonna forget.” With a groan, Bhandi stood and pointed at Cheyenne. “Especially not when we’re walkin’ outta here with a drow and her fae friend. Might as well shout about it instead.” The troll cupped her hands around her mouth and leaned so far back, she should have fallen over. “Pay attention, chumps! We have friends!”
The garbled drone of dozens of conversations dipped at Bhandi’s shout, and heads turned to eye the drunk troll woman screaming for attention. Yurik rolled his eyes and stepped away from the table. Tate had already made his way halfway across the bar, and Ember took her cue from them before wheeling down the center aisle.
“Hey!” Ogsa shouted.
Yurik spun with wide eyes, but when he realized the tavern owner wasn’t talking to him, he snuck through the crowd and headed for the door.
“You like your drink?”
Ember shot Cheyenne a confused look, then waved at the orc woman behind the bar. “Yeah, it was strong. Thanks.”
“Ha.” Ogsa smacked the bar, a thin mist of spit flying from between her protruding tusks. “You come back any time. There’s plenty more where that came from. Gets stronger, the more you let it sit.”
“Awesome.” Ember bobbed her head and pushed herself down what was left of the aisle now that the Empty Barrel had gotten so busy.
Cheyenne stuck her hands in her pockets and followed her friend, occasionally staring down the other patrons. Doesn’t look like anyone wants to test their luck tonight. Guess I left the right impression last time.
Tate held the door open for them, his eyes widening when Ember didn’t slow down as she approached the steps. “Hey, you need any help?”
The wheels and the fae’s hands pulsed with a cloud of violet light as she raced out of the tavern door. Her magic hovered her over the steps and set her gently down on the uneven stone of the marketplace.
“Of course you don’t need help.” Tate chuckled as he kept the door open for Cheyenne. “Why would I even ask?”
Ember lifted her hands from the wheels and grinned over her shoulder at him. “Doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it. I can’t pull these tricks up there whenever I want.”
They all glanced at the expansive tunnel ceiling yards above them. Tate shrugged. “True. Kinda nice to get out in public without wondering who’s gonna piss their pants when they see your real face or a few flashing spells and shit, huh?”
“Definitely refreshing.” Ember took a sharp breath and yawned. “We need to get going before I have to ask my trusty assistant for her expertise, namely pushing.”
As Ember turned her wheelchair toward the elevator at the far end of Peridosh, Tate caught Cheyenne’s gaze to mouth, “Trusty assistant?”
Chuckling, the halfling shrugged. I guess tipsy Ember thinks I work for her too.
The door to the Empty Barrel flew open with a bang, and Bhandi stumbled out into the crowded avenue. She turned and shot the middle finger at someone inside. “Screw you too, fishface! Yeah, take your fancy glass eye and shove it up your ass. You might like the view.” With another belch, the troll woman jumped off the last step and spread her arms as the door swung shut behind her. “What gives, huh? None of you toolbags wanna hold the door
