The Staff of Naught Read Free Page B

large yellow sash that seemed to shimmer with a sparkling light.
    “Hello Myris, my dear,” said the woman as she came so close to him that her perfume wafted to his nostrils. She flipped her long green hair with a shake of her head and a few strands brushed the chamberlain who shuddered noticeably and sweat appeared on his brow. “Have you been talking to yourself about Mayor Shumba again?”
    “I am simply an advisor who does as he is told,” replied Myris with a sharp sort of edge in his voice as he refolded his arms across his chest and lifted his chin although could not help but take in another whiff of her intoxicating perfume.
    “Of course, of course,” said Lousa with a smile and flipped her hair once again. “Have you managed to gather them all for the meeting?”
    Myris snorted, a sound rather pig like despite a narrow nose that bore no resemblance to that species. “They’re in the hall that damn girl bit me when I tried to take her brother. I had to have Shamki hold her down while useless Humbort just stood there stammering like a fool.”
    “Have you alerted the mayor to their presence?”
    “I sent in the boy to tell him about ten minutes ago but I’ve just been waiting out here since.”
    “I see, well then you’ve done your job haven’t you?”
    “And done it well,” said Myris standing up straight which brought him to within a couple of inches of the height of the woman before him. He looked up at her and smirked, “Have you accomplished anything useful this morning?”
    Lousa smiled playfully and walked so close to Myris that her hair brushed over his shoulder as she headed to the door at the end of the hall and vanished. A few moments later she came out with the mayor and a young boy no more than eleven or twelve and not yet into puberty. They walked quickly passed the chamberlain and only Lousa gave him a small smirk before they headed out of the room. Myris watched them go for a moment before he shook his head with a start and rushed after.
    By the time he caught up they were in a large chamber where the witch woman sat at the head of the table a large mug of something frothy already half-finished, the little urchin boy perched on a sideboard his legs dangled over the edge while his sister sat on his shoulders and played with a silver spoon, more of the silver objects poked out from her pockets. Elsewhere the heavyset merchant sipped from a mug much like the witch’s and next to him the massive half-orc whittled at the table with a sharp carving knife. In another seat, almost invisible and slouched low, sat the last member of the quorum the foppish companion of Shamki, Humbort. In front of the group stood the mayor with Lousa at his side her arm around the waist of the fat man and a wide grin on her face.
    “I’ve no doubt you’ve already heard my story Mayor Shumba,” said Tanner to the big man as his eyes flicked towards the woman at his side. “And more than once I’d guess.”
    “I’m glad you could join us Tanner. I know we’ve had our differences before about import tariffs and taxes but this is a serious situation and I hope you can mollify your belligerent attitude for the greater good. I’m not sure if you’ve met everyone here, so you won’t mind if I make a few introductions?”
    The merchant spread his hands and took a long sip from his mug, “It’s your party.”
    “Many of you know me as Mayor Shumba,” said the fat man with a smile and a little bow, “but for today please just call me Jorum. I think everyone knows my deputy mayor, Lousa Felendar of the fairy folk. She will be in charge of today’s little gathering. My son is here to learn but won’t say anything,” with this he gave the boy a glance.
    Myris shuffled his feet and made a small sound.
    The mayor didn’t even glance in his direction. “I think all of you heard the rumors that are flying around town today thanks to Tanner Wilmer. Tanner, I know you’re a free man and entitled to do as