The crowd demanded encores. Cyttia felt strong. She never tired from exercise. She did another flip and pretended she battled the Big Bad Man-wolf. The crowd howled. As a matter of fact, the big bad Man-wolf had howled too as she pummeled him! A burly fisherman jumped onto the stage. Cyttia jumped away from him. The shadowy figure with the scimitar drew the weapon and stood. The fisherman cowered before him and crawled off the stage. Cyttia bowed to the security man and then the crowd and left the stage.
Morck Bhroades had his best night ever as a proprietor. He approached the table where Nigel sat with Cara, Knarra, and Elphis.
“She’s great! I’ll pay double! I’ll pay triple!” Morck said. He looked at Cara and said, “I’ll double it again if you’ll get up there and dance!”
Nigel and Cara had learned a lot from their discussions with Elphis. They really didn’t want to spend time with the greedy merchant. They wanted rest and sleep.
Nigel looked at Morck and said, “Let us think about it. If you thought the tall girl was good, you should see this one!”
Cara kicked Nigel under the table.
“Here’s your wages for tonight! I’ve added a hundred Dakin. Please consider my offer,” Morck said. He left them because there was ale to sell.
Nigel winked at Cara and said, “I think I’m better at this than stealing!”
Cara smiled demurely, “I think you enjoy it too much, Nigel. If it were thirty years ago, I might take you up on the offer. Dancing for this many Dakin would have topped working in a tavern and enduring the lustful gazes of fennig pinchers.”
(A fennig was worth one hundredth of a Dakin)
The Queen and the Steward of Ooranth stood and left the tavern. They found Cyttia waiting outside. The Draith was not tired.
“Did I do OK?” Cyttia asked.
“Yes,” Nigel answered.
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