A Fool of Sorts by Taylor O'Connell

Author:Taylor O'Connell [O'Connell, Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578559612
Publisher: Taylor O'Connell Books
Published: 2019-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

“You’re drunk,” Lilliana said, a look of disgust on her face.

“I—well, yeah,” Sal admitted. “I might be a tick flush, but I have good reason, and—”

“You can save your reasons. I’m not interested.”

“Ah, but it involves a magic dwarf, a dragon, and a distressed maiden in a high tower. You’re certain you don’t have a moment to spare?”

Lilliana smiled despite herself. “But I have heard this story more times than I can count on my little fingers and toes,” Lilliana said playfully. “Doubtless, you slew the dragon, outwitted the dwarf, and kissed the maiden.”

“Kissed? The maiden? Bah!” Sal pretended to spit. “Clearly you are a bit confused about the details, nay, lass, I did not kiss the maiden. No, her, I outwitted. But the magical dwarf, well, he was far too clever for the likes of me. Him, I slew. Oh, don’t look at me like that, magical dwarfs are much easier to kill than they are to outwit. And you see, that’s my tale, outwitted a maiden and slew a dwarf. Naturally, after such an affair, an ale was required to wash away the memory of my slaying and my missed opportunity to kiss a beautiful woman.”

Lilliana looked unperturbed, yet she pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “You, Salvatori, are a jackanapes.”

Sal winked.

“But what of the dragon?” she asked.

“Pardon?”

“The dragon. You outwitted the maiden, slew the dwarf, and you neglected to mention the dragon.”

“Ah, well, lass, I had hoped I wouldn’t need to tell you, but you see, after a bit of ale I found that dragon wasn’t half bad looking, and I had that kiss left me, and well—must I go on?”

Lilliana hit him playfully.

Sal rubbed at his arm, then winked. “So, tell me, what did you have planned this evenfall?”

“Something unexpected,” Lilliana said with a sly smile. “You recall what we spoke of that day in East Market? About the tariffs and what I’ve been doing.”

“I do, and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get any more information about the shipments. That contact I told you about didn’t know anything. Although, I did learn a good number of the free-trader shipments from all over Naidia are getting purchased by the monks of Knöldrus Abbey.”

“The abbey?” Lilliana said in surprise. “And how is it you know this?”

“I did some asking around. I even got to take a peek at the abbey quartermaster’s ledger. Seems the monks of Knöldrus are responsible for purchasing eight of every ten free-trader ships out of Shiikal.”

“Eight of ten, truly?” Lilliana asked incredulous. “And you’re suggesting the abbey is supplying the trade of skeev and bliss?”

Sal laughed. “I don’t see how you’ve made that connection.”

“Simple really, we know the skeev and the bliss are coming in from Shiikal. You said the abbey is buying out the contracts on eight of every ten free-traders out of Naidia. Therefore, it would seem you have suggested Knöldrus Abbey is supplying the city’s drug trade.”

Sal smiled his most patronizing smile. “I see. But I wouldn’t implicate the entire abbey, mayhap, a monk or two.

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