Tess rolled the ladder towards one particular cabinet. It was located in the top row. The cabinet door was painted with golden suns and white moons. Ayla held the ladder as Tess quickly climbed up. When she was at the top, she opened the cabinet and looked down, “Okay! Catch!”

  Ayla stepped from the ladder and held out her arms as Tess pulled out an empty basket. Ayla caught it and set it down by her feet. Tess pulled on a little knob, just under the cupboard and revealed a wooden tray that spanned the length of the open space.

  “Oh,” said Ayla. “I saw those earlier but wasn’t sure what they were for.”

  “For this,” said Tess, effortlessly hopping off the ladder and onto the tray. Ayla was shocked to see her in action, and even more surprised to see the tray hold her. Tess leaned into the cupboard, crawling on her hands and knees. She disappeared into cupboards shadow.

  Wait, thought Ayla, how far does that go in?

  Suddenly, a bulging quilted comforter fell out of the cabinet. It spread out like a net, capturing Ayla like a fish. She pulled the comforter off her head to find Tess peaking over the tray, giggling.

  “I caught you,” she said. “Fold that up! There’s more.”

  Ayla smiled, folding the comforter and shoving it into the basket. This time, she got a warning.

  “Look out below!” said Tess. Ayla’s eyes darted up and Tess dropped a series of tightly folded sheets. Ayla caught each one, placing them in the basket.

  “None of these sheets match,” said Ayla.

  Tess’s voice, somewhat muffled, came from the cabinet, “Yeah! A lot of them were picked up from sales around the kingdom, or maybe a customer left them behind once, you know how it goes.” Tess returned and dropped four pillows. Like the eclectic pile of sheets, each pillow case was different color. Some of them had patches, some of them needed patches, but they all smelled wonderfully like springtime flowers.

  Tess crawled out of the cabinet and onto the ladder. She was incredibly nimble. She closed the cabinet, pushed the tray in, and climbed down the ladder.

  She hopped off a few steps above the floor, landing with her hands on her waist, grinning wide. “Okay, let’s change some sheets.” She handed Ayla the pillows and picked up the basket. They strolled across the tavern main and up the stairs. At one point, the railing was smooth, featuring intricately designed creatures like griffins and leviathans. Now they looked like smudgy blobs, chipped and cracked from sword falls and other bar-brawling shenanigans.

  They reached the top, and Ayla was taken in by the view. The size of the tavern was just as impressive here as it was below, and even cozier with the elevated heat, the red carpet and the small sitting area on the end of the balcony. She discovered even more trophies, tucked behind or between the larger ones. She found severed skeleton hands, ancient jewelry and wavy daggers.

  “Cara’s on the end, so we’ll just change out the bedding in these two. The other rooms haven’t been used yet so it’s an easy day!” Tess led Ayla inside the first room. It was a homey space with a large bed in the center, a small water basin in the corner with a white pitcher on the floor below, and a large chest to hold weapons, armor, clothes and such. The room was lit by an old-fashioned candelabra sporting five dancing flames. The walls were burgundy, though the paint was faded.

  Tess yanked off the top quilt. Ayla followed her lead, and rolled back the dirty sheets.

  “So, tell me about Scarlet?”

  Tess shrugged, “Not much to say really. She was here for about a month. Kinda drove Fraz crazy, but I liked her. Was just starting to get to know her, but I guess this place wasn’t for her.”

  Tess bundled the sheets into a soft, comfy ball and set them in a corner. Together, Ayla and Tess spread out the new sheets, tucking them under the mattress.

  “Fraz has hired all kinds of people,” said Tess. “I was just hoping she’d be one to stick around is all.”

  Ayla nodded, sensing frustration in her words. “I can’t stop thinking about that crazy cupboard,” she said. “It looked like you disappeared. How deep does it go?”

