illusions tend to be simpler, redirecting travelers away from our grottos or making our appearance more mundane, like one from a race of elves, so that we are able to hide what we are. We also try to be honest and fair with what we give when it comes to our magic, rather than relying on the cheap tricks of illusions that goblins utilize.
“Being a bit reserved with your magic doesn’t sound like prudery to me. You don’t feel the need to flaunt or waste power indiscriminately, even though you have it.”
“Except to materialize real money,” the goblin cut in, his eyes shining. “You will waste plenty of magic unnecessarily replicating currency. So don’t act as if your magic is all so holy,” he snickers.
I scowl down at the goblin. “And I suppose that you just make an illusion of coins with what? Bits of junk from your pocket? Just as temporary as the mask of human attractiveness, and yet stealing from hardworking people.”
Grimsal blinks at the vehemence in my voice, but I have no patience for cheats. My ex was a cheat, looking to gain everything with false promises, and I’ve known what it’s like to be poor and working some thankless job where every penny is absolutely necessary.
“I don’t suppose it occurs to you that the people you cheat are the ones who have to pay for your foolish games? That money comes out of their pockets when it comes back short. So don’t go getting smug about Eliph wasting magic on currency. It seems to me that he’s far more honorable and discerning in how he uses his power. It doesn’t hurt people.”
Grimsal wilts a bit, obviously stung, and I dislike feeling like the “angry woman who will tear you a new asshole” type that everyone seems happy to pin on me. But as much as I hate the way he thinks sometimes—like now—I want to see better from him. Beneath all his bluster, wit, and sharp tongue, a good male is hiding that I see peek through every now and then, like at the inn, or even with his patience in helping me with my riding. I know it’s unlikely that he will be anything less than contrary—that’s just his nature—but I’m hoping that he will think more about his actions before he cheats someone like that.
“If you have to steal from someone, at least make sure they’re loaded and can afford it,” I add under my breath.
Do not encourage him, Ahandral, Eliph sighs. His kind doesn’t understand any sort of temperance.
“I don’t believe in a ‘kind,’” I shoot back pleasantly. “Too many people want to pigeonhole folks into this kind or that instead of recognizing that we’re all just people. I’ve got faith in Grimsal to at least consider showing some discretion when it comes to those he fleeces.”
Our goblin friend strokes his chin and gives me a cheeky smile.
“It’s worth mulling over, at least,” he agrees. “Typically, in ages of old we did aid the humble people when they called on us to level the playing field, so to speak, but it is not something I’ve considered actively taking on. We’re an equal opportunity lot unless directly petitioned… but I do like this concept. Reminds me of the old heroic tales of my grandsire Robin of the Red Hood,” he says with a cheerful touch to the brim of his hat. “The family often likes to recount how he ravished the nobility of old Nottinghamshire.”
“Robin Hood?” I deadpan skeptically as I stare down at him from Eliph’s high back. “Are you just pulling my leg, or are you really trying to convince me that Robin Hood was fae and your grandfather?”
Grimsal snorts, keeping up without any effort or breathlessness as he begins to spin his story without so much as breaking stride.
“Humans! Your legends forget everything—even the best details. Of course he was fae! How many humans could truly be so crafty and wily and not get caught? He was a red hat—or red hood back then—goblin. Some locals called him up with their last bit of corn, begging for assistance with the terrible taxation. Well, Robin, also called Robin Goodfellow in those parts that understood that he was indeed part of the fae courts, had a good heart like many goblins do. This was well before our worlds parted for good, you understand, and all of us were under the power of the elf courts that held sway of those places connecting our