Page 101 of Spar of Hearts

The Kobold ignored her, keeping its yellow dragon-like eyes trained on Roderick.

“No thank you,” Roderick answered. He wasn’t sure if it was offering to sell him jewels to give to Anya, or offering to trade jewels for Anya. Either way, the answer was the same.

“Jewels for the lady?” Another Kobold scrambled to his other side, presenting a clawful of polished emeralds. It walked like a toddler, with wide, clumsy steps.

“No, we’re fine, thank you.”

“Mordecai!” one of the human-like folk shouted, waving a hand. A tan wolf ran between Anya and Roderick, sending the Kobolds scrambling. The wolf ran toward the man, then a flash of light engulfed him. Roderick stepped in front of Anya, sure she was about to get an unexpected eyeful—but the being emerged fully clothed as he embraced the man that called for him.

Wow. I want whatever he has, Anya said, jaws wide and panting. And a bath. And something to eat.

Roderick stopped in his tracks.

“Money.”

Yes, genius, people often trade coins for goods and services.

“I don’t have any on me. And I’m afraid to ask where you might have some hidden.”

Anya whacked him with her tail. If you have time for jokes, you have time to think. How do you propose we get some?

“An earl and a princess without a coin between them. Aren’t we a joke. Hm…”

Water plopped onto his shoulder. His gaze drew up at a net packed with writhing fish levitating overhead.

“I have an idea. But you’re not going to like it.”

Chapter 34

Anya Delemond

Fish. Fish, fish, fish, fish, fish, fish, fish.

Anya’s senses were overloaded with fish guts, decaying plant matter, and dank water. The river rushed through the squirming net, trying its best to drag the fish back into its clutches.

“Let’s do it on three,” Roderick said, breathing hard. Anya nodded and took the leather strap on the net into her jaws.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!”

Anya growled and tugged on the leather strap attached to the fish net. It was fun at first, like a game of tug of war. But after sixteen nets, she was over it. In tandem, they heaved the net with ease, dragging the wriggling mass of trout onto the dock.

“Fantastik,” their employer called. Juniper, an Elven sailor, hopped down from her perch on the side of the boat. “Now I do not have to get dirty for my date tonight. You two may be odd, but you really saved my hide.” She dropped a handful of copper coins into Roderick’s palm. The woman had spent half the time grilling them about their strange accents.

Roderick nodded. “We appreciate the work. Say, do you know of a good inn around here?”

Juniper’s mouth twisted as she thought, scratching her ram-like horns. “Nay. The Ole Ridgetop is closed for remodeling. Though the outfitter’s open, since a lot of folk travel to see family this time of year. What with the pass opening up and all.”

“The pass?” Roderick repeated, shoving the coins in his pocket.

“The one that leads to Solenergi.” Juniper squinted at them. Anya stared back.

“Solenergi?” Juniper waved her hands around, drawing a castle in the air with a thin stream of blue magic.

Is that a castle? Anya cocked her head.