Newly Broke Heroine! [Book One Complete, Cozy Fantasy Adventure]

"Are you two done? We have timetables to keep." The new arrival strolled, arms crossed, and his face was nothing but hard edges. "We're sitting on a half-finished batch. You're behind schedule."

"We're overworked, and taking double shifts," The surly dwarf replied. "Maybe next time you decide to take on a task so insane, try to have manpower lined up for the size of the task."

Is that…Karlin? She wondered. His voice was similar, but she wasn't sure. She hadn't really been able to compare human to dragon voices. But, Doug's voice was certainly higher pitched and lighter than his dragon form, as a comparison.

The dark-haired man narrowed his eyes and took a menacing step toward the dwarf, as immovable as a boulder in the room. "I don't care about your issues. I want results. I don't think you know this, but we're all up a creek without a paddle if we don't offload this before Varith figures out what we're doing. I just left him holding the bag to ensure his destruction."

She nearly let out a sound of surprise and clapped her fingers over her mouth. Varith wasn't in on this? She was sure he was part of the problem. Or was there double-dealing going on? Wait. What if Karlin isn't stealing just Fiefdala's gold? Or if someone else is, and he had to go steal Vale's gold? He could have been exploiting the chaos of the internal dispute several months ago.

It was conjecture. But this threw a wrench in her thinking. Wrenches belonged in toolboxes, not obstacles to dealing with greedy dragons.

The woman scoffed at this. "Jacking people's gold out from under their noses is one thing. But stealing from the Aegortin empire? Oh, that's a death wish. You are one cold bastard to undermine the man who just helped you."

"It's a necessary risk, and no one likes the Aegortins. They're the only country out there where even Vale has a higher moral ground." Fiona found that hard to believe; her brief stay here only reinforced the notion that Vale was at the rock bottom of decency and humanity for all Folk. "And you should watch yourself. You'd be shipbound as a servant for the rest of your natural life if I hadn't bought out and annulled your contract."

Fiona noted the finely manicured nails accenting his fingers as he tapped them rhythmically against his arm. The woman shifted into view, standing firm against the implied might of this man. "You're crazy. Not theoretically, but actually crazy. And if you think you can get enough Aurelium to bring her back, you're crazier than that goldilocks loon." The woman's words were almost a growl. "How much do we have now?"

"It's not about the worth. And you know that."

Fiona tilted her head, mouthing confusion. What, exactly, was going on here? Several things didn't add up. This was supposed to be the source of the coins, not where they were shipped to. And why was Karlin stealing from the Aegortin empire?

She hated the possibility that Karlin was a less bad villain. Enemies of enemies were still not friends. Her normal response would be to barge out and start smashing until she got answers. Which, even given her prowess, would likely not end well here. Focus, Fiona. Keep listening. Smashing can come later. And maybe I should follow through with some contingencies.

"I've almost got enough aurelium," the man stated quietly. "Curious substance, isn't it? Everyone prizes it for its worth and uses it as a capacitor for magical energy. But they lack vision for its full potential."

Fiona kept listening as the woman let out a hissing exhale. "Your whole plan hinges on a component you don't even have! You don't even have a vessel!" Fiona couldn't see his reaction fully, but she saw him shift his stance, as if unsure of his footing. The woman's eyes widened. "You have a vessel? When? Where?!"

"I don't think they're a viable candidate. And even if they were, they are not worth the trouble."

"Dragon shit." the woman narrowed her eyes. "We haven't had a shot at a viable candidate for thousands of years, and you know that. Anyone is worth the risk if this is true. Who?"

"You understand how our relationship works, right? You do your witch magic with the aurelium to my specifications, you get to live a happy, free life, away from that stain upon Cepalune called Vale. There is no viable candidate, yet." The man's tone bordered on irritation, with the way he glared at the woman.

"You have never been concerned with anyone other than yourself," the woman sneered, daring to be bold. "You have no scales in the game, at any point. When Varith finds out you're stealing gold from everyone? You're going to need someone powerful in your corner."