  Tess tightened her green gloves, and then flattened out the wrinkles. “It’s a magical cabinet,” she said. “The owner before had it installed by some wizard named Stormvelix. He has a little plaque at the bottom with his name on it. Fraz even met the guy once! I guess he had real talent when it came to ever-wide spaces.” She placed her finger on her chin, contemplating. “I think he might have made our portal too, but I can’t quite remember.”

  Amazed by the idea, Ayla wondered what else those cupboards might hold. Especially the locked ones! After spreading out the quilt, they placed two fresh pillows on the bed and fluffed them as best as they could. Tess retrieved the bundle of dirty sheets and Ayla picked up the basket. The first room was finished.

  Tess left the dirty sheets on the balcony as they entered the second room. It was a little larger than the first. The bed was smaller, however it contained a similar water basin and chest. Rather than white, this pitcher was ocean blue. It also had a longer spout.

  Ayla pulled the comforter and sheets off this time. She bunched them up and set them by the door. Tess tossed the sheets across the bed. They quickly tucked the corners, pressed the wrinkles and laid a clean quilt out. They fluffed the last two pillows and considered the room finished. It was a job well done.

  “Let’s take the dirty sheets to Gabby. She has a friend we’re partnered with.”

  “That’s handy,” said Ayla.

  “You have no idea. Think about everything that happens on these sheets.”

  Ayla burst out laughing, “I really, really don’t need to.”

  They carried the sheets down the steps. When they reached the main floor, Tess spread out one of the sheets and the piled the rest of them on top. She used the corners to wrap them up as one giant clump and tied it off. She carried them across the tavern and Ayla opened the kitchen door for her.

  “Gabby! We have the dirty bedding.”

  Gabby pointed to the back door, “Just leave them there. I’ll let Damaris know in a few.”

  Tess nodded, and then turned to Ayla. “We should head out and pick some sparkcaps.”

  “Let me get my cloak,” said Ayla, “I’ll just be a second!” Ayla hurried off to her room. She unlocked the door, strapped on her belt and sheathed dagger, plucked her cloak off the back of the chair and rushed out. After she locked the door, she jiggled the handle to make sure it was secure. Check!

  When she returned to the kitchen Tess was was already bundling up for the hike. After buttoning her coat, she pulled down her cap and tucked her hair behind her ear as she plopped into an antique chair by the back door. Next to the chair was a giant basket, a few feet in length. On the counter to Tess’s right was a lantern. Ayla crossed the tiled kitchen floor, tying her cloak around her neck. Tess shoved her small feet into comically large boots, and after thoroughly yanking the laces, she made little bows, and then double tied those. Her boots looked like they’d seen the wider world twice over and the shoe laces didn’t match in color or length. Lastly, she removed her forest green gloves and shoved them in her left pocket, reached to the other side, and reveled a pair of black gloves from the right pocket.

  As she wiggled her fingers into the gloves, Ayla saw a vague sweaty shine on Tess’s palms. Tess pushed up the front of her cap. “Ready?” she asked, holding out the lantern, filled with fresh oil and shining brightly.

  “Ready!” said Ayla, taking it. It was nicer than her old lantern, which now laid in the mud deep in the forest. She looked to Gabby, who ran a small knife into a freshly baked loaf of bread. She was checking the for sticky dough. “We’ll be back soon!”

  Gabby pointed to the basket, “Fill the whole basket, okay? Heaping would be bessst!”

  “Can do, Gabby,” sang Tess, spinning around, swooping up the basket and opening the north-side door. Ayla waved to Gabby as she followed Tess out.

  “It’s amazing how cold these woods keep,” said Ayla, closing the door behind her.

  “Yeah,” said Tess, shuffling off the back steps. “Everything is spooky about this place. Nothing is natural here.” As she said that, they were greeted with a chilling fog. The creeping woods lined the north side path. Ayla saw the trail towards the portal anchors and wood shack Fraz had pointed out earlier.

  “We’re going that way,” said Tess, pointing right. With the basket in hand, she pushed on, seemingly fearless of the woods.

