Dungeon Spiteful by Melissa McShane

Author:Melissa McShane [McShane, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, GameLit & LitRPG
Amazon: B0CR7Z7VC6
Publisher: Night Harbor Publishing
Published: 2024-01-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

They had to stop talking once they returned to the busy part of town. Aderyn could imagine the commotion if the wrong person overheard Owen talking about his world. When they returned to the inn, the others hadn’t come back yet, and it was nearly dinnertime. They claimed a table in the gradually filling taproom and sat in companionable silence. One of the things Aderyn liked best about her growing friendship with Owen was how they didn’t need to fill the air with talk to feel comfortable together. Maybe that was because Owen was an otherworlder, or maybe it was because Aderyn never worried about what Owen thought of her, whether he was silently judging her. Or maybe it was none of those things. She was grateful for it anyway.

Isold and Weston returned about twenty minutes later. “What, the spellslinger’s not back yet?” Weston said, dropping heavily into a chair beside Owen. “I say we eat without her.”

“I didn’t think you disliked Livia,” Aderyn said.

“Dislike? I don’t dislike her. She’s the one who disapproves of me.” Weston said this with a grin. “I bet she feels guilty at how she doesn’t rise early, and she turns that into criticizing my habits.”

“I don’t think you’re right,” Isold said. “You take every opportunity to needle her about sleeping late, so if there’s anyone who should feel guilty, it’s you.”

“I refuse to dignify that with a response,” Weston said loftily. “Besides, Moonlighters and Earthbreakers don’t get along. Well-known fact.”

“I’ve never heard that,” Aderyn said.

“It’s true! Earthbreakers are all direct and to the point, and Moonlighters are creatures of misdirection. Definite conflict, built in.”

“Uh-huh,” Aderyn said. She waved at Livia, who’d just entered the taproom and was scanning it. “Go ahead and tell Livia your theory. I bet she makes you eat it.”

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Livia said as she approached. “My parents had guests who wanted to hear about my adventures.”

“It’s fine,” Owen said. “Were they glad to see you? Your parents, I mean?”

“Surprised.” Livia didn’t sound happy. “They weren’t expecting me.”

“Well, we did clear that goblin nest quickly,” Aderyn said.

Livia shook her head. “I mean they weren’t expecting me to succeed at all. I can’t believe my own parents didn’t have faith in my abilities.”

“But you were only level one or two,” Weston said. He looked serious now, with no sign of frivolous humor. “That was quite a feat for someone of that level. Their disbelief doesn’t have to be personal.”

“Don’t defend them,” Livia said. “I’m telling you they didn’t think I was capable, regardless of level or skill.”

“Hey, I’m just pointing out⁠—”

“You can keep your pointing to yourself,” Livia snapped.

“Stop,” Owen said. “You both have the best of intentions and you need to not assume otherwise. That’s not how teams work.”

Livia wiped her eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Weston.”

“I should have taken your side,” Weston said. “It’s not like I even know your parents. They might be awful people.”

“They’re not. They’re just—I don’t know what to call it. I’m the youngest, and I’ve never tried to make anything of myself.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.