"Stealing is a subjective word. The term you're looking for is 'repossessing and exploiting existing laws." The presumptive dragon's words were little more than a growl. "Besides, Varith is about to have far bigger problems beyond my machinations. His residence on that throne will be short-lived and is about to implode.I don't even have to lift a claw; he's making enemies of the banks, with his talk of 'transformation' and 'infrastructure investment' and several other five-coin words. I was there yesterday and today. I can read the room with my contacts–they're up to something. I want to be done before they make their move, and plunge Savipol into another six-month lockdown. Assuming he doesn't do something else reckless, sooner."

"I'm with her," the dwarf said sternly. "Begging your pardon, but you've got legit workers who will have a world of trouble come down on their heads at some point. Workers with families, friends–"

"Not my problem. They're well compensated for the risk." It almost made her want to get her hammer off her belt and smash some empathy into this thick skull.

"Nothing is your problem, is it?" The dwarf stated with all the warmth of an arctic glacier. "You know, I heard what happened to your brother in Fiefdala. I bet you had something to do with that. How many times have you bullied him and ruined him?"

The man let out a belly laugh. "Ruined? I busted my ass for my mother's love to prove I was the strongest, the smartest, the dragon that always came out on top! But yet, she always favored him, no matter what, even to her death! So you know what, I don't care. I will tear down everything she ever built for him, or anything he manages to scrape together, because he doesn't deserve it."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Well, that confirmed it. Doug's brother was in the room. Not that it wasn't a pretty sure bet.

The dwarf let out a distinct harumph. "Want my two coppers on that? That's beyond cruel."

"Duly noted." Karlin gave them both a dismissive wave, unbothered by the accusation. "I don't think our family dispute is any of your concern. He had that coming for a long time, with or without my involvement. I want all this gold processed in a week. Work around the clock if you have to, keep people manning those smelters–"

There was a crackle of arcane energy, as if someone's relay had just gone off at full volume. "Boss! There's a problem! About a hundred men in half a dozen automatons are coming this way, royal guard! I don't think they're out for a scenic tour." Karlin tapped the relay impatiently.

"I was not forewarned of this. Okay, you know what, everyone tidy up, look presentable, and hide our latest shipment." She swore she saw him glance at the closet for a split second, and she shifted position slightly. But the moment passed and they all hustled out of the room in a hurry.

Fiona watched them all scurry out of the room, footsteps clanging off the metal and wood walkway in the foundry, and she eased the door to her closet closed. She tapped her relay as soon as she thought they were out of earshot.

"Guys, grab documents fast. It's about to get–"

She stopped, as a dread built in an instant. Or, several.

The first: why, exactly, was Vale's military out here? Had Varith figured out the dragon was ripping him off? She definitely wanted to avoid getting between two enemies willing to tear into each other, while she sat on the sidelines. Then beat up the winner.

Second, Doug had excellent hearing, from what she knew of him. And eyesight. Even with her enhanced gear obscuring her, had Karlin…been baiting that conversation?

She heard the clang of footsteps–then the click of claws, somewhere below her. She put her head to the ground, listening intently. Wingding was flapping excitedly, so fast that she couldn't make out what, exactly, she was saying.

Slow down, girl! What are you trying to say?

[Hey, listen! Hey, listen!]

Fiona almost groaned audibly. This heart-shaped hint fairy was fulfilling her theoretical role to an uncomfortable level. But Fiona did listen, as intently as she could.

More shuffling around of claws on metal. A grumble. Then, the moment came. The moment every nerve went on edge, and she realized it was about to get a lot less cozy in this closet.

She bashed the door open and rolled out of the way as a set of claws smashed through the wall of her hideaway, and her evasion came at the perfect moment. Screeching metal and splintering wood gave way to something far worse. Leering at her from the first floor and having expertly torn a massive hole through the infrastructure was Karlin, who narrowed his eyes.

"Damn. My hearing is getting bad if an elf can sneak in here–oh by the goddess, you?!" The recognition was instant, and his eyes widened.

"Yes, it's me! The hammer-wielding maniac!" She bowed mockingly, and her weapon snapped into her hand. It always paid to keep it handy. "I have to commend you, buddy. You stole two kingdoms' livelihoods, didn't you? Or is it three? It's getting hard to keep count."

He gritted his teeth, eyes alight with fury. "Really? You think I'm so greedy to steal from that many people? You're dead wrong, Swiftheart. You haven't got all the facts."

