Romarod the Orc (special preview)

Elderbay was once a town just outside of Obresh, but now it is a part of Obresh. The town had been taken over after the port had failed and the town had fallen to mostly ruin. It was easy for the leaders of Obresh to take over, there wasn’t really anybody putting up a fight over it. They came in and cleaned up the place, but Elderbay had always been known for its sleaze and probably always would be. Now known as Obreshbay (or Obree Bay due to dialect) it served as a main spot for fishing. While Obresh had turned to a port for dignitaries, royalty, travel, and export, Obreshbay was becoming known now for fishermen, markets, and yes of course, still the sleaze.

Ever since I was thirteen I had lived in Elderbay. I was left here by my father and I do not know if he simply left me or he died. It’s not exactly a mystery I’m killing myself to figure out.

I found work in the Elderbay Village Pub, now known as the Obree Bay Village Pub. Not much has changed besides the owners. There have been repairs made to the place and it’s become attached to the inn next door, where I was moved to work. But really it’s the same as it ever was.

New people had been moving in due to the allure of the fishing industry and the growing market. But the people were the same. The pub still had a repute and a service many miles to visit.

“For a crappy pub you really do make some of the best food this side of Obresh.” My new boss was a chatty lady who favored the drink a bit too much, which was fine as it usually kept her out of my hair.

“Even the riff raff deserves a good meal,” I tutted at her.

“You’ve been doing this since you were thirteen?” She slurred a bit, hinting towards the wine on her breath.

I stood my full height, towering over her quite a bit. Then again, I towered over most of my peers. “I’ve been washing dishes since I was thirteen, Mrs. Billdrake.” I fill her a glass of water and hand it to her. “I’ve been cooking since I was sixteen.”

“Still!” She scoffed. “I never got my first job until I got married to Mr. Billdrake.”

Shame, I thought, but I kept my tongue to myself.

“Do you need help taking the food over to the pub?” She asked, already standing up to leave without helping. Not that I would let her help. I worked my ass off on these meat pies and sandwiches. I wasn’t going to let her carry anything anywhere.

“I’ve got it, ma’am,” I said curtly. “Go on and get.” She was out the door in that moment and I clicked my tongue. “People with money. I’ll never understand them,” I grumbled under my breath. I picked up the heavy trays with ease, walking through the back of the kitchen and into the pub.

There was a thunderous cheer as I came walking through and set the trays down behind the bar.

“Been waiting on you, Caddie,” Golman, the goblin barkeep said.

“Yeah well, worth it, aren’t they?” I sneered as I set the food on shelves so they could be easily reached.

There was an excited hum as patrons began ordering my wares. I barely had the last meat pie on the shelf before half were gone to hungry customers. Men who smelled like the sea, crusted in salt and brine, there hands worn red by the nets and ropes and brutal winds.

“I take it you forgot what I asked for.”

I frowned and looked over my shoulder at the orc standing at the bar. “Romarod, what the hell are you doing here?” I snapped my hands to my waist, giving him a glare down.

The rougeish orc had chapped cheeks today and his hair was tied back rather than its usual long, messy locks. “Trying to find some respite you cheeky brat,” he laughed.

“You’re the brat,” I scoffed. “Young fellow like you ought to know how to talk to his elders.”

His gray eyes looked me up and down and his tongue glided over his gold capped tusk. “But do you have what I asked for?”

I slapped the meat pie down upon the counter for him. “Like your ma used to make?”