Cade Stormhollow was not against nudism.
In fact, in most instances, he encouraged it. Beauty came in all forms, and it was also really, really, difficult to hide a dagger with nothing on.
That said, he was wholly unprepared for the handsome man who—with hardly anything on save for a small towel around his waist—came barreling toward him. A commotion followed in the wake of the man, and Cade noted the glint of steel and the heavy clomp of boots turning off a nearby road.
Before Cade could react, the discreet nudist slammed into Cade as he leaned against the edge of the fountain. Bunny leaped off Cade’s shoulder in the nick of time. The man’s towel, meanwhile, flew off right before their two forms fell into the large pond.
With a yell of shock, Cade was submerged into the magical waters that cascaded down in a mesmerizing, prismatic display. Cade was briefly distracted by the glowflakes embedded in the waterfall’s base. For a few breathtaking heartbeats, all he could see was the glowing minerals as they shimmered with a myriad of colors, painting the water around him with an ethereal light.
Then reality returned in a rush as the hairy man pulled Cade deeper into the water. A tightness clutched around Cade’s chest as he struggled to hold his breath. Blackness started to creep into his vision, replacing the color with utter nothingness. Seconds passed. Bubbles escaped from his lips like prisoners in a jailbreak.
He couldn’t breathe.
Just as unconsciousness was about to swallow him up whole, he was pulled back up and into the revitalizing warmth of the sun and air. Cade gasped and scrambled out of the fountain.
Every curse he knew flew from his tongue like the descent of a lich’s whip. Strangely, the man remained submerged. Moments later, Elysian guards rushed past, their armor clanking as they shouted for a thief to stop. His breathing calmed. Orro placed a hand on his bicep, eyes filled with concern. Cade waved him off with a nod and watched as over a dozen armored warriors passed.
Cade—ever the opportunist—forced himself to casually lounge with his chin propped on his palms as he sat on the fountain’s edge, his demeanor relaxed and nonchalant. One guard stumbled in shock when they saw him, but they eventually waved a hand and grunted, clearly off to fry some bigger fish.
Speaking of fish, Cade thought with a wry grin.
He shoved his arm down and pulled up the wet mass of luscious brown curls. Water sprayed in every direction as the very naked man stood and shook out his hair like he was some freshly created god of beauty.
“Good grief,” Elena muttered as she took in the newcomer in all of his glory.
Cade didn’t miss how, despite her objection, she didn’t look away. Orro placed a protective hand over Rayka’s eyes.
“Gods, Or! I’m not a child!” Rayka cursed and tried to shove the hand away, but he was much stronger than her. She grumbled incoherently but, after a moment, surrendered.
Cade nodded his thanks to Orro and turned to address the man, who sauntered to the edge of the pool.
Every piece of him was out there.
“Excuse me, lad? Mind handing me my towel over there?” He asked Jer in the most succulent bass voice Cade had ever heard.
Jer blushed but did as the man requested.
“Thanks for the cover,” the man said, shaking yet more water from his hair before he took the proffered towel.
He lazily tied it around his waist again and stepped out of the fountain. Cade followed suit but placed a hand on the guy’s shoulder. Near them, a clocktower chimed twelve times, indicating that it was noon. Cade reached into his pocket, and his brow furrowed at what he found there.
Cade grinned, but his voice was all business. “Don’t mention it. Now, care to share why you took a dip in the city center? I can’t imagine it had anything to do with the dozen guards sprinting through the square like Death was on their heels.”
The man hesitated, then shrugged. He tried for a charming smile, but it was child’s play compared to what Cade could produce when he needed it.
At least, that’s what Cade told himself.
“I was having a lovely time with a noblewoman. Truly, she was a gem. She told me she was a lonely widow overcome by grief. Naturally, I had to comfort her.” He clutched a hand to his chest and faced the sky as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. “Turns out, her very-much-alive husband didn’t appreciate my—ahh—company. He even had the gall to call me a thief of all things!” The man protested.
He put his hands on both of his hips and shook his head in offense.
“Did you steal anything?” Orro inquired in a flat tone.
Rayka used the distraction to get out from under his grasp.
“Well,” The man continued while he rubbed the back of his neck. “A few of their nick-nacks might’ve caught my fancy, my darkly dressed friend. How was I to know that the little gold stamp on her desk was the house seal? Anyway, it was in the way as we—” He cleared his throat when he saw Cade and Orro raise their eyebrows in a quiet threat. “—comforted each other.”
Elena barked out a laugh and approached with a skeptical look. “Someone like you, wooing a noblewoman? I find that hard to believe.”
The man smirked. “I have a special way with women. I just know what they want.”