"Kinda seems like I do. You're also shipping funny money to your workers. Pretty low, paying those hard-working blue-collar workers with fake gold. I don't think I can let that one slide–or, any of them, really." She hefted her hammer to bear.

He blinked. "What funny money? You mean my payment system for my workers? Woman, you know how hard it is to get people paid out here that aren't confiscated by the sla–I mean, contract holders?"

"Were you not gushing about buying out Fiefdala the other day?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Yes, I'd love to have a lakeside capital of my own. Who wouldn't?" he acted utterly nonchalant about it. "Besides, buying out a kingdom is one thing. Running it? That's way different. I just want the payout. That pasty-faced dweeb can keep that cushy chair too big for him, but he'll be sending every coin above the day to day expenses to me."

"And you're going to buy out the debts, from gold you stole from the kingdom. Sounds like a movie I watched once!" She hefted her hammer, tapping the blunt end gently against her free palm.

He blinked again. "Fiefdala's gold is dried out. I know that. Wasn't stolen by me, though, I had to scrounge pretty hard to find it. You know how hard it would be to buy off the mine workers of such unprecedented theft? Or keep them quiet long enough to pull it off? That's a risk even I wouldn't take. Now, can you be a good little elf and put that weapon down? I don't think you've thought this through, and I've got bigger problems that are about to rear their ugly head."

Uh, Wingding? Have we screwed up here? Is Karlin doing legit business in Vale? Because, I don't think he's lying about this. Another possibility played out in her mind:

The gold had never left Fiefdala. At least, not stolen by Karlin.

Flap.

That response did not build any confidence, even as Fiona hefted her hammer. She could hear the sound of automatons pulling up in the yard. Distantly, she saw men filing out through one of the sooty windows. Men with a wonderful array of crossbows, presumptive flintlock rifles, and a field cannon were shoved down a ramp from the back of one.

Karlin followed her gaze, and clicked his tongue softly. "I don't suppose this is your handiwork? No, I bet it isn't, is it?" Karlin pointed a claw from his awkward position. "Let's not fight each other for about the next five minutes, and see how this plays out."

You know what? The hell with this. I can buy time for Nick and the others to keep digging for evidence. "Sure. But, forgive me if I don't shake your hand. Also, you put a giant hole in your building."

He grunted at that. "Better that than incinerating it. I don't suppose my loser of a brother has been helping you, has he? I heard you came here on business with him, but I haven't seen him. I'm itching to tear him down...what is it, the fourth time, now?"

Oh, do you really want to open this door? Because lurking behind this door of doom, is a seismic impact hammer, and a pissed off isekaied elf. "Even if he did work with me, he's off limits--and that would apply to any of the people who work with me. What's your beef with him?" she asked suddenly.

[No. Abort. Ctrl + Alt + Delete. Bad idea.]

The fact that Wingding was throwing warning bells, was irritating. Karlin rubbed at his snout, a glimmer of malcontent in his eyes. "Oh, my feud with him goes beyond petty childhood squabbles. Mom always favored him, no matter what. Even to her death."

"Fiona, there are a lot of troops pulling out party favors. The kind that sets things on fire. Everyone needs to get out and get scarce, right now," Doug whispered anxiously over the relay. She clicked the relay send button, uncaring about how suspicious it was.

"Bail," she uttered with ferocity, while Karlin looked on in confusion. "You know something, Karlin? You were full of crap back at the bank, and it sounds to me like Varith knows you're up to some dastardly scheme. Which, you are, by all appearance and--"

Karlin's eyes widened, and her ears went on edge as she heard a build-up of a high-pitched hum, getting ominously louder and higher pitched. The fact that the fireproof dragon was afraid, told her this sound was not tinnitus from alchemical grenades going off a little too close, but something far worse.

She felt an instant spark of danger, before Wingding started flapping like she'd take off from her skin. Fiona ducked to cover under a sturdy desk, just as a detonation of magical fire blew apart the wall, and part of the building. Flames washed past her cover, and the intense heat singed her hair.

Burnt ginger was not a great fashion, in hindsight. She didn't have long to contemplate their drop in situation from tenuous to utterly screwed as the floor buckled, and she slid down into the destruction below, flames rising up to greet her.