“A day late, if you’re keepin’ track o’ such things!” Blom called to his brother as the front door of the Ragged Maiden groaned open and all the barrels of wine rolled on in, followed by Glen himself.

“Aye let’s be thankful I got the order at all,” grumbled Glen. He sighed heavily and started rollin’ the barrels through the back way and into the storage room/pantry area. One of Heemee’s Hired Hands had come along and was helping. Blom didn’t know his name because the writer of this scene forgot it.

“Haul it in,” Blom said, “and let’s get ‘er in ‘em.”

“What’s that mean?” Glen asked while hunched over and rolling the wine down the hall like a bale of hay.

“It’s just a thing. Now let’s get ‘er in ‘em.”

Glen shook his head and disappeared around the corner. He emerged a moment later to grab another barrel of wine. He was a good fifteen years or so younger than Blom so still had reasonable use of his physical powers.

Later, when things had slowed down and the wine was all stocked in nicely, Blom and Glen were sittin’ smokin’ their t’backers out on the back porch. Autumn air was turnin’ fierce this time of night and Blom had offset its icy chill with a coupla gabbin’ lanterns and torches which cast the porch in a soft, warm glow.

The sky contained a sparkling collection of tiny stars, all twinkling like quiet dancers on a field of indigo. The sky this time o’ year was always a worthwhile sight, just a vision for the dreamers among us. Gilba Gilba quieted down to a mere whisper on account of the Autumn Storms. It would stay this way throughout the winter. Blom liked it.

“Lemme ask ya, Glen, because you know I have to soon or late,” Blom announced.

“Aye I know what it’s gonna be,” said Glen immediately.

“Well where ya been these last few weeks? Gack and I, well we be scannin’ the forest and fields almost every night wonderin’ what’s gotten in to your sense of explorin’.”

“Out n’ about,” replied Glen, drawing on his t’backer and blowing the smoke straight up.

“Aye, and it’s Autumn Storm season now and gettin’ caught up in the Madman’s Mountains this time o’ year ain’t the clearest idea to come outta your head.”

Glen chuckled and didn’t know how to respond, so he didn’t and let Blom carry the dialogue.

“Them Jibberjabs vanished for good reason and we don’t need another Kajuhicky Incident, you understand me?” Blom paused and then continued. “It’s been a quiet five years and I’m aimin’ to keep that streak alive. No sense in bringin’ the past to Gilba Gilba.”

“Aye.”

Blom squinted at his brother. “The past stays in the Crown, I ‘spect you’ll agree with me on that account, aye? No sense grabbin’ the king’s attention.”

“Aye.”