Chapter 20 #2
“My people can build composting toilets. Electricity is not something we have lost, but I understand the convenience and how those who are used to it will miss it. But if you only have to worry about one thing instead of three, is that not an improvement? We are working to get my people out of your rec center.”
“Your houses—”
“Those that survived the collapse have stood for decades or centuries. They are being repaired under the supervision of skilled crafts people. My elvish carpenter has a hundred years of experience. Do any of yours?” Feryn’s eyes flashed with a sheen of red so fast Noah thought he imagined it.
Pan lifted his hand. “We have lost the point of this conversation, again, because there is so much to talk about. Perhaps it would be best to arrange a meeting with the council. So our council and yours can reach some kind of agreement?”
Mr. Roberts looked as though he’d rather eat glass. “I can raise it, but we are very busy.”
“Aren’t we all?” Feryn said dryly.
“Look, you can have your party. The rest—”
“It’s not a party. It’s a memorial for the loss of our world and our friends and family.
It is the humans who dress up like monsters and party.
” Feryn tucked a lock of hair behind his ear so there was no hiding his loss of looks.
Even though Noah didn’t flinch, his stomach filled with ice at the sight.
“Okay, so that’s a yes to the memorial, and to having a plumber come out and look at connecting the palace to the pub,” Noah said, moving everyone on.
“We are working on the dragon situation but can’t promise anything because it is like trying to convince extremely smart wild animals that this is not the best place for them when they are convinced that it is the best place for them.
But I’m sure if you have a really good idea about relocating them, you will let us know.
In the meantime, we will keep trying, which is all anyone can do in this situation.
” Noah gave Mr. Roberts a wide smile, then glanced at Nan, who nodded her agreement.
Pan realized what was going on and also gave a happy smile that bordered on maniacal. Feryn gave the council worker a thin, closed lipped smile, which was better than the one with fangs.
Mr. Roberts glanced at his papers. “Um, yes. We have agreed on those issues, and with regards to the dragons, that does seem reasonable. If the council would like to meet, who shall I contact?”
“You can send it to me,” Nan said. “You have my email and phone number.”
Mr Roberts nodded. “So you are the vampire’s representative?”
Nan laughed and shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m…assisting with admin. Silas is the mythological representative.”
Mr. Roberts’ eyebrows knitted together as he looked at Pan. Noah read his thoughts in his expression. If he assumed Pan was mytho, was that offensive if he was human? Or was it more offensive to assume he was human when he was mytho?
“Do you have a phone, Silas?”
“Yes. Would you like my number?” Pan’s grin became less forced.
“Yes, thank you.”
Pan recited it, and Mr. Roberts wrote it down. “Okay, thank you for your time. I’ll be in touch with someone about…” He frowned. “That is… I’ll send you an official email about the… Samhain.”
“Excellent. Let me walk you out. Would you like to stick your head out the back and see the dragons? They really are amazing.” Nan hooked her arm through Mr. Roberts’ and led him toward the back.
Noah was sure the only reason Mr. Roberts didn’t push her away was because shoving a seventy-year-old woman was not a good look. Nan had found most people were equally curious and fearful of the dragons, so letting them see them up close was a good thing.
“That could’ve gone better,” Pan said.
“The human authorities are unreasonable and money hungry. Honestly, I’ve had better negotiations with the bloody centaurs.” Feryn stalked around the bar and poured himself a drink of water. “Charging for water. Have you ever heard of something so unreasonable?”
To Noah, that was normal. “That’s common practice even in the country I’m from.”
“Next, they will be charging us for air, or to use magic! The nerve.” Feryn downed the water and set the glass down.
“Don’t give them any ideas,” Pan said.
“Look, it wasn’t all bad. Samhain is approved, and maybe you can meet with the local council.
We have already shown them that we can assist with dragon deliveries.
And as they do the math on how long it’s going to take to fix things on their own, they will want help and then your people will get paid. ”
Nan walked back into the bar on her own, and Noah’s eyes widen. “You didn’t let the dragons eat him?”
“I thought about it, but I don’t want to upset the dragons’ digestive system. He’s a real stickler for the rules, always has been. That is his best and worst quality.”
Feryn snorted.
“I think we all deserve a little drink.” Nan poured four little shots of whiskey. She lifted her glass. “Would you like to make a toast?”
Feryn’s eyes narrowed. “You do not mean cooked bread.”
“I do not.” Nan smiled.
“Let’s pray the New Year brings more joy and less admin.” Feryn tapped his glass to Nan’s, and Noah and Pan joined in before downing the whiskey in a swallow.
Noah shuddered and pulled a face as he set the glass down.
Feryn sighed. “We should talk about the cost of this water, as I do not want to be in your debt.”
“It’s fine until everything shakes down,” Nan said.
“I found the palace vault. I have gold…though I do not know how much it is worth here.”
“Gold?” Noah stared at Feryn. “As in a few gold rings or coins or lots of gold?”
Feryn tipped his head and stared at him. “Does it matter the shape if it can all be melted down?”
His fangs were gone, and Noah did not want to piss him off again. “No…I was just thinking of security and how you probably don’t want word to get out that you have gold in there. People might try to steal it.”
“Humans might try to steal it.”
“You didn’t have thieves on Tariko?”
Feryn laughed.
“Of course we did,” Pan said. “Ask Nate about what happens to thieves.”
Noah had heard Nate’s story of being caught stealing and sentenced to a year and a day of working for Rohan to pay back his debt. Hooking up with Rohan had been an unexpected bonus. The way his eyes lit up when he talked about his minotaur husband made Noah a little bit envious.
“I heard.” He pulled out his phone to look up the price of gold.
“Humans wouldn’t know where to look in the palace. Not only that, but if they enter without permission, they will be killed.”
“Let’s try not to kill anyone,” Nan said. “That’s not going to progress things.”
“Neither will stealing,” Feryn grumbled.
Nan poured him another drink. “It’s not only what the gold is worth; it’s finding someone who will buy it. Banks might, so we could weigh a few gold coins or rings and give you an approximate price. But it also depends on the quality of the gold.”
Feryn rolled his eyes. “Different world, same thing. I will have coins and scales brought over.”
Nan glanced at Noah. “I think you’ll find our scales and measurements are different.”
Feryn sighed and accepted the shot of whiskey. “Of course they are.”
“Why don’t I see if I can get a quote from a plumber before you start counting coins?”
“Perhaps we should attempt to complete one task at a time.” Pan held out his glass for another shot of whiskey, and Nan obliged. “And at the moment, giving our people a Samhain celebration is that one task.”