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  She’s quite the character, thought Ayla, smiling. She jogged up, making sure she maintained Tess’s pace, keeping by her side.

  “Just a little way down the path, and we’ll turn north,” said Tess. “There’s a clearing up there with loads of sparkcaps!”

  “I came down this path yesterday. I ran into two cannibals, and an undead.”

  Tess nodded, “Yeah, Brangwen’s got a nice collection of degenerates, outlaws and other types that give ya goosebumps!”

  “You aren’t afraid?” she asked, keeping an eye on the slimy path and clawing tree branches. She held the lantern high, making sure the road ahead was well illuminated.

  Tess shook her head, “No, I’ve lived here my whole life.”

  Ayla couldn’t fathom that. She always understood the Blacktail Sierra and the surrounding country to be largely absent of civilization. The stories surrounding the north of Malafane were often horrific. Ayla considered herself lucky to have met the few dangers she did. If one traveled north, they’d surely find worse. If Tess lived here her whole life, are there secret villages? Hidden towns? Or more?

  “So, do you have family here?” she asked.

  Tess looked down, “I don’t, no. My parents left me in the woods. Sort of had to fend for myself in the beginning,” she winked, attempting to mask her real feelings, “but I made it through okay.”

  Ayla turned her attention to the path ahead. “I’m sorry, I was just making small talk.”

  Tess shrugged, “You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re just trying to get to know me because I’m super adorable.”

  Ayla laughed, “You are pretty cute,” she said.

  “We turn here.” Tess stepped left onto a new path. Ayla didn’t see it the night before, probably because the fog was thicker then. Like that first night, small vines attempted to wrap around her ankles, mangled trees arched overhead, looming and hungry, grasping for them with zigzagging branches.

  The light helped keep them back.

  Ayla kept her ears back, alert, listening for any stalking threat. She heard Tess sniff the air.

  “We’re getting closer!”

  As they continued down the path, the fog began to dissipate, revealing a small, lush clearing. While the trees ensured no sunlight would touch this grass, the area was bright. Circling the perimeter of the clearing was a swarm of fireflies. They floated down, landing in the grass, on twigs and mushrooms, only to fly up again, forming an entrancing spiral of light. The clearing was filled with them, so much so that the lantern had little purpose.

  “They’re beautiful,” said Ayla.

  “There’s a bright side to everything,” said Tess. “Even in these woods!” She walked towards the center of the clearing and dropped the basket. She crouched, tucking her dress against the backside of her legs. She reached down and carefully plucked a mushroom from the earth. The surface underneath the mushroom flashed as a small ring of soft yellow light rippled and faded in the grass.

  “What was that?” asked Ayla. She hurried over and crouched beside Tess.

  “Sparkcaps. When you pull them up, they let out a little light. Something to do with chemicals and their roots, I don’t know. I just think it’s pretty.” She nibbled at the mushroom cap. “They’re really tasty too!” She held it out for Ayla.

  “Why not,” said Ayla. She took a small bite, focusing on the taste. It was meatier than she expected, and just as earthy. It was also sweet. Not sugary, like a candy, but hinting in that direction. “These are really good!” she said.

  “Yeah they are!” said Tess. “Gabby makes the best little dish too. These mushrooms, right? She soaks them in melted butter and then fries them in a light batter and sprinkles them with powdered sugar, but not too much! They’re sweet enough as is.” She crawled forward in the grass, picking more of the mushrooms. She started to fill the basket.

  Ayla stood up, “I’ll gather some over here,” she said as she walked the perimeter. Part of her wanted to explore the clearing, the other part wanted to keep an ear on the woods. She gripped her cloak and started to fill it with sparkcaps. With each pick, a little ring of light rippled across the grass. The light was dazzling, but short lived. Sometimes a firefly would circle around the ring of light as it faded out.

  The clearing was plentiful. It wasn’t long before her cloak was filled with mushrooms. She met Tess in the center and dropped them in the basket. The mushrooms were quickly piling up, mixed with dirt and torn grass blades.

