Her Melting Point

Romantasy AU Teaser

If you already miss Jackie and Alexander, and if you read cosy romantasy - this story might be just your cup of tea! 

Nottoofar || Book 1: Leaf & Paw (complete)

Nottoofar || Book 1: Dagger & Fist (ongoing)

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COMING SOON!

Nottoofar || Book 3: Ring & Shield

Chapter 1. Re-Introduction

Decisively, that was the last time Jack was hiring an off-guild mercenary! She cursed her frugal Halfling nature and edged toward the backdoor of the inn's common room. The chances of Goblins with the Lower West crest being her former husband's goons, were low - but never nil. And there were five of them currently ordering mead and venison at the bar.

Jack slipped into the court behind the inn and glanced around. Where's that slacker, for Spirits' sake? She'd told him not to wander off!

"Looking for your fellow, lassy?" a Dwarf who was sitting under a roof, smoking, asked.

Jack gave him a forced smile.

"Aye, he's somewhere around, I reckon," she said. "Tall one, from the East of the Crack; one of them beastfolk. Have you seen him?"

The Dwarf pulled his long pipe and pointed with the mouthpiece. Jack stared at the stone wall surrounding the yard, in confusion.

"The Bowl, lassie," the Dwarf said with a chuckle.

That helped little - and then she saw a trapdoor, probably leading to a cellar.

The Dwarf barked a derisive chortle. "Is he betting your hope chest silver there?"

Jack sighed and headed to what she now understood was an underground fighting ring.

***

One couldn't tell by her cosy, chubby countenance, but she'd visited quite a few of such establishments in her life. This one was just as pongy, stuffy, and noisy as any other of the 'milling panneys' she'd been to - packed to the rafters, filled with smoke, drunk rowdy voices bouncing from wall to wall.

The gatekeeper stepped in front of her, and his only remaining bloodshot eye glared at her.

"Who's duffing tonight, gaffer?" she asked and patted the silver pouch on her belt.

The clink of the coins was an illusion spell; there were walnut shells inside. The bouncer, probably a half-Troll, gave her a long studying glance over.

"Buggcove and some blow-in," he grumbled and stomped away.

Jack released a tense breath she'd been holding and went in search of her overpriced sword-for-hire.

The crowd seemed in anticipation, everyone's eyes were on the ring; and Jack wove her way among the punters, dollymops, and oglers. The snippets of the conversations she caught told her that said Buggcove was the local champion, a 'hammerer.' The challenger was a newcomer from the North - and it seemed no one expected him to last longer than it took the thirstiest of drunkards to chug down a pint.

"Oi, missy, what's your rush?" A Dwarf grabbed her upper arm and spun her, ducking low to see her face under the hood. "A Halfling, aye? Haven't seen your kind in these lands for a while."

Jack clenched her left fist, discreetly gathering her magic in the centre of her palm. The male was broad but short. A rapid burst of her shield would push him away; but she'd rather not start a kerfuffle before she located her companion.