The way he said it sent alarm bells ringing in Cade’s mind. He checked his pocket again and got the confirmation he needed. As casually as he could, the young thief’s eyes narrowed as he wrung out a portion of his shirt. “You know just what they want, huh? Does your instinct only work on women?”
The man’s smirk faltered. “Who said anything about that?”
Orro, who had been quietly observing, stepped behind the man, blocking any chance of escape. “We’re not idiots. You slipped up.”
“I’m sure you have a lot of natural charm. Hells, we all saw what you’re working with. But I think Elena here is right. Noblewomen don’t invite paramours into their houses. You’re a telepath, aren’t you?” Cade demanded with a cheeky grin.
“Paramours?” Elena teased. “Seriously?”
“Go read a book, El. You’ll learn all kinds of new words,” Cade retorted, though his eyes never left the drenched man before him.
“Oh, I read plenty, Cade. But unlike you, I prefer the stuff you can’t share without blushing.”
Elena’s smile bordered on evil when Cade’s cheeks turned crimson.
“Anyway, what say you? Are you a telepath, or just really good in the sack?” Cade asked again.
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This time, Orro made a show of resting a hand on the pommel of his sword. In an adorable attempt to look intimidating, Bunny likewise narrowed his eyes and glared up at the stranger from his perch on the edge of the fountain.
The man sighed, realizing he was cornered. “Alright, fine. Yes, I’m a telepath. But I’m just fine with the other thing, too. Besides, you really shouldn’t know this about me. How did you know?” He looked around nervously, his eyes scanning the meandering crowd.
“Relax,” Cade said with a reassuring smile. “We’re not here to expose you. As the gods would have it, we’re actually looking for a telepath. Also, next time you feel an attuned focal stone in someone’s pocket, maybe don’t test out its limits with your mind mid-conversation.”
“Ahhh, so that was yours? Apologies. None of you seem to be born with this accursed gift.” The man gulped. “What’d you do with your old telepath?”
“We’re offering a deal,” Cade replied smoothly, ignoring the question. “You help us, and we help you.”
The man considered this for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m a member of a prestigious thieving guild. I don’t need your help.”
Elena laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. “Nice try. If you were part of a guild, you wouldn’t be running half-naked through the streets. You’d have used one of their hiding holes instead.”
The man’s expression darkened. “Alright, I may not be as high up the pecking order as others like me, but that hardly matters.”
“Oh, I think it matters quite a lot, actually,” Cade countered. He squeezed the man’s shoulder reassuringly. “Because it means you’re open to some collaboration. But why would any of the thieving guilds in town not want you around? Surely, it’s not because of your clothing choices?”
He hesitated for a long moment. Bunny jumped up and nuzzled Cade’s neck.
The man gulped again. “No one wants me for long contracts because of… health issues.”
Cade’s interest was piqued. “Health issues?”
The man hesitated before admitting, “I have… episodes. Makes it hard to maintain trust.”
Cade’s mind worked quickly. “We can work around that. But first, let’s get you some clothes. What’s your name?”
The man hesitated again before finally saying, “Gavin O’Rourke.”
Cade nodded. “Alright, Gavin. I’m Cade Stormhollow. Let’s get you sorted.”
“Alright, but I have three conditions.” Gavin listed them off on his fingers before anyone could argue. “One, I choose the clothes. I have standards and a reputation to uphold, current textile notwithstanding. Two, you are buying me pastries. And three, I only do day-jobs. If you’re planning a job that requires the cover of darkness, you might as well give up now.”
“Done,” Cade agreed with elation, and he wrapped his arms around the man despite Gavin being nearly a head taller than the young thief.
Rayka stepped in line next to Elena and whispered conspiratorially, “Pastries?”
Elena shrugged. “Maybe they’re sexy pastries? Or just really good?”
The two of them giggled as Gavin led them to a nearby shop, where they procured some simple, yet refined clothing topped off by the gaudiest scarf Cade had ever laid eyes on. Reluctantly, he coughed up the coins to pay, and soon they were off again. As they walked, Cade kept the conversation light, probing for more information without seeming too eager.
With his crew close behind and Bunny on his shoulder, Cade followed Gavin through a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, the sounds of the bustling city fading into a softer murmur. They arrived at a small, unassuming shop with a wooden sign hanging above the door that read “The Hearth and Crumb.” The aroma of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries wafted out, enveloping them in a warm, inviting embrace.
The interior of the bakery was a delightful contrast to its modest exterior. The walls were lined with shelves that displayed an array of colorful pastries and breads, each one more intricate and scrumptious than the last. The warm glow from the hearth cast a cozy light over the space, highlighting the craftsmanship of the baked goods.
Behind the counter stood a burly dwarf, his thick arms and chest covered in a fine layer of flour. He worked with intense concentration, pulling a tray of golden biscuits from the large stone oven.