  “You’ll find other mushrooms too,” said Tess. “We have Highryzers, Wise Old Belldrops, and Spotted Lushcaps. Most of them are edible, but none of them are as sweet as Sparkies!”

  “There aren’t many mushrooms where I’m from,” said Ayla. She found another patch and picked away. “Mostly relied on berries, a few shrubs and whatever a good hunt might produce.”

  Tess stood up and slapped her hands together, brushing dirt off her gloves.

  “Where’s that?”

  Ayla wasn’t sure how much she wanted to divulge. She waved towards the northeast. “I’m from that way,” she said.

  “That is very specific,” frowned Tess.

  “It’s a long story,” said Ayla. “Kind of hoping to just get a fresh start.” She pulled at a few more mushrooms, filling her cloak. She dumped them in the basket, filling it to the brim. Tess dropped a few more mushrooms that she had been cradling. The basket was now heaping.

  “I’d say that does it,” she said. “Oh?” Tess bent over, looking at something in the grass.

  “What is it?” Ayla asked, inching forward. Tess reached down and with a long stick, lifting a small brown snake with swirling green dots wrapping around it. Ayla’s eyes widened. “It’s not poisonous is it?”

  Tess shook her head uncomfortably, looking around, her eyes darting from one shadowed tree to another. “No, they aren’t. Do you see any more?”

  Ayla checked around her feet, then around the basket, “I don’t see any, no.”

  “We should probably go,” said Tess. “One of these little guys is fine, but more than one? We have trouble.”

  “How do mean?”

  “It’s not them. It’s what feeds on them.”

  Ayla heard a twig snap in the distance. It was close, not so close that Tess could hear. However, Tess did sniff the air. “I smell something,” she said.

  “I heard something,” said Ayla. The grass shifted below and a brief inspection revealed more brown snakes, quickly slithering through the blades.

  That’s unnerving. Ayla heard more twigs snap. Whatever pursued the snakes was heading their way. Tess’s nostrils flared again.

  “Uh oh,” she said.

  Emerging from the dark woods, pushing aside bushes, scaring away the fireflies was a giant lizard, bright green with bulging pale eyes. It looked like an oversized gecko that was uncomfortably stretched. It must have been twelve feet from tip of its snout to the end of its tail.

  “A limegnash,” said Tess, slowly backing away.

  Ayla had heard of these. As it approached them, its tongue extended to collect the brown snakes in the grass. When it consumed them, a slow dripping acid leaked from the corners of its mouth. The limegnash hissed at them.

  “The acid can burn you, right?” Ayla asked. She unsheathed her dagger, standing ready for combat.

  “You’re going to fight it?” asked Tess, her voice higher pitched than normal.

  “Can we run?”

  Just as as Tess was about to answer, the limegnash sprung forward, hissing, baring a row of tiny piercing fangs. Ayla pushed Tess to the right, throwing her to the ground. She rolled to the left as the limegnash leapt between them. It lashed around, rushing towards Tess!

  A long, thin tongue snaked out, dripping with acid. It lashed at Tess, but she saw it coming. She had crouched, springing to her right as the tongue snapped where she’d just leapt from. She reached an impressive height, arcing higher than the limegnash stood. Ayla recalled Tess’s agility as she navigated the cabinets. It seems she was just as impressively spry in the face of danger. The limegnash kept its eyes trained on Tess, inching closer.

  Ayla dashed forward, picking up a small, but sturdy branch. The bottom of her dress warbled as the white diamonds softly glowed, emitting a white haze that wrapped up her arm, encasing the stick in ice. Ayla threw the icicle at the ground between Tess and the limegnash. It cracked and popped as a wall of ice burst up between them. Tess quickly crawled back, shocked to suddenly see her reflection when she had just seen razor sharp teeth! The limegnash blinked for a moment, confused by the ice wall, and turned to Ayla.

