Clan Nuan departed one by one, heading toward their ship in the field. Cookie walked by me, grinned, and showed me a big green gem clutched in his paw. So, the emerald was returned. Clan Nuan would have to find some other way to entrap their young adults. I had no doubt they would think of something.

Grandmother passed me in her palanquin, favoring me with a nod. Nuan Cee nodded to me as well, and I nodded back. The next time I would come to Baha-char to seek a Merchant, I would have a rough time bargaining, but some things couldn’t be helped. Maybe I would shop at his competitors. Stranger things had happened.

The Holy Anocracy was the last. They moved past me, huge in their armor. Lady Isur and Lord Robart walked together, side by side. As they passed me, Lady Isur gently touched Robart’s forearm. He glanced at her and put his hand over hers. Maybe there would be something there in the future. Who knew?

Arland was the last of the line. He lingered by me.

“Here we are again,” he said. “I’m leaving.”

“And I’m staying.”

“Lady Dina…”

“Your people are waiting for you, Lord Arland.”

He smiled, showing me his fangs. “Until next time then.”

“Until next time.”

“He has feelings for you,” Sophie said softly.

“He likes the idea of me,” I told her. “In practice, both he and I know that this would never work.”

I turned to George.

“It is our turn,” he said.

“Yes. Congratulations on your first successful Arbitration.”

“It wouldn’t have been possible without you,” he said.

“You’re right. It wouldn’t have been.”

George offered me a smile. The impact was staggering, but I was now immune.

“I suppose I am now banned from the inn.”

“Well, you’ve broken my apple trees, deliberately inflicted emotional distress on me and my guests, and manipulated me into a dangerous magical ritual that could’ve cost my sanity. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to ban you, the Office of Arbitration is a valuable ally. So Gertrude Hunt will welcome you again, should you need our hospitality. At triple your current rate.”

George laughed. “Very well. Our bill has been settled.”

I had checked the account an hour ago. My account showed a lovely new balance, complete with a hundred thousand dollar bonus marked as “apple trees.” They payment had been processed through a complicated system of the innkeeper network. It would stand up to scrutiny as long as all my taxes were filed properly.

“To borrow from the Marshall of House Krahr, until next time,” George said.

Yeah. Hopefully not too soon.

The top of his cane shone with bright light and the Arbiter’s people vanished.

I sat into my patio chair and sighed. The inn had sprouted grape bunches of lights from the roof of the porch and they bathed the space in a soft light. Finally. Everyone was gone.

The door swung open and Caldenia emerged onto the porch. Her Grace was clad into a light green kimono style robe. She took the chair next to me. Orro followed and loomed over me, a seven foot tall, spiky shadow.

Oh. Right. He had to leave too. The kitchen would feel so empty and quiet without him. But there was no way I could afford him.

I smiled at him. “Thank you so much for your help, Orro. I couldn’t have done it without you. You managed the impossible.”

He loomed over me without saying a word.

I raised my hand. The brick wall of the inn parted and a small datacard popped into my hand. I offered it to him. “This is your payment and some endorsements for you. It’s not much, but it is the least I can do.”

“Please, dear.” Caldenia glanced at Orro. “She obtained testimonials from the Khanum of the Horde, three Houses of the Holy Anocracy, Clan Nuan, and myself. This is enough recommendations to rejuvenate your career.”

Orro moved. His hand shot out, blur-fast. A tiny cupcake landed in front of me, decorated with a swirl of bright yellow cream and a tiny flower made from fondant. The delicate aroma of mango filled the air.

“For me?”

He nodded.

“Thank you.”

He made a harrumph-like noise and moved again. I looked down at the grocery store flier deposited on the table. He’d circled a sale on strawberries and cherries.

“I need these things. I cannot make breakfast with thin air.”

I blinked.

“And dinner. I will need these.” He flipped the page and pointed to pork chops.

“Orro, I can’t afford to keep you. You’re a Cleaver chef. I barely even have guests…”

His chest swelled, His needles stood up, making him even larger. “This is an inn. An inn needs a chef. You can’t afford not to keep me. You don’t even have a gastronomic coagulator!”

“Orro…”

“Do not speak of money to me.  If I leave, you would ruin this kitchen.  You would wallow in your prehistoric barbarism, producing inedible food and desecrating the ingredients.” He raised his chin. “I have spoken.”

He turned, went inside, and slammed the screen door behind him.

“Oh thank the stars.” Caldenia exhaled. “No offense to your cooking, but the thought of going back to it was causing me actual anxiety.”

So.  We had a chef.  I licked the icing on my cupcake. It was delicious. Mmmm, mango.

“Where is your werewolf?” Caldenia arched her eyebrows.

An hour ago Sean and Nuan Cee had walked out into the dark night. I watched as the armor melted off Sean Evans and his body slimmed down to the human form. He took a deep breath, looked at the moon, handed his armor to the Merchant, and walked away.

“He’ll come around,” I told her and licked my cupcake again, savoring the taste. “I’m sure of it.”

“Things he has seen. Things he has been through. I’ve had affairs with men damaged by war. It is an uphill battle, which, most of the time, isn’t worth the effort. You do realize this will be exceedingly difficult?”

“I know,” I told her.

“Very well.” Her Grace leaned back. “After all, this will be interesting to watch. One must do something for entertainment around here.”

I laughed and ate my cupcake.

Epilogue

The inn chimed, announcing a guest. I raised my head from my book. It was Friday night. The sky behind my windows was dark.