buys the other person’s next meal. Or snack, if that’s preferred.”
Rune gave a silent ‘ahh’ of understanding. Then he held out a hand. “Bet taken.”
She solemnly shook to seal the deal. Siobhan cocked her ear toward the hole, listening to the argument escalate.
“Is not!” Wolf thundered.
“Is too!” Tran snapped back.
“Is not!”
“Five…” she muttered under her breath.
“Markl, who’s right?!”
“Four…”
“I told you, I don’t know enough to be sure—”
“Three…”
“You’ve got brains the size of a bird’s, who’d believe you!”
“Two…”
A meaty thunk sounded below, a familiar sound that she knew well. Someone’s fist had rammed into someone else’s face. Hopefully it wasn’t Wolf’s iron fist, as the last time he’d used that against a face, he’d broken the man’s jaw.
Rune leaned down and put his eye directly against the knothole. “Ya even have it timed,” he said in amazement.
“It’s just experience. Live with them for another five years, and you can do the same thing.” She shook her head in exasperation. “Is Markl fighting too? Can you see them?”
“Sure is.”
“Poor man. I forgot to warn him. If another man is nearby when those two start fighting, he’s inevitably drawn into it somehow. Keep that in mind.” Rising to her feet, she asked, “Where’s the quickest way down?”
“I thought ya didn’t stop them.”
“I said I didn’t mother them. I stop them when I see them fighting. Besides, if I don’t stop this quick, they’re going to damage Jarnsmor’s furniture, and I’d rather that not happen. He’s been a perfectly good host so far.”
Rune’s open hand said she had a good point. He rose to his feet and gestured her to follow, leading her about ten steps away before he knelt again and opened another ceiling panel. If he hadn’t led her to it, she’d have never known it was there. Lifting the board free, he eyed the distance to the ground. “How good are ya at jumping?”
“About as good as climbing.”
“Ah. In that case, me first. I’ll catch ya.”
She blinked at him in surprise. “You and I are about the same size. You sure you can catch me?”
He gave her a long look, as if indignant she questioned such a thing.
Holding up her hands in surrender, she didn’t press the point. After all, if he was sure, he was sure. If he was wrong, he’d just end up squashed under her.
Rune hopped through the hole and landed as easily as a cat, not at all bothered by the eight foot drop. With a breath for courage, she maneuvered her legs through the hole first then pushed off, dropping the rest of the way. Proving he was right, Rune caught her easily under the arms and set her to her feet without any noticeable strain on his part. Great winds, he was stronger than he looked! She’d met few men that had the strength to do what he’d just done.
Smiling, she patted him on the shoulder in silent thanks before pushing away and looking around. They were in the hallway just outside the dining room door. Oh good. She was close. Pushing through the door, she drew air into her lungs and yelled, “STOP!”
The tableau froze.
Wolf had one fist drawn back, ready to strike. Tran had a hand up to block the strike, the other around the arm Markl had around his neck. Markl was apparently trying to draw Tran away from the fight, but against the bigger man, he wasn’t having much of an effect. When she stepped inside, all three of them looked at her cautiously.
“Markl,” she said kindly, “I know you’re not at fault in this so you’re not in trouble. Be forewarned, however, that this usually happens if you are around these two. If they start arguing, just walk away. Otherwise you’ll get drawn into the fight.”
“Ahhh…” he slowly released Tran and stepped back. “Right.”
Still with that sweet smile on her face, she turned to the other two. “Now. It’s clear to me that if you have the energy to fight over how to pronounce a word, then you need something to do.”
“How did you know what we were fighting about?” Tran questioned slowly, eyes suspicious.
She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a self-righteous look. “I was learning the finer art of skulking. I overheard you.”
All three men gave her an incredulous look before their eyes darted to the ceiling.
Rune popped up behind her and waggled his fingers in a little wave at them.
“Ah,” Wolf grunted. “I should have guessed. He’s corrupting you.”