Above the furnace was a heavy metal plate inscribed with the words “the forge.” The heat from the oven gave his face a ruddy glow, and his eyes sparkled with pride as he inspected each perfectly baked pastry.
Beside him, a tall, muscular orc woman delicately piped intricate designs onto a row of éclairs. Her fingers moved with surprising grace and precision, turning each pastry into a work of art. Her eyes, sharp and focused, softened as she glanced at the growing line of patrons eagerly awaiting their orders.
“Be right with ya!” She yelled over the crackling fire and din of the cramped, yet cozy, atmosphere.
The bakery was filled with a mix of people: an elderly elf couple sharing a pot of tea, a group of giggling human children pointing excitedly at the colorful macarons, and a well-dressed gnome who appeared to be a regular, chatting amiably with the orc woman about the latest batch of sweet rolls.
Bunny perched on Cade’s shoulder with barely restrained greed. The tiny dragon inhaled deeply, and his bright emerald eyes widened with delight. He chirped excitedly, his little claws digging into Cade’s flesh just enough for the young thief to remove the dragonling from his perch and coddle him in his arms.
Cade winced at the tiny marks in his skin, but chuckled all the same. “Alright, alright. I promised you the best, didn’t I?”
When they reached the front of the line, the dwarf behind the counter smiled broadly. “What can I get for you all?”
Cade flashed a charming smile. “We’ll take a platter of your finest pastries for my friend here.”
“You’ve got good taste, lad,” the dwarf grunted. “These are the best in Elysia.” The shopkeep pulled together the assortment of pastries with practiced ease.
Gavin, who watched the bizarre interaction with mild amusement, shook his head. “I thought dragonlings only ate meat.”
Cade’s grin faded by a small breadth. “That’s a stereotype perpetuated by ignorant bastards who don’t know the first thing about dragons. Dragons are people too, Gavin. What you kill isn’t who you are.”
Jer coughed to hide the wild cackle that bubbled up his throat.
The orc woman smiled, her tusks glinting in the warm light. “A dragonling with a taste for sweets? I’ll make sure to add a few extra treats just for him. Us carnivores need to stick together!”
“I’m so confused,” Gavin breathed while he watched the odd exchange.
Bunny practically vibrated with excitement as the platter was placed before him. Scaled tail wagging through the air like a tiny whip, he dove in immediately, savoring each bite with an expression of pure bliss. Cade watched him with a fond smile, feeling a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives.
As they settled at a small table, the rich scents and warm atmosphere of the bakery provided a temporary sanctuary. Cade took a bite of a flaky, honey-drizzled pastry, the flavors exploding in his mouth. He closed his eyes, relishing the moment.
“This place is incredible,” he said to Gavin, who was already halfway through a cinnamon roll. “How did you find it?”
Gavin shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I have a knack for finding hidden gems. Plus, the owners are friends of mine.”
Cade nodded, appreciating the break from their usual hustle. The Hearth and Crumb was more than just a bakery; it was a reminder of the small joys that could be found even in the most unexpected places.
As they continued to enjoy their pastries, the dwarf and the orc worked seamlessly together, their camaraderie evident in their synchronized movements and shared laughter. The other patrons, too, seemed to bask in the warmth and comfort of the bakery, their conversations and laughter creating a harmonious backdrop to the delightful experience.
For a brief moment, Cade allowed himself to relax, to enjoy the simple pleasure of a perfectly baked pastry and the company of friends. The world outside might be filled with danger and uncertainty, but here, in the heart of the Hearth and Crumb, there was peace.
Peace that couldn’t last.
“Look, Gavin, we need a telepath for the Tournament. You clearly need a team that can handle a few...complications. Join us, and we can help each other out.”
“Are you insane?!” Gavin balked. “Not a chance. I’m not walking into certain death, thank you very much.”
Cade grinned. “Let’s be honest, you’re a fugitive. We could just as easily turn you in.”
Gavin’s eyes widened, and he held up his hands defensively. “Whoa there! Fugitive is such a strong word. I prefer ’misunderstood freelancer.’”
All of them save Bunny pinned Gavin with a flat look.
He groaned in defeat. “Fine, yes I’ll join your team. But my fee won’t be cheap.”
Cade put out his hand, and they clasped forearms. “That’s fine. We’ll negotiate. But for now, welcome to the team, Gavin O’Rourke.”
As they shook, Cade felt a strange sense of optimism. With Gavin’s telepathic abilities, they might actually have a chance in the Tournament. And if nothing else, their new teammate promised to make things interesting.
“Now to find two random fools dumb enough to join our team before sunset. What could go wrong?” Cade mused as he lifted another honey-coated slice of heaven to his mouth.
So much.
So much could go wrong.
What's Your Take On This Totally Normal Recruitment Process?