  Ayla faced the limegnash, swaying side to side, glaring into its eyes. The limegnash hissed again, ducking down, acid dripping from its mouth, creeping towards her.

  It swung at her, trying to stick her with its giant bulbous fingers. She rolled to the left, narrowly dodging it. She leaped up onto its back, something the limegnash did not like! It whipped around, fiercely shaking to throw her off. She stabbed the dagger into its neck, jerking it around. When she yanked the blade out, acid blood streamed in a glowing green arc, and froze into emerald pebbles as the wound iced over and spread down the creatures back. It wasn’t a fatal blow, but it was enough. The limegnash used its strength to whip around like blurry green wheel. Ayla lost her grip, flying off its back and into a tree, crying out. The force was greater than she expected. The limegnash squealed as it retreated into the woods.

  The clearing quieted down. Tess jogged over to Ayla, and reached down to help her up. “Here, take my hand!”

  “No!” said Ayla, swatting at her. Surprised, Tess pulled her hand back and gave Ayla some space as she rose to her feet.

  “You really don’t like others touching you, huh?”

  Ayla brushed off her backside, legs and front. She looked away, embarrassed. “Are you hurt?”

  “I’m okay,” said Tess. “Thanks to you! That ice wall was amazing!” She took a moment to settle, “Are you okay?”

  Ayla sheathed her dagger, taking a deep breath. “We should get back.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “We’re good, Tess,” she said heatedly, “I’m okay.” She took a breath. They stood in silence for a moment.

  Tess patted her thighs as if smoothing out the tension in the air, “Okay, um, well…” she turned for the basket. “Mind giving me a hand?”

  “Of course,” said Ayla. She walked over and grabbed one side of the basket. Tess grabbed the other. Ayla lifted the lantern high.

  “At least he didn’t crush our mushrooms,” said Tess, half smiling. “Gabby would not have been happy. Plus, they’re kind of a customer favorite.”

  Ayla nodded. “Let’s make sure we get them back safely then.”

  They were quiet for most of the walk back to the tavern. Ayla was more alert now than before, keeping a keen ear and eye on their surroundings. Every few minutes, she’d steal a glance at Tess.

  I hope she’s not mad at me, thought Ayla. It’s not that I don’t like being touched. It’s that I can’t be touched.

  She jiggled the basket, getting Tess’s attention. “Thanks for taking me to the clearing. Now I know where to get the best sparkcaps.”

  Tess forced a smile, “Yeah, sure thing. Sorry about the limegnash. I should have warned you about them.”

  “It’s not your fault,” said Ayla. “There are way worse things out there.”

  Tess left it at that. Ayla tried to get a read on her. Based on her searching gaze, and pursed lips, it was clear Tess had questions, but wasn’t sure how to ask them. Not that it’d matter. Ayla wasn’t sure how she’d answer.

  As they left the foggy path, Witchwicks came into view. They both relaxed, taken in by its inviting warm light. They made their way to the rear entrance and into the kitchen where they dropped the basket on the floor next to the kitchen sink.

  “That’s perfect!” said Gabby. “I’ll wash them immediately!”

  Tess sat down and started to untie her boots while Ayla pulled off her cloak. As she looked down, laying her cloak over her arm, she saw the pansy in her breast pocket. It had flattened against the apron a little, but she was happy to see it survived the scuffle.

  “Do I smell limegnash?” asked Gabby.

  “Yeah,” said Tess. “Thanks to Ayla, we made it back safely!” Next, she swapped her gloves. Black for green.

  “Tess has quite the spring in her step too,” said Ayla, keeping things lighthearted. “That limegnash didn’t stand a chance.”

  Ayla met Tess’s eyes. Whatever tension existed in the woods was gone from her face now. Perhaps she was just happy to be back in the tavern. Ayla sure was.

  “Well done,” said Gabby. “Well, be sure to wash up! Fraz should be back any minute and we open in a hour!”